PRESS RELEASE - Spetember 14, 2010
CONTACT: Daniel Vandever, Public Information Officer
Phone: 928-810-8510
Email: dwvandever@gmail.com

Photos by Daniel Vandever

Stepanie Jackson is joined by her children and grandchildren during the Navajo Nation Fair Parade on September 11, 2010.

Parade stays true to theme

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – With the 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair’s theme being “A Journey into a Changing World-Keeping our Teaching in Mind,” the late Dean C. Jackson was the perfect representative as the grand marshal for this year’s parade.

In 1978, Jackson became the President of Navajo Community College (now know as Dine’ College), and helped develop and implement an educational model that incorporated Dine’ Philosophy of Learning into modern teaching practices.

“He wanted to make education so Navajo children would feel relevant and want more than what Western society projected,” explained Jackson’s wife, Stephanie Jackson. “He also incorporated that into rodeo.”

“He would say ‘Use your skill in rodeo to get a scholarship so you can get a good education to get a good job so you can rodeo for fun.’”

Jackson believed so much in the Dine’ Philosophy of Learning that he refused to send his children to any other school. All five of his children went to Navajo Community College, and all five excelled after their schooling.

Representing Dean C. Jackson for the parade was his wife Stephanie, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“I’m really pleased that the Navajo Nation chose to recognize his contributions,” stated Stephanie. “We don’t say thank you enough to our people, and I am honored and humbled to represent him.”

This year’s fair had ninety-nine total entries, twenty more than last year’s event. The parade included appearances by President Shirley and both Presidential candidates for the upcoming election.

Winners of the 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair parade include:

Navajo Marching Band (Marching band category)
Apache Crown Dancers (Traditional category)
Miss Central Navajo Pre-teen (Royalty category)
Black Mountain Church (Musical category)
Navajo Fish & Wildlife (Navajo Nation Tribal Divisions)
Sage Memorial (Outside Organization)
Tohaali Community School (Schools & Youth Programs)
AVA Veterans (Veterans & ROTC Programs).

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