The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) joined the Azee’ Bee Nahaghá of Diné Nation (ABNDN) for its 60th Annual Convention at the ABNDN Spiritual Site in Chinle, Ariz., from June 18-20, 2026. The theme for the Convention was, “Azee’ Hinaah Dinisingo Bik’ehgo Naasha.”
On June 20, the ABNDN dedicated its new tent, which was made possible through the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services Preserving Navajo Families Initiative.
The dedication was attended by NDCFS Executive Director Thomas Cody, Executive Assistant Amber Morgan, President Buu Nygren and First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren.
Director Cody said that the tent can be used as a gathering space for ABNDN where learning and healing can take place. The NDCFS encourages the concept of, “Culture is Healing.”
The Preserving Navajo Families Initiative was launched in fall 2023 to strengthen families by partnering with faith-based organizations and practitioners. These partnerships help the NDCFS combat the modern-day monsters, or naayéé’, of violence, suicide, substance abuse and missing and murdered Diné relatives, through leadership, social justice, health and safety advocacy, youth involvement, volunteerism, and information dissemination.
In particular, the ABNDN and NDCFS collaborate on cultural sharing, healing and initiatives that provide support and guidance to Navajo families by facilitating community-led workshops, counseling, and spiritual gatherings.
In addition to the tent dedication, NDCFS supported the Youth Sheep Butchering Demonstration during the ABNDN Youth Day on June 18. Director Cody and Morgan were a part of the hands-on demonstration of butchering, preparing, and cooking the meat. The demonstration taught youth about the cultural aspects of sheep in the Diné lifeway, including the sacredness of the animal.
“Sheep are a part of our Navajo economy, from the wool that is woven into a rug to the meat that feeds a family. We learn responsibility, stewardship, and self-sufficiency by herding sheep, shearing their wool, and hearing stories from our elders in our own language. Raising sheep is an important part of our history, our sovereignty, and our strength as Navajo people,” Director Cody said.
On June 19, Morgan was joined by Anthony Begay, program manager of Navajo Treatment Center for Children and Their Families, and Freida White, program manager for Developmental Disabilities Program and the Arizona Long Term Care Services Program, to provide information to Convention attendees on their services.
The participation by NDCFS was supported by the Family Violence and Prevention Services Act (FVSPA) grant, which is one of the programs under the Navajo Nation’s P.L. 102-477 Plan. FVSPA funding may be used to increase public awareness, prevent domestic and dating violence, and provide for specialized services to abused parents and their children.
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