Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa': Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home: A Story of the Navajo Long Walk

by Evangeline Parsons Yazzie, Irving Toddy (Illustrator)

Dzanibaa' is alone when U.S. troops swoop down on her family's hogan. Before she can run to safety, a soldier grabs her and puts her on his horse. She is taken to Fort Canby, and from there is forced to walk to Bosque Redondo. For four long years, Dzanibaa' and her family endure incredible hardship and sacrifice. Crops wither. Food is scarce or so tainted that it poisons. Illness strikes. At times there seems no hope of a better future. Nevertheless, this time of trial gives Dzanibaa' a profound sense of herself as a Navajo and of the importance of her culture. As never before, Dzanibaa' realizes the significance of the clan system, of the prayers and songs of her people, and of exerting herself to help her family. Hear Dzanibaa's story, and discover why she is the Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home.

This children's book is written in both Navajo and English.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 25, 2005

Reviews

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book with an important story inside. It's bilingual, in both Navajo and English, and a perfect read for kids that will keep their attention while teaching them about history. It's compact, so even adults who don't know much about the Long Walk can give this little book a chance.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This moving picture book tells the story of Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa', or Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home, a young Navajo girl who, in the 1860s, is among those captured by U.S. soldiers and forced on a 300-mile march to Fort Sumner. Despite its frank portrayal of the brutality of the soldiers, who shot anyone - the elderly, pregnant women - who couldn't keep up, Yazzie's narrative is more of a tribute to the resilience and courage of the people who endured the "Navajo Long Walk," and the subsequent four years in exile.

Awarded the 2007 Lacapa Honor Prize for Narrative, this bilingual picture book, presented in both Navajo and English, is cited by Oyate's Beverly Slapin as being a necessary "antidote" to other children's books on this topic, from Scott O'Dell's Sing Down the Moon to Ann Turner's The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl . Not having read either of these titles, I am unable to comment upon them, but an examination of the Wikipedia entry for the Navajo Long Walk, in which the death toll is listed as 200, when the actual total is believed to be more like 3,000, is convincing evidence that it isn't just children who need this "antidote."

[Laura Noto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary-
This is a bilingual picture book intended for students from 3rd to 5th grade. It talks about a young girl who is Navajo and kidnapped by U.S. Troops. She was used to capture her family and they, as well as others in their tribe, became prisoners of war. They had to walk over 450 miles to Fort Sumner in northern New Mexico. Then they had to live there for over 3 years. The land was hard to use for crops and they were given insufficient and unfamiliar food from the soldiers. While being prisoners the girl reaches puberty which is a sad event because they couldn’t celebrate it with a homeland ritual. In the end of the book they get to return home and complete their ritual the right way.
Response-
This was a very powerful book. There were a few mature topics (U.S. troops shooting the elderly and sick because they were too slow, the conditions of prisoners, and puberty) but this book could be really influential to the right group of kids. I really felt the characters’ pain. The illustrations are done in a simple but emotional way so you can feel the characters’ fear and pain.
Not only is this book more accurate than some history books, but it really shows the Navajo pride. Throughout the book there are Navajo accents, and authentic pictures of their homes, clothes, and lives. There is also Navajo writing before the English on each page. I like that the author put their language first.
At the end of the book the author makes a note that expresses her feelings on the portrayal of Navajo’s in historical texts. She also describes a few facts and notes that it is important for youth not to be ashamed of their ancestors. She said, “They have a right to be proud to be Naabeeho.” I think that is such a great message. I would point that out to students to teach them that they need to think for themselves, question everything they are presented with, and make their own opinions.

[Marisa Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Parsons Yazzie introduces children to the experience of a Navajo child kidnapped by US soldiers and forced to endure The Long Walk, a relocation program that, to this day, is a critical event in Navajo history and the history of the southwest US. Dzani Yazhi Naazbaa is a little girl who endures the sorrow of displacement and dispossession with her family. The paintings in this picture book center a child's viewpoint. One painting illustrates the tear- and dirt-stricken face of Dzani. Another shows Dzani sitting with other families listening to elders and leaders. The book introduces families to concepts like courage, cultural continuity, resurgence, and relationships with land and peoples in times of displacement and genocide. Appropriate for 6 to 12 years old, and also good for teens and adults seeking context for Navajo religion and geography.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I have been saying this in so many of my reviews lately, but I didn't love the art in this picture book. The story, in both English and Navajo, is a good one, but I don't know that it will appeal to its intended audience. Nonetheless, I am glad that it exists - books like this written by people of the tribes represented are important.

[Loren Toddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book but what makes this book really come to life is the art by Navajo Illustrator Irving Toddy. Great book to look at and share.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting; reads too much like a history book rather than a story.
See Sing Down the Moon by O'Dell for a YA version.

[Nancy Breinholt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story from a child's point if view about the long walk. Written in both English and Navajo.