Travel the Trails

Trip 16: NR-64 East: Chinle to Tsaile

26 miles (42 km) from Chinle to Tsaile

Disclaimer: NANACT trip guides are based on information from Native Roads: The Complete Motoring Guide to the Navajo & Hopi Nations, 2nd Edition by Fran Kosik (Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2005). Some information may have changed since the publication of the book. While NANACT will attempt to maintain current information, consider verifying the current operation/existence of businesses, accommodations, dining and similar interests before planning your trip.

Scenic & Historic:

Mile 25 (40.2 km) Diné College

This was the first tribally controlled community college in the United States, founded in 1968 by an act of Congress. Today there are twenty-nine tribal colleges. The college philosophy is Sá ah Naasgháí Bik'eh Hózhóón. It summarizes the Navajo philosophy of life that places all human beings in harmony with the earth and the universe. The entire campus is laid out like a giant hogan, designed to promote the philosophy of hozhoo (harmony). As in a hogan, the buildings used for sleeping, eating, living, and spiritual well-being are in traditionally prescribed locations on the campus. Medicine men blessed the campus with white corn meal and yellow corn pollen during the groundbreaking ceremony, representing the four footprints of the Navajo people. The logo of the college is an arrowhead within a yé’ii rainbow. The arrowhead stands for protection from danger, and the rainbow represents harmony with all creation.

Ned Hatathli Museum and Gallery

Open 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed weekends and holidays. On the third and fourth floors of the six-story glass hogan is a wonderful museum that explains the history of the Navajo people with displays of cultural artifacts and local artists’ work.

On the second floor is a beautiful sanctuary in the shape of a hogan. Its dirt floor is actually connected to the earth by a chimney that extends through all six floors to the sky. The walls of the anteroom leading to the hogan depict the history of the Navajo people. They were handpainted by Paul Willeto, longtime art instructor at the college.

The gallery on the third floor offers an array of local handcrafted silver jewelry, rugs, purses, pillows, concho belts, and books. All proceeds from the sale of items in the gallery support the work of the college.

R. C. Gorman Library Collection

World-renowned Navajo artist R. C. Gorman donated his personal library collection to Diné College in 2003 in honor of his late parents. Included in the collection are believed to be the earliest Navajo Christian hymns, translated by Gorman’s grandmother into Navajo. Also entrusted to the college is his father’s Congressional Medal of Honor. Carl Gorman was recognized for his service during World War II as one of the Navajo Code Talkers.

Accommodations (Hotels/Camping/RV Parks):

Tsaile area – Lodging

Dine College Dormitory

Rooms with two single beds and a shared bathroom are available to tourists. It’s a good idea to bring your own towels and soap. You can make reservations by calling the residence director at (928) 724-6782 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It may be difficult to get a room during the academic semesters, which run from around the middle of August to the middle of December, and from the middle of January to the beginning of May every year. Summer school begins in early June and lasts through August. Dormitory vacancies are most likely during the summer.

Tours:

Food & Dining:

Tsaile

Dine College Cafeteria

Meals are available only when school is in session. The cafeteria is open only 7–8 a.m., 11:30 a.m.– 1 p.m. and 5–6 p.m. A snack bar is open all day during the school year.

Services (Auto/Gas/Repair/Emergency):

Art & Culture (Galleries/Trading Posts/Museums):

Ned Hatathli Museum and Gallery

Open 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed weekends and holidays. On the third and fourth floors of the six-story glass hogan is a wonderful museum that explains the history of the Navajo people with displays of cultural artifacts and local artists’ work. All proceeds from the sale of items in the gallery support the work of the college.

Dine College Bookstore

Excellent collection of Native American books and T-shirts. Open 8 a.m.– noon and 1–5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Permissions

• Trip information is condensed with permission from Native Roads: The Complete Motoring Guide to the Navajo and Hopi Nations, by Fran Kosik, Rio Nuevo Publishers, Tucson, Arizona, 2005. Trip numbers generally coincide with chapter number in the book. Fran's full book contains much more wonderful information on traveling our Native roads. For more detailed information, the book can be purchased from:

  Museum of Northern Arizona bookstore, 3101 N. Ft. Valley Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001; phone #: 928-774-5213 or direct 928-774-5211 + Ext 261. Or, contact the publisher, Rio Nuevo Publishers, PO Box 5250, Tucson, Arizona 85703; phone #: 520-623-9558 or 800-969-9558. Trip numbers generally correspond to chapter numbers.