Navajo vs. Urban Outfitters

Navajo tribal wedding basket
Photo credit: speaknavajo.com

Since 2008 the Navajo Nation has been working to right the wrong that has been committed by the global Urban Outfitters - who use the term "Navajo" without permission in the selling of their products which included: underwear, alcohol flasks and such.

Although the term "Navajo" is used  in many areas of many communities it is a term that is forefront in the lives of the Navajo people. My Navajo government has done much to protect and preserve the tribal and cultural community of its people, yet they cannot always protect against theft and the blatant disrespect of issues such as this.

History has showed how the mainstream non-Navajo entities have taken advantage of the Navajo people, We have been prisoners of war at Fort Sumner, NM, we have been taken by force to the infamous Indian Boarding Schools, we have been called "savage," "drunks," "squaws," and many other distasteful terms, but through it all we continue Our vision of Life. The term "Navajo" is what the world knows Us as, but we know what we do have our own expression for who we are in our Indigenous tongue.

This issue between the tribe and the corporate Urban Outfitters is important because it concerns the implementation of Navajo tribal sovereignty and the demand for justice for the Navajo People in the 21st century. My people are highly educated and at times must use education as a weapon against tyranny - We as Indigenous, we as Navajo continue the "Indian Wars" via issues such as this current situation of use of our tribe's name. Some may laugh and label this lawsuit as frivolous, but be sure this fight we fight is so much more than what has floated to the top.

Please educate yourself on this current issue my Navajo people face, Our fight is your fight too, for its a cause about human dignity and human respect. Below is an excerpt from the article titled, Navajo Nation seeks millions from Urban Outfitters for using tribe's name.

According to the current Chicago Tribune article, 

"...The geometric prints popular in clothing often are inspired by Native American designs. Urban Outfitters said it started using the "Navajo" or "Navaho" name on its products and in marketing as early as July 2001, when the fashion trend was in full swing. Its subsidiaries followed suit, with the companies selling cuffs, necklaces, jackets, pants, a flask and panties, among other merchandise. The companies said they quit selling the products after hearing of the tribe's lawsuit. The Navajo Nation holds trademarks on the "Navajo" name for things like clothing, footwear and online retail sales..."

Just becuase its "trendy" does not open the gate for continued injustice and disrespect for an entire Indigenous culture. For more insight into this story visit the online article at:

Navajo vs. Urban Outfitters