Opposing Legistion That Authorizes The Name Change From Dean C. Jackson Memorial Rodeo Arena to Tina A. Yazzie Memorial Arena

Petition Opposing Legislation No. 0426-04

Relating to Navajo Nation Division of Resources; Navajo Nation Department of Parks and Recreation; Fair Office; Approving the Name Change of the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Rodeo Arena to the Tina A. Yazzie Memorial Arena

We the undersigned oppose the impending legislation attached:

In early August of 1992, two weeks before his death, the late Dr. Dean C. Jackson witnessed the passage of a resolution honoring his life-long contributions to both the field of Indian education and the sport of Indian rodeo by naming the Navajo Nation Fair Rodeo arena, The Dean C. Jackson Arena. Shortly after is death, then President Peterson Zah and the Navajo Nation Council bestowed his memory, by naming the arena the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena.

Dr. Dean C. Jackson was greatly involved with Indian rodeo since its inception on the Navajo Nation. As President, Dr. Jackson was one of the founding fathers of the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association, and further supported the inception of the Navajo Nation Rodeo Cowboys Association, and was a founder of the Indian National Finals Rodeo, where he served as a Commissioner, representing the Navajo Nation and Indian rodeo until the time of his death.

Dr. Dean C. Jackson was a visionary leader who believed strongly and was committed to connecting the traditional Navajo values learned through the rearing and use of cattle, sheep and livestock affiliated with rodeo as a means to further educate Navajo rodeo athletes at the higher education level. Through his belief, he was instrumental as President of Navajo Community College (now Dine College) in developing the still successful rodeo scholarship opportunities at Dine' College. Today, because of his visionary leadership, many educated rodeo athletes have continued to earn higher education degrees through the sport of rodeo.

The legislation proposed is an action we strongly oppose as it serves as a desecration of his life-long service, contributions to the field of Education and Rodeo, and to the professionalism of the Navajo Indian Cowboy. More importantly, such an action will be a true injustice to the memory of a man who represented the Navajo people nationally.