Aunt Helen and Navajo Code Talkers: Oral Histories with Diné Warriors

In this article, I share my journey of learning foundations of Diné kinship and respect by listening to the oral histories of my Aunt Helen and Uncle Albert Smith. In 1968, Helen learned for the first time, along with most Americans, that her husband, Albert, whom she had been married to for about fifteen years, was one of the Navajo Code Talkers. I highlight the history of Navajo Code Talkers through my relatives’ oral histories and their significance to understand such entanglements of the Navajo Nation, the United States, and the world. Most importantly, the oral histories of Navajo Code Talkers, such as those of my Uncle Albert and Uncle George Smith, who also fought in World War II, led me to listen to my Aunt Helen’s oral history. My Aunt Helen’s oral history has illuminated for me Diné teachings and what it means to be a warrior and a good relative who brings people together to care for family and Nihikéyah—homeland. These oral histories of Diné warriors carry teachings for the many generations ahead and show how strength, courage, and respect stem from the enduring love for Nihikéyah, especially in recognizing all relatives and the responsibilities to care for them. Because this is a reflective piece rooted in Indigenous epistemologies, I intentionally do not translate or italicize certain Diné terms, inviting readers to continue their own learning of some Diné language and concepts.