On Sunday, March 1st, St. Michaels Indian School will host the 1st Annual Navajo Nation March for Life. Marchers will gather at the Window Rock Fairgrounds, hear a talk from Bishop Wall, and then make their way to the school, where a light dinner will be served.
Stephan Joe, the March’s organizer, said the idea came from his desire to take St. Michaels students to the Phoenix March for Life.
“Our president, Dot Teso, basically said, how about we just have our own?” he recalled. “As far as I know, it’s the Navajo Nation’s first ever March for Life. We want to send that message out that the Navajo Nation is pro-life and that we respect the dignity of life in all stages.”
Joe, who was born in Oregon but grew up on the Navajo Nation, has been teaching at St. Michaels School for about five years, and hopes the march will foster openness to the pro-life message in the local community.
“I’ve been contacting local churches and schools and there seems to be an interest, especially among faith-based communities. But people who align themselves with this cause, they’re real excited about it.”
The organizers welcome attendees to bring signs, but emphasize that any and all messages and/or pictures should be welcoming and family-friendly. And while all people are welcome, they also ask that attendees not display messages that reference political parties or politicians.
“We’re just really trying to make it a positive event, peaceful, of course,” Joe said. “Although this is primarily faith-based, it is open to everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation or their cultural identity.”
He also wants attendees to be aware of the weather forecast and dress appropriately, and to bring water they may require for the walk, which is approximately two miles. And most importantly, he hopes the March will bring a spirit of joy and peace to those who participate in and witness it.
“This march is just to spark that dialogue, especially on the Navajo Nation. I really want the Navajo Nation to be known as pro-life.”
When and where: Sunday, March 1, 2026 from 1:00pm-5:00 pm at the Window Rock Fairgrounds. Begins with prayer, praise, and a speech from Bishop Wall, then marchers will walk approximately two miles along HWY 264 to St. Michaels School for dinner and fellowship. A shuttle service back to vehicles is available, and elders, young children, and those who prefer not to make the full walk may join the march at Mary, Mother of Mankind parish parking lot in St. Michaels. Contact: [email protected]
I appreciate what you are doing but I feel the better thing for Right to Lifers to do is to adopt the children in foster care. If you want to protest abortions then you make sure the children who are born are well taken care of . Don’t keep putting crosses on church and school grounds. Each cross represents to me a child in heaven instead of a child being brutalized. I truly believe an aborted child goes straight to heaven. I worked in Children’s Services and I don’t think it is a good idea to populate the earth with children who are not wanted nor properly cared for. As you read every day in the news children are being abused by their own parents and by foster parents. Christ himself said “Let the little children come to me, and do not HINDER them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.