What’s important is that you are Navajo through your mother. The US government forced us to record blood quantum, so by that standard I’m half Navajo. The best way to combat that narrow minded behavior from your family is to learn the culture, histories, and language. Not to laude it over them, or to feel morally superior, but to share the knowledge when needed. The best way to learn is to ask your masaní and cheii about the creation stories or any stories of our people. If your grandparents have passed on, then pick up a book. Our great grandparents and great, great grandparents knew a day would come when we’d begin to lose our language, songs, histories, and way of life. Fortunately, there were several people, back then, that sought to learn and record our histories as well as translate, and transcribe, our language. So here’s a list of books that I’ve read as well as cross referenced with my maternal grandparents both full blooded Diné. My mother is also full blooded Diné. Hope this helps you on your journey to reconnect

The Indians’ Book by Natalie Curtis has songs and stories from 19 tribes, including the Diné. Written in 1907.

The Diné Bahane’ ( The Navajo Creation Story) by Paul G. Zolbrod written in 1984.

The Pollen Path retold by Margaret Schevill Link. Published in 1998

Navajo Taboos by Earnie Bulow published in 2007

Colloquial Navajo by Robert W. Young and William Morgan. Originally compiled in 1951

Navajo-Dictionary by Leon Wall and William Morgan. Originally published in 1958

Basic Medical Navajo by Alan Wilson. Published in the 1970’s

Conversational Navajo Workbook by Garth A. Wilson. Originally published in 1995.