Nááts'íilid Initiative

Our mission is to strengthen the cultural and economic resilience of Dinétah through self-reliance initiatives in the built environment. We envision integrating Navajo teachings and building practices and fostering interpersonal connections between the place and the place makers. These sets of ideas are fundamental to our approach to community development and design.

The Nááts'íilid Initiative is an indigenous-led, coalition-driven 501-c3 Community Development Collaborative established in 2021 in Chilchinbeto, Dennehotso and Kayenta Chapters of Dinétah (Navajo Nation). Our team is comprised of design and construction professionals, scholars, educators, and community activists. We bring together Navajo Nation leaders, local knowledge keepers, local entrepreneurs, infrastructural engineers, and tribal administrators. The goal of all these partnerships is to elevate the agency of the Navajo community and cultivate self-reliance through intergenerational knowledge exchange.

::::SWEAT EQUITY HOMES PROJECT (SEHP)::::

In Fall 2023, our first SEHP construction started. Project Bluejay is a home for a family of 11 in Dennehosto, AZ. The house explores the use of earthen building traditions in conjunction with simple conventional wood construction as a way to preserve Diné traditions through modern techniques while also addressing the critical need for affordable housing that is simple to construct for both homeowners and the local workforce. In addition, the construction site serves as a real-world, hands-on learning lab that provides unique experiences with the Diné informed construction process that could never be replicated in a traditional classroom.

In Spring 2024 to Fall 2024, we will be offering FREE workshops to our local communities. Workshops include:
1. Off-Grid Residential Water system, with Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater installation Workshop (SPRING 2024)
2. Rammed Earth Hearth Design and Installation workshop (SPRING 2024)
3. Light Clay Straw Infill Workshop (Summer 2024)
4. Earthen Plaster Workshops (Early Fall 2024)
5. Diné Cultural Kitchen Community Co-Design Workshop (Summer 2024)
6. Diné Cultural Kitchen Installation (Fall 2024)