Oral History Interview with Eileen Quintana, February 3, 2025 [Video]

In an oral history interview on February 3, 2025, Eileen Quintana shares her experiences and insights as an indigenous Navajo woman, wife, mother, grandmother, educator, and community member. She discusses her childhood growing up in a Hogan without modern amenities and the cultural shock of entering mainstream society, highlighting the contrasting worldviews between indigenous holistic equality with nature and the dominant society's human-centric perspective. Quintana emphasizes the importance of preserving and celebrating Navajo culture through traditional practices, family gatherings, and community involvement, such as her work with Adopt a Native Elders and the Fort Utah Archeology Project. She also discusses the historical contributions of indigenous peoples, the impact of the boarding school system, and her hope for a more inclusive and appreciative societal narrative of Native American history and contributions. Throughout the interview, Quintana reflects on the strong influence of her family, especially her resilient mother and grandfather, who instilled in her a positive outlook on life and a deep respect for cultural traditions and the environment.