Mr. Chee serves as the project lead for Saad K’idliyé, a grassroots organization committed to establishing a Diné language nest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he resides with his wife and four children. Opened on August 15, 2022, the language nest has demonstrated consistent enrollment growth, accommodating expectant families, infants, and toddlers. Mr. Chee noted that children attending the facility are instructed in their native language throughout the day and learn foundational commands and responses.
Reflecting on his career within the educational system—including experiences with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and charter schools—Mr. Chee observed a lack of equity for native language instruction, noting that most instructional offerings are limited to thirty minutes per week.
He emphasized the goal of fostering comprehensive Diné language proficiency, expressing concern that basic vocabulary instruction in colors, shapes, and sizes represents an insufficient standard. Although students spend nearly half the day immersed in the language at the nest, none of the parents are fluent in Navajo. Consequently, Mr. Chee stated that primary instructional efforts must extend to the parents.
Now in its third year of operation, Saad K’idlyé has refined its model to enhance family engagement and active participation. Mr. Chee seeks to maintain strong parental commitment and responsibility, stating that the program’s primary objective is to cultivate native speakers and encourage continued language use in the home environment.
Enrollment requires adherence to numerous commitments and expectations, supported by structured events, courses, and project-based initiatives. The immersive environment facilitates natural language acquisition among infants and young children.
A native of Lake Valley, New Mexico, Mr. Chee is of the Tsénahabiłnii clan and born for the Kinłichíi’nii clan. He completed his secondary education at Lake Valley Navajo School and Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington, New Mexico. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies with a minor in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico, followed by a Master of Arts in Diné Culture, Language, and Leadership from Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, New Mexico.
Mr. Chee possesses nine years of instructional experience in Diné language and culture. His background includes teaching positions at Cuba Independent Schools, Tóhajiilee Community School, and the Native American Community Academy (NACA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is currently undertaking a two-year fellowship with the NACA Inspired Schools Network (NISN).
He expresses hope that surrounding communities across the Navajo Nation will establish similar language-immersion initiatives.
