Letters: McKinley is new Miss Round Rock

Ya’ateeh, we have the pleasure of announcing our daughter, Shania McKinley, as the new Miss Round Rock 2015-2016. Our daughter is excited to represent Round Rock Elementary/Junior High School at surrounding events and as parents we are there to support her in every way possible. As her first appearance, she would like to be part of Navajo Nation events throughout the year and to appear at other schools and communities.

Shania is 9 years old and her clans are çshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). Her maternal grandparents are Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass) and her paternal grandparents are Tábaahá.

She would like to express a message to the Navajo Nation to say “Happy Thanksgiving” and a warm, safe holiday with your family, friends and relatives.

Berlinda and Reid McKinley
Round Rock, Ariz.

Thank you sponsors

I would like very much to thank the following individuals for their donation support for the Oct. 17, 2015 Miss Indian New Mexico Pageant in Albuquerque:
LaVerne Johnson of Crystal, N.M., Tsosie Lewis of Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, Kari Vallo and family of Acoma, N.M., and Patrick Sandoval of the Apache County Office in Arizona, who were omitted from the Oct. 29, 2015 Navajo Times advertisement.

Again, thank you to others I may not have included.

Nicole Kahbah Johnny
Miss Indian New Mexico 2014-2015

‘Native Warrior’ sculpture should be placed at veterans park

The 8-foot tall 1,000-pound “Native Warrior” memorial metal bronze sculpture representing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Statue should be placed near the Navajo Code Talker Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock. In the early days, I initiated to achieve the Veterans Memorial Statue “Native Warrior”.

Last year, during my travel across the Navajo Nation, I visited the 110 chapter houses. During my travel to create the “Native Warrior” Memorial Statue, I met with numerous tribal leaders and the Navajo Nation Veterans Organization, and the effort was made to obtain Support Resolution from them in support of creating the “Native Warrior” Memorial Statue.

This is a project spearheaded by me. I am from Tonalea, Ariz., 26 miles northeast of Tuba City, Western Navajo Agency. My clan is Zuni Edge Water, born for Manygoats.

Presenting a conclusion of opinion concerning a proposal to place an 8-foot-tall bronze soldier of an American Indian in a proper place to gain as much exposure and recognition to the fact that many Native Americans died in Vietnam, as well as Caucasians, Blacks, and Hispanic warriors in that war. Giving respect to a proud ethnic group contributing a high percentage of lives to the freedom of America is much overlooked. There is a large empty place for a monument and approval of what Native Americans in America have done in past wars, as well as the present.

I have spent years trying to erect a proud and tall Native American soldier dressed and outfitted in proper equipment for this action. There is a strong design for this purpose ready for enlargement and casting into bronze metal. Even Washington, D.C., is approving placement of a Native American monument in front of a Native American education building near the Vietnam Veterans Wall.

It is believed a copy of this design should be placed at the Navajo headquarters in Window Rock, alongside the figures representing other wars.

Approval of this proposal sent from each chapter house to our many casinos today could provide the financing to produce the completed and greatly needed recognition for the many deserving Gold Star Mothers of these heroes of battle.

Thank you for your wisdom in this matter. The sculptor is ready to make the large soldier appear just as he did in Vietnam.

Floyd Dawson
Tonalea, Ariz.

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