Navajo Community Outraged After Church Play Mocks Traditional Beliefs

Key Takeaways:

• A church in Gallup, NM, staged a play condemning Navajo traditions and medicine men.
• The play depicted a Navajo spiritual leader being sent to hell for practicing traditional ways.
• Community members, including a young Navajo woman, expressed outrage and organized a protest.
• The Navajo Nation Council called for accountability and issued a formal letter to the church.
• The church has not responded to complaints or apologized for the offensive performance.

The Church Play Sparks Outrage

Louvannina Tsosie walked into The Door Christian Fellowship Church in Gallup, New Mexico, expecting a typical Sunday service. Instead, she witnessed a shocking stage performance that mocked Navajo traditions and spirituality. The play, which Tsosie recorded and shared online, has sparked widespread anger in the Navajo community.

The play portrayed a Navajo medicine man, known as a Hataałii, being condemned to hell for practicing traditional ceremonies. Hataałii are highly respected figures in Navajo culture, responsible for protecting and preserving sacred ceremonies. The play’s vivid depiction of the medicine man’s damnation, surrounded by demons and red lights, was deeply offensive to many.

Louvannina Tsosie, a 24-year-old Navajo woman, recorded part of the play on her phone and posted it on TikTok. The video quickly went viral, gaining over 230,000 views and sparking heated discussions. Many viewers expressed outrage, while others defended the church, saying Tsosie misunderstood the message.

A Painful History of Erasure

The incident has brought up painful memories of cultural erasure and religious imperialism for many Navajo people. Dr. Jennifer Nez Denetdale, a Diné historian and professor at the University of New Mexico, explained that the church’s actions reflect a long history of colonization and forced Christianity.

“Since colonization, Christianity has been used to erase our identity and traditions,” Denetdale said. “This play is just one example of how our way of life is still being disrespected today.”

Denetdale added that the Navajo Nation has been heavily Christianized, with many Navajo people attending church regularly. However, this has often come at the cost of losing touch with traditional practices. The play, she said, is part of a larger pattern of disrespect toward Navajo spirituality.

A Call for Respect and Dialogue

In response to the play, Tsosie helped organize a peaceful protest outside the church on June 8. The group demanded a public apology and accountability from the church. So far, they have not received any response.

Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley also issued a formal letter to the church, calling the performance “disrespectful and culturally insensitive.” She emphasized that Navajo traditional practices are sacred and integral to Navajo identity.

“Navajo medicine men are spiritual leaders and should never be mocked in such a violent way,” Curley said.

Curley also noted that while religious freedom is important, it should not come at the expense of disrespecting others’ beliefs. “ Mutual respect is essential, especially when living in a shared space,” she said.

Gallup’s Troubled History

Gallup, a city with a significant Native American population, has a history of racism and discrimination against Indigenous people. The city is often called the “Indian Capitol of the World” due to its proximity to tribal nations like the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo. However, this has not always led to positive relationships.

Dr. Denetdale pointed out that Gallup has long been a hub for missionary activity, with many churches targeting Navajo people. “There’s an investment in continuing to Christianize Navajo people,” she said. “And in that process, they must vilify who we are.”

Moving Forward

The incident has sparked important conversations about cultural respect and religious freedom. For Louvannina Tsosie, the experience has been both emotional and empowering. “This moment is bigger than me,” she said. “It’s about our people realizing that we don’t have to stay silent anymore.”

While the church has not apologized, the Navajo Nation continues to advocate for accountability. As crystals Curley said, “Freedom of expression comes at a price. It requires acceptance, but it should never insult or harm others’ sacred beliefs.”

For now, the Navajo community remains united in its demand for respect and understanding.