About Us

Ałheenihidziil siidlį́į’go éí nihina’nitin nilínígíí yá’át’ééh dóó idééłníi dooleeł. Áłchíní dóó ółta’í t’áá ałtso naniitinígíí yá’át’éehgo Diné bizaad yídahwiidooł’ááł.

In the 1970’s, a group of Diné Language and Culture teachers brought colleagues together to address issues facing them. It is our hope to become strong in the work of Diné Language and Cultural preservation and revitalization.

Before 2011, the Diné Language Teachers Association had finances handled by a partnering institution. In February 2001, the current group started the Diné Language Teachers Association as a non-profit handling all of its own affairs.

DLTA Leaders

Dr. Geneva Becenti - President

Dr. Becenti is Diné from Chilchiltah, New Mexico. Nahkaii diné nishłį dóó Táchii'nii báshishchíín dóó Tsé nahabiłnii dashicheii dóó Áshįįhnii dáshináli. Currently, she is a Director of the Dine Language Initiatives and Policy Program with the Native American Community Academy - Inspired Schools Network. She oversees the Diné Bizaad Bee Na’nitin Yíhoołl’aah Mentor and Apprentice program to increase Dine’s speakers to obtain the 520 Native American Language and Culture certification to teach in public schools. In addition, she advocates with the Diné language educators to seek sustainability through policy, funding, and building a network.

She received her Ph.D. from the Department of Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico College of Education. Her dissertation title is "Indigenous Language Educator’s Experiences: Addressing Issues on the New Mexico Indian Education Act of 2003 and Strengthening the New Mexico Indigenous Language Programs in Public Schools."
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Becenti taught courses focused on Indigenous Languages and policies in public schools, and Indigenous research issues and methods. She mentored students from K-12, Universities, and Tribal Colleges. She looks forward to working with Diné language and culture educators. Ahxéhéé for your continuous support and joining us at the DLTA annual conference scheduled on October 17-18, 2025.
Louise Benally - Secretary-Treasurer

Louise Benally is from Church Rock, New Mexico. She is Kinłichíiʼnii- Haltsooí-Áshįįhí-Táchiiʼnii. She has been with the Diné Language Teachers Association since February of 2011 when she was recruited to be the Secretary-Treasurer. She has been actively involved in the recordkeeping and accounting of the DLTA operation and is committed to its stability and expansion as the new board members take over. You will always see her at the registration desk. She firmly believes that the Diné Language Teachers need to be recognized and supported in their challenging jobs maintaining and preserving the Diné bizaad. She commends them for keeping the language alive!
Mary Whitehair-Frazier

Yá’át’ééh, Mary Whitehair-Frazier dashininí, Tłízí Łání nishłi ́, Tódích’íinii báshishchíí, Tó’áhaní dashicheii, Hashk’ąą hadzohí dashinálí, Kits’iilidę́ę́ naashá. Mary is a skilled and compassionate person who has dedicated much of her work to Diné bizaad (Navajo language) and fostering community connections. She is known for her warm personality and strong work ethic. She is an instructor at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a tribal college in Albuquerque, NM. Mary is also working with Saad K’ídilyé (planting a language), a Diné language nest. Mary has always participated in local Diné bizaad initiatives and supported Diné families to sustain our heritage language. Mary deeply values her roots and incorporates family traditions and values into her daily life.
Brenda Brown

Navajo Language Instructor at Bloomfield Schools District