DINE SILAO TSOOI NIHIZAAD BEE HONEEZNA Virtual Cache

Visit the Center of the Navajo Nation. This cache is wheelchair accessible.

Window Rock, Arizona, is home of the administrative center of the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Nation Council Chambers, the Navajo Nation Museum, Tségháhoodzání (window rock), and the Navajo Code Talker Memorial.

The memorial is honoring the Navajo men who used their native language on behalf of the United States of America to transmit coded messages during World War II. By using the Navajo language, these soldiers proved the importance of preserving Native cultures. Philip Johnston, a civil engineer, who grew up on the Navajo reservation while living with his missionary family, was one of a few non-Navajo to fluently speak the language. Johnston, serving in WWII, encouraged the development of the Navajo Code Talker program through the US Marine Corps.  

Being such an isolated area, limited exposure to outside influences protected the Navajo language. The young Navajo men were few in number, but great in service. They honored the Navajo Nation by responding to their call of duty and by successfully completing their assignment.  Only in the 1960s was the Navajo Code declassified - after which, the Code Talkers were allowed to share their experiences publically for the first time.  

"In 2010, famous Navajo Ute sculptor Oreland Joe designed and erected the Navajo Code Talker Monument near Window Rock, Arizona. It serves as a tribute to the Navajo Code Talkers who sacrificed and secured victory for the United States."

While at Window Rock take time to visit the Navajo Nation Veteran’s Memorial Park. This park was dedicated in 1995 to commemorate the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, their land, and the Dine way of life. (Dine: the Earth People and the Holy People.)

Also, plan to spend some time at the Navajo Nation Museum and also the Ch'ihootso Indian Market Place.  Please check for the current hours and days of operation for each. 

In order to claim this cache, please take your picture with the Navajo Code Talker Memorial in the background and post it with your log.  Please also post how many are in your group while visiting the memorial. 

Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.