WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) celebrated the Fourth of July by honoring Navajo resilience, sharing cultural teachings, and building skills with the next generation at the Youth Resilience Camp.
The Camp featured Cody Jesus and other professional bull riders presenting to youth as part of the Preserving Navajo Families Initiative. They showed the gear that they use in their sport and answered questions from the audience. Hudson Frey, who went on to win the 2026 Cody Jesus Invitational Bull Riding that evening, was one of the special guests who spoke with the youth and met with fans during the Camp.
Some families drove more than three hours to attend the special event, which took place the day of the Invitational on July 4, 2026, at the Navajo Nation Fairgrounds.
Thomas Cody, NDCFS Executive Director, thanked the families for attending. “Our main goal is making sure kids learn something they can use 10 to 20 years from now,” he said.
Freida White, master of ceremony, expressed the importance of sharing the experience with youth. “This is one of those events that we felt was really necessary to bring to our children and families because when you see somebody who has made it to the highest levels of competition, it inspires others to follow that same path,” she said. White is the program manager for the Developmental Disabilities Program and Arizona Long Term Care Services.
Bryce Williams also delivered a profound and captivating presentation on Diné Livestock Teachings, which told the story of how horses, sheep and cows were created. He spoke about how the Twin Warriors defeated the naayéé’ and were given horses by their father Jóhonaa’éí, the Sun. Williams sang the songs that relayed the stories in the Navajo language.
Williams stressed the significance of the Navajo songs, saying that they are a blessing and have a meaning and purpose. The songs tell stories and those stories are teachings that sustain the Navajo people.
“To this day we still practice our culture, our language, our ceremonies,” he said.
NDCFS Deputy Director Sonlatsa Jim encouraged the participants to take the teachings and apply to their lives. She noted the value of sharing the information from the presentations on NDCFS social media to reach those who wanted to learn about the topics but could not attend.
In addition to the Camp, NDCFS and Jesus invited children from Hogan Hozhoni and their caregivers to the Invitational that evening to see the bull riding event firsthand.
Amber Morgan, NDCFS executive administrative assistant, said it was an honor to help coordinate the opportunity for the youth. “Seeing their excitement and knowing they felt welcomed and valued is something I’ll always remember,” she said.
Morgan played a key role in coordinating the Hogan Hozhoni youth’s participation in the Youth Resilience Camp alongside Jesus. Through her coordination, 18 children and 17 staff members were able to attend and enjoy a memorable day of resilience, culture, and community.
Throughout the week leading up to the event, Morgan said she was told the children eagerly asked, “How many more days until the rodeo?”—a testament to how much this experience meant to them.
Morgan’s dedication and attention to detail helped create an opportunity where the youth felt included, valued, and inspired, leaving them with memories they will cherish for years to come.
The NDCFS thanks all partners, resources and staff who made the Youth Resilience Camp a success.
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