A year in community: From chapter houses and classrooms to fairs, ceremonies and kitchens, a look back at community life across the Navajo Nation

Posted by Donovan Quintero | Dec 26, 2025 | Community |

Throughout 2025, the Navajo Times’ Community section documented daily life across the Navajo Nation, from chapter houses and classrooms to fairs, ceremonies, kitchens and public gatherings. Rather than centering on a single defining moment, the coverage followed how communities moved through the year, responding to challenge, marking milestones and carrying forward long-standing practices. Taken together, the stories form a record of presence, responsibility and continuity shaped by the people at the center of them.

January – Community life begins the year at home

The year began in Klagetoh, Arizona, with New Year’s Eve shoe games that filled the chapter house late into the night. Families arrived together, elders watched closely and players leaned in with quiet focus as yucca balls were hidden beneath blankets. The scene captured more than a game. It reflected a shared rhythm of laughter, patience and competition that marked the transition into the new year. Photographs from the night showed children sitting alongside grandparents, highlighting how these gatherings continue to serve as informal classrooms where younger generations learn by watching.

In Window Rock, the opening of Tyra Jeff’s Mother’s Coffee brought a different kind of gathering space into focus. The new storefront marked a milestone for a young Diné business owner who previously operated a mobile coffee setup in Twin Lakes, New Mexico. The opening day drew steady traffic from nearby offices, vendors and residents moving through the area. Reporting on the business detailed the practical steps involved in moving from a truck to a permanent location, including renovations, community support and long hours. It also showed how small businesses can become social hubs in places where public gathering spaces are limited.

To read the full article, please see the Dec. 26, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.