UNIFORM GUIDELINES

Band shirt:  Official NNB shirt is Navy Blue.  Shirt must be clean, patches sewn on approximately one inch below the shoulder seam.  Make sure the patches are aligned properly to the shirt.  The Navajo Nation seal will be on the right sleeve and Horned moon patch will be on the left.  Sleeves are not to be rolled up or pushed up.  The bottom of the shirt must be left untucked.

White pants:   Levi’s 501, button up style.  No designs on the stitching.  No carpenter pants.  Clean and pressed with a crease, hemmed to the proper length (no stacking.)  No baggy / oversized pants or Capri style pants.  A belt is recommended with your pants to keep them from sagging.

Navajo style jewelry:  At a minimum:  silver Concho belt, necklace, and pin.  Additional jewelry, in good taste, may be added.  No excessive amounts of jewelry.  No sash belts.  Percussionists with a carrier do not need a necklace unless you are at a “sit-down” performance.   No non-Navajo style pins (i.e. enamel pins.)

Hair:  If hair is long enough, Navajo-style bun (tsii yeel) “string tie” with clean white yarn.  No other handmade or commercial hair adornments, please.  No glitter in hair.

Headbands:  For men (even those with a tsii yeel,) white, clean, and pressed.  Knot must be on the right side of the head.

T-shirt:  May be worn under the uniform shirt.   Must not be visible at the neck, V-neck style is suggested.  This includes the bottom of the t-shirt as well and should be tucked in.

Black socks:   Solid black in color.  No designs (even when wearing moccasins.)                         

Black shoes:    Solid black in color.  Oxford style, polished, sole must also be solid black, no excessive large buckles (No suede, canvas, high-heeled, platform or thick sole, tennis shoes, sandals or open toed shoes.)  Shoes must be lace-up.

Moccasins:   Navajo Style.  Reddish brown with light tan sole.  No visible straps, beads, or designs.  Sole inserts are recommended.

Pouches:   Must be solid black in color, leather with narrow strap and functional; that is able to hold music and other needed supplies.  Worn with strap from left shoulder to right hip.  Decoration limited to handmade silver details.   No excessive designs.

Personal Appearance:  No hickies aka “coral necklaces.”  No obvious and/or facial piercings.

No inappropriate or dark sunglasses.  Slender, barely discernable frames with the lightest tint (gray only) are acceptable.  Prescription lenses that change in sunlight are also acceptable.

Other conditions not mentioned on this list, and without approval, will not be allowed.

Uniform checks will be conducted.  If your uniform is not in compliance with these rules, you will be given a chance to make immediate changes.  However, failure to adhere to or follow the uniform guidelines, when you are at a public appearance, on duty and in full official uniform, may result in your non-participation and no claim for per diem and mileage; and may also result in and/or contribute to your placement on probation.

These guidelines are for your information and must be strictly followed in respect for your fellow members as set forth by your peers as a group.  We, the Navajo Nation Band, are representatives of the Navajo Nation and acknowledge and understand that our appearance reflects upon our Navajo Nation government, people, traditions and culture.

06/23/09