Fort Defiance elders step forward for Cheii and Másání titles
Naa’ahóóhai | 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair
WINDOW ROCK
Seven elders stepped into the spotlight Sept. 3 at the Navajo Nation Museum to compete for the titles of 2026 Fort Defiance Agency Elder Cheii and Másání.
The winners will be revealed Sept. 10 during the Elder Fest at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds.
The pageant, hosted by the Division of Aging and Long Term Care Support’s Fort Defiance Agency office, drew three men and four women, each competing for a $250 cash prize and a year representing the agency’s senior centers.
Diane Clark-Irving, a DALTCS senior center supervisor who coordinated this year’s pageant, said the coronation is planned for about 10 a.m. at Navajo Square, Tent A. The Elder Fest runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a social song and dance with the Łeeyi’tó Singers, special guest James Bilagody, Aztec dancers, a best-dressed contest, fruit scramble, chair volleyball, raffles and a free noon luncheon for elders.
To read the full article, please see the Sept. 10, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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