FARMINGTON, N.M. — Isaac Merritt and Kaydence Yazzie are the CCSD students who have earned the Navajo Nation bilingual seal of proficiency. Wednesday, the district and the Intercultural and Community Outreach Department honored them for their achievement.

For Merrit it all started at home.

“Navajo was my first language,” he said.

But that’s not always the case. Yazzie started learning Navajo as she got older.

“(It) is very scarce out here,” she said. “Not very much. Kids, you know, can understand or comprehend the Navajo language.”

Although both had different journeys of learning the language, both say it’s important to keep their moribund language alive.

“More people, especially the younger generation, are going to need the language as they grow up,” Merrit said.

“To, you know, keep the ceremonies going, to keep these songs and prayers going as well,” Yazzie added. “And you know, it all starts in the homestead, and you know, where the children are sent at school as well.”

Now, they want to help the younger generation want to learn the language.

“The curriculum now is, it’s not very, you know, interesting,” Yazzie said. “I feel that, you know, schools now are just giving out paper assignments, and it’s not very hands-on, and it’s not, you know, intriguing to the kids and the youth.”

Whether that be at school or at home.

“By doing hands-on activities and by making the language sound fun and interesting to them,” Merrit said.

“Not only the youth, but the parents, you know, incorporating Navajo language at the homestead as well,” Yazzie said.