Henry, also known by the names Hastiin Adiitsʼaʼii (Mister Interpreter) and Kiiłchííʼ (Red Boy) was born near Tsihootsooi into the Mąʼii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass) clan. His father was either Juan Anaya, who was Naakaii Dineʼé OR Henry L. Dodge. There does not appear to be a consensus.
In 1864, during the Long Walk, Henry was separated from his mother, and taken in as an orphan for four years before finding an aunt who took him in. His step-uncle was Anglo-American, and he became fluent in English. He eventually went on to replace Jesus Arviso as the official Navajo interpreter for the United States military.
Henry was married first to Asdzaa' Tsi'naajinii, but they divorced. He then married sisters K'eehabah (later known as Mary) and Nanabah, and went on to have six children, including Thomas, who was a lawyer and elected member of the Navajo Tribal Council, as well as a long-time Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, and Annie Dodge Wauneka, a Navajo Nation Council member, three-term head of the council's Health and Welfare Committee, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
In 1883, Henry became the head of the Navajo Tribal Police. The next year, the Bureau of Indian Affairs appointed him "Head Chief of the Navajo," a position/title with no traditional foundation in the Navajo concept of governance. He held that position until 1910.
In 1922, Henry was appointed first chairman of the Navajo Business Council, securing over a million dollars in mineral rights royalties for the Navajo Nation. Under his oversight, oil-drilling rights were conveyed upon Anglo-American corporations.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act conveyed U.S. citizenship upon Henry.
in 1942, Henry was elected chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, and served four years. He lobbied for improved educational opportunities for Navajo children. In 1946, he was chosen as vice-chairman, serving until his death in 1947.
In 1864, during the Long Walk, Henry was separated from his mother, and taken in as an orphan for four years before finding an aunt who took him in. His step-uncle was Anglo-American, and he became fluent in English. He eventually went on to replace Jesus Arviso as the official Navajo interpreter for the United States military.
Henry was married first to Asdzaa' Tsi'naajinii, but they divorced. He then married sisters K'eehabah (later known as Mary) and Nanabah, and went on to have six children, including Thomas, who was a lawyer and elected member of the Navajo Tribal Council, as well as a long-time Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, and Annie Dodge Wauneka, a Navajo Nation Council member, three-term head of the council's Health and Welfare Committee, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
In 1883, Henry became the head of the Navajo Tribal Police. The next year, the Bureau of Indian Affairs appointed him "Head Chief of the Navajo," a position/title with no traditional foundation in the Navajo concept of governance. He held that position until 1910.
In 1922, Henry was appointed first chairman of the Navajo Business Council, securing over a million dollars in mineral rights royalties for the Navajo Nation. Under his oversight, oil-drilling rights were conveyed upon Anglo-American corporations.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act conveyed U.S. citizenship upon Henry.
in 1942, Henry was elected chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, and served four years. He lobbied for improved educational opportunities for Navajo children. In 1946, he was chosen as vice-chairman, serving until his death in 1947.
Henry, also known by the names Hastiin Adiitsʼaʼii (Mister Interpreter) and Kiiłchííʼ (Red Boy) was born near Tsihootsooi into the Mąʼii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass) clan. His father was either Juan Anaya, who was Naakaii Dineʼé OR Henry L. Dodge. There does not appear to be a consensus.
In 1864, during the Long Walk, Henry was separated from his mother, and taken in as an orphan for four years before finding an aunt who took him in. His step-uncle was Anglo-American, and he became fluent in English. He eventually went on to replace Jesus Arviso as the official Navajo interpreter for the United States military.
Henry was married first to Asdzaa' Tsi'naajinii, but they divorced. He then married sisters K'eehabah (later known as Mary) and Nanabah, and went on to have six children, including Thomas, who was a lawyer and elected member of the Navajo Tribal Council, as well as a long-time Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, and Annie Dodge Wauneka, a Navajo Nation Council member, three-term head of the council's Health and Welfare Committee, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
In 1883, Henry became the head of the Navajo Tribal Police. The next year, the Bureau of Indian Affairs appointed him "Head Chief of the Navajo," a position/title with no traditional foundation in the Navajo concept of governance. He held that position until 1910.
In 1922, Henry was appointed first chairman of the Navajo Business Council, securing over a million dollars in mineral rights royalties for the Navajo Nation. Under his oversight, oil-drilling rights were conveyed upon Anglo-American corporations.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act conveyed U.S. citizenship upon Henry.
in 1942, Henry was elected chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, and served four years. He lobbied for improved educational opportunities for Navajo children. In 1946, he was chosen as vice-chairman, serving until his death in 1947.
In 1864, during the Long Walk, Henry was separated from his mother, and taken in as an orphan for four years before finding an aunt who took him in. His step-uncle was Anglo-American, and he became fluent in English. He eventually went on to replace Jesus Arviso as the official Navajo interpreter for the United States military.
Henry was married first to Asdzaa' Tsi'naajinii, but they divorced. He then married sisters K'eehabah (later known as Mary) and Nanabah, and went on to have six children, including Thomas, who was a lawyer and elected member of the Navajo Tribal Council, as well as a long-time Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, and Annie Dodge Wauneka, a Navajo Nation Council member, three-term head of the council's Health and Welfare Committee, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
In 1883, Henry became the head of the Navajo Tribal Police. The next year, the Bureau of Indian Affairs appointed him "Head Chief of the Navajo," a position/title with no traditional foundation in the Navajo concept of governance. He held that position until 1910.
In 1922, Henry was appointed first chairman of the Navajo Business Council, securing over a million dollars in mineral rights royalties for the Navajo Nation. Under his oversight, oil-drilling rights were conveyed upon Anglo-American corporations.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act conveyed U.S. citizenship upon Henry.
in 1942, Henry was elected chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council, and served four years. He lobbied for improved educational opportunities for Navajo children. In 1946, he was chosen as vice-chairman, serving until his death in 1947.
Inscription
'THE FORMER MISTER INTERPETER
HERE PERMANENTLY LIES IN THE EARTH'
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
