Total population | |
---|---|
300,460 (2015) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
United States ( Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah) |
|
Languages | |
Navajo, Plains Indian Sign Language (Navajo Sign Language), English | |
Religion | |
Navajo Traditional, Christianity (mainly Catholicism and Mormonism), Native American Church | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Apachean (Southern Athabascan) peoples, (Northern Athabascan) peoples |
The Navajo (British English: Navaho, Navajo: Diné or Naabeehó) are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States. After the Cherokee, they are the second-largest federally recognized tribe in the United States, with 300,460 enrolled tribal members as of 2015[update]. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body that manages the Navajo reservation in the Four Corners area, including over 27,000 square miles of land in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. The Navajo language is spoken throughout the region, with most Navajos speaking English, as well.
The states with the largest Navajo populations are Arizona (140,263) and New Mexico (108,306). Over three-quarters of the Navajo population reside in these two states.
The Navajos are speakers of a Na-Dené Southern Athabaskan language known within the language as Diné bizaad (lit. 'People's language'). The language comprises two geographic, mutually intelligible dialects. It is closely related to the Apache language, as the Navajos and Apaches are believed to have migrated from northwestern Canada and eastern Alaska, where the majority of Athabaskan speakers reside. Speakers of various other Athabaskan languages located in Canada may still comprehend the Navajo language despite the geographic and linguistic deviation of the languages. Additionally, some Navajos speak Navajo Sign Language, which is either a dialect or daughter of Plains Sign Talk, as well as some being speakers of Plains Sign Talk itself.