05/21/2026
๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ญ๐ $๐ญ๐ต๐ญ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ก ๐๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ก๐ฬ ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก (๐ฌ๐ฑ/๐ฎ๐ญ/๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ)
CROWNPOINT, N.M. โ The Navajo Department of Health (NDOH), through the Division of Aging and Long-Term Care Support (DALTCS), proudly joined Dinรฉ elders, families, caregivers, senior center staff, and community leaders today for the Crownpoint Agency Celebration of the Older Americans Act at Navajo Technical University. The event, themed โChampion Your Health,โ honored the strength, wisdom, and lifelong contributions of Navajo elders while promoting wellness, healthy aging, and community connection.
The celebration brought together senior centers and participants from across the Crownpoint Agency for a full day of cultural presentations, wellness activities, traditional songs, entertainment, games, and community recognition. The program featured a grand entry led by the Casamero Lake Veterans Color Guard, a Blue Bird Blessing and fashion show, regional wellness activities, and presentations highlighting the lasting impact of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and its continued role in supporting elders across the Navajo Nation.
Through programs and events like todayโs celebration, DALTCS continues to serve elders across all five Navajo agencies through a network of 81 senior centers, many of which support multiple surrounding communities. These centers provide nutritious meals, wellness and traditional cultural activities, social engagement opportunities, transportation assistance, and supportive services that help elders maintain healthy and independent lives within their communities.
โThis gathering reflects the spirit of Navajo Healing Navajo by honoring the elders who carry our teachings, strength, and prayers,โ said NDOH Executive Director Sherylene Yazzie. โOur precious elders are the foundation of our Nation, and we remain committed to surrounding them with compassion, respect, and the support they deserve so they can continue living healthy, connected lives within our Tribal communities.โ
NDOH staff and DALTCS personnel coordinated the event alongside community partners, including Navajo Technical University, Cellular One, local senior centers, and veteransโ groups. Activities throughout the day encouraged wellness and fellowship, bringing together hundreds of Dinรฉ grandmas and grandpas and their families in celebration of Older Americans Month.
Last week, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed a proclamation at the Twin Lakes Senior Center officially recognizing May 2026 as โNavajo Grandma & Grandpa Month,โ honoring Dinรฉ elders for their lifelong contributions and dedication to preserving the Navajo language and traditional values. The proclamation also recognized the importance of the Older Americans Act of 1965 and its continued role in supporting elder services and senior center programs throughout the country.
โOur elders are the heart of the Navajo Nation and the reason our language, teachings, and traditions continue to live on today,โ said President Nygren. โLike many Dinรฉ families, I was raised with the love and guidance of my own grandma, and those teachings continue to guide me every day. Caring for our elders is a responsibility we all share, which is why we prioritized historic investments in our senior centers and elder services. Our grandmas and grandpas deserve to age with dignity, support, and access to the services they need within our great Nation.โ
In 2024, with the support of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, President Nygren approved $191 million in Sรญhasin funding for senior centers and elder services across the Navajo Nation. Since then, NDOH has reopened 23 senior centers, including Tohatchi, Nazlini, Jeddito, and St. Michaels, which recently completed a $6 million renovation.
Additional reopenings are planned for Coyote Canyon and Mexican Springs in the coming months as the department works toward restoring full operations at all centers in 2026 and expanding home-based elder services by 20 percent.
Earlier this year, President Nygren joined elders and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the new Tuba City Senior Center, marking the completion of the long-awaited 5,060-square-foot facility. Then in April, the president also signed Resolution No. CAP-27-26 into law, securing more than $7.4 million from the Sรญhasin Fund for construction of the new Ramah Navajo Senior Citizens Center.
The celebration concluded with recognition of regional senior center staff, song and dance performances, and a special door prize drawing of two hand-woven blankets honoring Older Americans Month. The Casamero Lake Veterans Color Guard retired the colors with a blessing way song calling for the continued protection and wellbeing of the elders in attendance.
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