Ya'at'eeh! Welcome to the Navajo Nation Band (NNB) group page. In the early 1920's young Navajo musicians exposed to early regimental march music in boarding schools carried on their passion, training and music education to become one of few Native American marching units that exist today. Appearances in the band's history include many major events across the United States. In the 1975 Tournament of Roses Parade, the band performed two original marches composed by the late Jack Lee, Sr. (University of Arizona), "Shinaasha" (Beauty Way) and "The '76 Bicentennial Salute". The band also performed at two US Presidential Inaugural parades in Washington D.C.-- for Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Today, the NNB performs a march repertoire by Sousa, Fillmore and Seitz, etc.; for parades and concerts at events such as the Mescalero Apache Celebration, Mescalero, NM; the Inter-Tribal Ceremonial, Gallup, NM; and at all the Navajo Fairs held across the reservation from July through October. A highlight is the world-famous Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock, AZ during September (1st weekend after Labor Day), celebrating the traditional harvest, an important part of our Navajo culture.

Members are musicians recruited from Arizona, Utah and New Mexico high school and college & university bands within and around the Navajo Nation. Members are age 16 years old to 65+. The NNB operates as a program within the Navajo Division of Human Resources, The Navajo Nation. Mr. Stephen Blatchford, NNB Director, and Mrs. Valerie Harrison, NNB Manager, are the FY2009 Band Administrators. If you are interested in joining the Navajo Nation Band or to request an appearance, contact us via the information below.

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Contact Information:
NAVAJO NATION BAND
c/o Division of Human Resources
Mr. Stephen Blatchford, Band Director
P. O. Box 9000
Window Rock, Arizona 86515
Telephone: (928) 871-6375/6599
Fax: (928) 871-6377

EMAIL: navajonationband@yahoo.com