RED MESA, Arizona. As a child and young adult, Andrethia Bia measured her success according to Western standards, although she grew up as a Diné, the term Navajo members use to describe their nation. As a child, Bia was raised in a traditional manner and spent most of her time with her late grandmother, Mary Kitseally, helping her with her sheep and watching her weave. Bia's childhood was filled with Diné teachings and philosophy, and she grew up speaking Navajo. The largest Native American nation in the country, Navajo territory stretches across portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It includes more than 26,110 square miles (67,625 square kilometers) of land.
During high school, Bia was active in school activities, including athletics and the student council, on which she served as vice president. At 18, she accepted a scholarship to the College of Eastern Utah in Blanding. Bia went on to study and work in Utah and Arizona, and taught at the Salt River reservation. She continued to surround herself with other members of her community, even as she worked and raised her two sons. During this time, she felt a vague uneasiness; she longed to know more about her heritage.…show more content… Bia's decision runs counter to U.S. trends, which have seen the population of the Navajo Nation decline as many young people seek opportunities elsewhere. If this trend continues, by 2012 about half of the Navajo people will live outside of the Navajo
