Navajo Nation Fair 2010

PRESS RELEASE - September 7, 2010

2010 NAVAJO NATION FAIR PARADE TO HONOR THE LATE DEAN C. JACKSON

Window Rock, AZ. September 06, 2010 - In keeping with the educational theme for the 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair, "A journey into a changing world - keeping our teachings in mind", the late Dean C. Jackson, one of the Navajo Nation's most devoted educators, was selected as the Grand Marshall for this year's Navajo Nation Fair Parade. The parade will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010, in Window Rock, Arizona at 9 a.m. Jackson's wife, Mrs. Stephanie Jackson and family will be present to lead Dine College through the parade and will also present the All-Around Cowgirl and Cowboy Award at the completion of the Navajo Nation Rodeo on Sunday, September 12.

Jonathea Crank and LaFrenda Frank, Recruiters of Dine College nominated Dean as the fair parade Grand Marshall to celebrate his role and contributions to Indian education and in establishing Dine College as the first tribal college in Indian Country.

Dean C. Jackson was born in 1933 in Leupp, Arizona to Phillip Chee and Leota Jackson. He was the eldest of a set of identical twins. Dean spent his formative years in Teesto, AZ, until he reached his pre-teen years when he and his twin brother Jack were sent to a 5 year vocational training program at Chilaco Indian School in Anadarko, OK, that was aimed at assimilating Indian youth into mainstream society. Dean later earned a bachelor of science degree in social work from Oklahoma State University as well as an education degree and returned to the Navajo Nation to begin a teaching and coaching career. In 1959, Dean married his wife Stephanie McPherson and they had five children.

Later in his career, Dean worked with the late Robert Roessell to plan and develop Navajo Community College and worked to secure funding for what became the Dine College facility in Tsaile, AZ. In addition, Dean was extremely influential with the Tribal College Acts that now give control and authority to Indian tribes for higher education opportunities. In 1978, Dean was named President of Navajo Community College and held the position for 10 years, the longest presidency in Dine College history. Throughout his career, Dean continued to develop his educational leadership philosophy at the graduate level and implement his educational model, the Dine Philosophy of Learning. Following his time at Dine College, Dean became the Superintendent of the Chine School District and held that position until his untimely death in 1992.

In addition to his love of education, Dean had a genuine love of horses and rodeo. In addition to encouraging Navajo youth to become educated, Dean also assisted in the development of the sport of Indian rodeo on the Navajo reservation and across Indian Country. Dean was one of the founding organizers of the All-Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Indian Nationals Finals Rodeo. Dean was active in rodeo up until his death.

Today, Dean and Stephanie have 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

For more information on the 64th Annual Navajo Nation Fair, please visit: http://www.navajonationfair.com

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