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- By Levi Rickert
Citizens of the Navajo Nation have expressed outrage over the depiction of Navajo spirituality in a play performed at The Door Gallup Christian Church in Gallup, New Mexico, on May 29, 2025. Videos of the performance, shared on TikTok, have since garnered millions of views.
The videos circulating online show a play featuring violent acts directed at a character dressed as a Navajo medicine man during the portrayal of a ceremonial scene.
The 25th Navajo Nation Council released a press release on Tuesday that reads in part:
“Council members, speaking on behalf of concerned community members, described the performance as a misrepresentation and mockery of sacred aspects of Navajo spirituality. The play has drawn widespread criticism from Navajo community members and interfaith leaders who view the portrayal as deeply disrespectful and culturally insensitive.”
Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley sent a formal letter to The Door Gallup Christian Church in Gallup, New Mexico, expressing deep disappointment and urging the church’s leadership to take accountability for a recent stage performance that has ignited widespread public outrage.
“We respect all faiths and beliefs. As neighbors to the Navajo Nation, the city of Gallup and surrounding communities share more than just geography with our people — we are connected by deep-rooted cultural and social ties,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley. “Mutual respect and understanding must be the foundation of our society, especially in a region that embraces diverse beliefs.”While reaffirming the importance of religious freedom, Speaker Curley stressed in her letter that such expression should never come at the cost of another people's sacred traditions.“Navajo traditional practices are considered sacred by many of our people. They are integral to Navajo identity, history, and our way of life. Navajo medicine men are spiritual leaders and should never be made a mockery in such a violent manner,” she sai
The letter urges the church to take the community's concerns seriously and to engage in respectful dialogue and self-reflection.
“We urge the church to consider the broader impacts of its actions and ensure that future engagement is grounded in mutual respect and cultural understanding,” Speaker Curley added.
In closing, she reaffirmed the Navajo Nation Council’s willingness to engage in direct communication and emphasized the importance of fostering respectful dialogue.
“We welcome the opportunity to meet, to listen, and to have meaningful conversations, but we will not tolerate disrespect toward Navajo traditions or any faith,” she said.
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