Navajo Nightway Ceremony Music: Recordings and Revitalization (1900–present)

1. Matthews publishes foundational Nightway description

   Jan 1, 1902Labels: Washington Matthews, The Night, Nightway Ceremony

   • Utah Press
   • JSTOR

2. Early commercial sound technology spreads to fieldwork

   Jan 1, 1910Labels: Wax cylinder, Fieldwork, Recording technology

   • LOC Guides
   • Britannica

3. Laura Boulton makes Navajo field recordings

   Jan 1, 1933Labels: Laura Boulton, Field recordings, Navajo songs

   • Folkways

4. Canyon Records begins Native American music releases

   Jan 1, 1951Labels: Canyon Records, Ed Lee, Record label

   • Canyon Bandcamp
   • ICT News

5. McAllester documents Navajo ceremonial singing on tape

   Jun 2, 1958Labels: David McAllester, Shootingway ceremony, Long-form tape

   • ArchiveGrid

6. Navajo Nation establishes a tribal museum

   Jan 1, 1961Labels: Navajo Tribal, Window Rock, Tribal museum

   • NN Museum
   • VisitAZ

7. Rough Rock school launches bilingual, bicultural model

   Jan 1, 1966Labels: Rough Rock, Bilingual education, Bicultural model

   • RRCS
   • Navajo Times

8. Smithsonian Folkways releases a Night Chant track

   Jan 1, 1967Labels: Smithsonian Folkways, Night Chant, Yeibichai

   • Folkways Album
   • Folkways Track

9. Navajo Community College founded for self-determined education

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Navajo Community, Din College, Tribal higher

   • Din College

10. NAGPRA becomes law, shifting stewardship expectations

    Nov 16, 1990Labels: NAGPRA, Federal law, Repatriation

    • NPS NAGPRA

11. Museum and library move into a permanent Window Rock facility

    Jan 1, 1997Labels: Navajo Nation, Window Rock, Library &

    • NN Museum
    • Clio

12. Navajo Nation builds stronger cultural-resource governance

    Mar 24, 1997Labels: Tribal Historic, THPO, Cultural governance

    • NNHHPD

13. Digital distribution expands access and renews ethical questions

    Jan 1, 2004Labels: Digital distribution, Streaming platforms, Night Chant

    • Apple Music
    • Folkways Track

14. Updated federal repatriation rules drive exhibit access changes

    Jan 27, 2024Labels: Repatriation rules, Major museums, Exhibit changes

    • NPS Policy
    • Guardian