Melvatha R. Chee
Melvatha R. Chee, Ph.D., is Tsé Nahabiłnii, Kin Łichíi’nii, Hooghan Łání and Áshįįhí. She is originally from Lake Valley, New Mexico. A fluent Diné speaker, she has over 15 years of experience working professionally with her language. Dr. Chee’s linguistic work focuses mainly on analyzing Navajo child language data. Her primary goal is to look at how Navajo children learn to use the morphologically complex Navajo verb. Her secondary research goal focuses on building a Navajo language corpus. Her additional research interests include morphophonology, polysynthesis, semantics, morphology, first language acquisition, language sustainability, and the intersection between culture and linguistics. Dr. Chee is a United States Marine Corps Veteran and continually maintains a strong connection to her culture in order to enrich her Navajo language skills, knowledge, and wellbeing. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Linguistics and the Director of the Navajo Language Program at the University of New Mexico.
Email: mchee@unm.edu
Lorraine Begay Manavi
Lorraine Begay Manavi is Mą’iideeshgiizhnii, Tł’ááshchí’í, Táchii’nii and Ta’neeszahnii; she defines herself as a Diné woman from Tósidoh, New Mexico. As a Navajo language instructor at the university level, her primary goal is to foster a deep appreciation and understanding of the Diné language and culture amongst her students. She believes that language is not only a means of communication, but also a gateway to heritage culture. Her teaching style emphasizes active participation and practical application; this way, students feel empowered not only within the classroom, but also within their own households and communities.
She is a board member of Navajo Language Renaissance, Navajo Film Festival, and Dine Teacher Language Association.
Email: lmanavi@unm.edu
Barsine Onyenedo
Mrs. Barsine Onyenedo is an enrolled member of the Navajo tribe and comes from Lukachukai, Arizona. Her clans are Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flows Together Clan) and Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan). Her maternal grandfather is of the Áshįįhí (Salt Clan) and her paternal grandfather is of the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Comb Clan). Mrs. Onyenedo has worked in the educational realm for many years. She served as Lead Faculty for Early Childhood Education within the Center for Diné Teacher Education at Diné College for 13 years, promoting language and culture within the birth to 12th grade classrooms. She has also taught a variety of different courses, ranging from kindergarten to higher education, as a Navajo Immersion Certified K-8th Teacher, high school dual-credit teacher, and as an Elementary Education college course instructor. Mrs. Onyenedo also taught Advanced Navajo at Middlebury Institute of International Studies and online Navajo courses with the Phoenix Indian Center. She is a former Chair for the School of Diné Studies and Education, has also served as the Faculty Association President, and was a member of the College Board of Regents. Additionally, she has been an external reviewer and private consultant to a variety of programs and immersion/bilingual schools across the nation. Mrs. Onyenedo is currently a Visiting Lecturer II at the University of New Mexico, teaching Navajo Language within the Department of Linguistics. She is committed to building internal/external partnerships across the academic realm. She stresses the role of instructional leadership, accountability, and data-based decision-making when meeting the needs of the Navajo Nation’s communities and students, as well as promoting a climate of continuous improvement. Mrs. Onyenedo is a strong advocate for our indigenous communities in the healthcare realm in addition to supporting indigenous language and culture education.
Email: bbenally1@unm.edu