WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. – More than 50 walkers joined the Child Abuse Prevention Walk hosted by the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) and Diné Action Plan partners on April 21, 2026.
Many of the walkers wore blue, the color representing the national movement, or carried blue pinwheels, which is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, as they walked from the Navajo Nation Museum to the Navajo Nation Council Chamber.
At the Council Chamber, speakers included NDCFS Executive Director Thomas Cody, Navajo Treatment Center for Children and Their Families Program Manager Anthony Begay, Department of Family Services staff, and Council Delegates Titus Nez, Dr. Andy Nez, and Germaine Simonson.
Director Cody said his commitment is to the children and families of the Navajo Nation in conducting prevention work. “We’ve always reacted to the situation. Now we’re focusing on prevention,” he said. “Our work is cutting the roots, nayéé’.” Cody said that the Division is working with Diné Action Plan partners and community resources in prevention activities related to the nayéé’, or modern-day monsters, of suicide, substance abuse, violence and missing and murdered Diné relatives.
“In our teachings, children are sacred,” said Delegate Titus Nez. “Our elders remind us that when a child is born, the whole community has a role in nurturing that child.” He emphasized that leaders and community members must speak openly about the issue, no matter how uncomfortable.
“Silence does not protect our children. Action does,” he said. “Prevention begins with awareness, education, and unity. It begins with listening to our children, believing them and creating safe spaces where they can speak without fear.”
Delegate Nez called upon chapters, schools, and service providers to strengthen culturally-based prevention programs that incorporate Diné language, teachings and ceremonies.
Delegate Simonson shared her time at the podium with a young student who spoke out against the use of drugs and alcohol as a preventative measure against child abuse.
The walk represented a show of support for healthy families and a responsibility to speak out against the nayéé’, or modern-day monsters, that hurt Navajo children. NDCFS programs have conducted Child Abuse Prevention Month awareness walks in Tuba City on April 1 and in Chinle on April 15. The Department of Family Services is hosting a walk on April 29 in Kayenta.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed every April to raise awareness, promote prevention, and educate the public about child abuse.
