Alcoholism on the Navajo Nation

Kennedy Posey
Department of Applied Indigenous Studies, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona USA

Background Discussion and Conclusion

Since the day alcohol was introduced to Native Americans . It has been
a major issue and concern to many Native American reservations
because of how many use alcohol as a coping mechanism due to the
historical trauma due to the Boarding School, Termination, and
Relocation Era. Which these eras have made its way into destroying
their culture, language, and daily lifestyle. Alcohol has taken control a lot
of lives by damaging their health and taking away the meaning of being
Native American. It has created a new stereotype and identity, which as
we call today, the “Drunken Indian.” In my project, I hope not to just
explain the issue of alcohol on the reservation. Specifically the Navajo
Nation, but to also explain methods of ways to fix this occurring issue
of alcohol. Especially focusing on Indigenous methods like bringing in
cultural methods like ceremony practices of healing to get a better
understanding of the Indigenous prospective, rather than the Western
ideas of solutions to helping Native Americans with alcoholism.

The Dry Policy vs. The Wet Policy

Facts and History of the Navajo Nation Pros Pros
-It reduces the availability of alcohol.
-It could reduce the consumption of alcohol within -Practice of safe drinking among the
● The Navajo Nation is made up of 27,413 miles. the community. community
-Allows the tribes to regulate alcohol on
● A population of 356,890 Cons their nation
-A high demand for bootleggers -Allows tribes to TAX alcoholic beverages
-Underage drinking
● In 1540, Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the region and found -Increase of bordertown violence, homelessness, Cons
Case Study and death of the Native populations. -Can still increase crime rates like domestic
the Navajo, Acoma, Hopi and Zuni people. ● Gallup, NM is one of the main border towns that connect to the Navajo Nation. -Increased crime rates domestic violence, drunk driving and other
-Harm of tribal economy. violent crimes.
This bordertown has made a name for itself as the “Drunken town, USA”
● In 1832, Congress passed a law that prohibits the sale of alcohol to
● A population of 21,960
Native Americans ● 39 Liquor licenses
● “Gallup has about 19 alcohol establishments per 10,000 people” Solutions
● In 1933, Roosevelt ended prohibition ● The Gallup police department receives about 22,000 calls in a year. With 95% of Solutions that the Navajo Nation can take into consideration are by using the Dine
those calls being alcohol related
● In 1953, Prohibition law are deemed ineffective. culture to cleanse these individuals and have them reach self reliance. Examples
include:
● Sweat lodges for cleansing
● Dine healing ceremonies
● Navajo Nation Peacemaking court

References General solutions for the Navajo Nations would be:

Ap. (2015, December 22). New Mexico's annual tragedies: Dying cold, alone and drunk in a field. Retrieved from
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alcoholism-hypothermia-deadly-recurring-navajo-new-mexico/
● Prevention and Intervention Programs
Estes, N. (2017, April 19). 'Blood Money': Life and Death in Gallup, NM. Retrieved from
https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/blood-money-life-and-death-in-gallup-nm-iH8U5802bE6gg_hKLuAYRw/ ● Rehabilitation Centers that are close to homes
Landry, A. (2016, March 14). Drunk Town, USA: The Ditch Patrol Trying to Save Drunks in Gallup, New Mexico. Retrieved from
https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/archive/drunk-town-usa-the-ditch-patrol-trying-to-save-drunks-in-gallup-new-mexico-PFMGU
● Educating the youth about the harm of alcohol and what impacts it could cause
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● Legalizing alcohol
• Native American Nations & State Alcohol Policies: An Analysis. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.nabca.org/native-american-nations-state-alcohol-policies-analysis
● Access to counseling
• ● Eliminate the stereotype of the “Drunken Indian”