Page Middle School’s Navajo Language and Navajo Government teacher, Ricki Seschillie, recently learned that she passed the Navajo Language Literacy Test. She took the test over the summer.

Those taking the test must show oral, writing and reading proficiency in the Navajo language, as well as demonstrate knowledge in Diné origin stories, Navajo history and Navajo government.

The test is notorious for how detailed and hard it can be, but Seschillie, who grew up speaking Navajo with her parents and grandparents, says she didn’t find it particularly difficult.

“My parents spoke to us in Navajo, but it was mostly my paternal grandmother who made sure we knew it,” said Seschillie.

Seschillie’s grandmother spoke to her – and the rest of the household – primarily in Navajo, and Seschillie spoke to her grandmother using primarily Navajo. Because of that, Seschillie felt like she was fluent in Navajo.

The test starts with the candidate introducing themselves in Navajo, followed by the test officials introducing themselves in Navajo. The test-taker then explains to the official how they are related. The test-takers must speak only Navajo throughout the entire test. Speaking a   single word of English is an automatic fail.

During another part of the test, Seschillie was given a list of words in Navajo, and then used them in a sentence. Seschillie then tells the test officials a Navajo story, they explain the structure and function of the Navajo government, and they explain the Long Walk from the time the Diné got captured to their release and the Treaty of 1868. All of it can only be told in Navajo. Speaking only Navajo, they also have to describe the Navajo Nation flag and its seal, and several Diné origin stories.

Prior to taking the test, Seschillie felt confident in her ability to speak and write the Navajo language, “but I had to study on the history and the government.” She says reciting the Diné origin stories came naturally to her, because she had grown up listening to them from her grandmother.

She also took a class at the community college taught by Carlos Begay, who taught her things about Navajo government and origin stories she didn’t know before.

Seschillie grew up in Inscription House and attended school in Page from kindergarten to the end of middle school. After that she attended Dixie High School in St. George.

She now lives south of Bitter Springs.  

This is Seschillie’s second year teaching Navajo Language and Navajo Government at Page Middle School.

“I love it,” she said.

Prior to teaching at Page Middle School, she worked at Lake View as a para-pro and in the district office as its receptionist.