Recognized historian of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, Zonnie Gorman is an expert in her field and a dedicated teacher. She has served as a consultant to numerous documentaries, museum exhibitions and authors. Gorman is currently the Project Coordinator for the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project (CLNEP), a nonprofit organization founded in May 2001 and located in Gallup, New Mexico. CLNEP offers a variety of Navajo role models to youth and fosters cultural pride and self worth, while educating them along with non-Navajos about the rich history, culture, language and contributions of the Navajo people. In Decemb...
Cultural Diversity Roster
Find a Presenter
speaker
Zonnie Gorman
Historian & Lecturer of Windtalkers
Categories :
[Sassy_Social_Share]
Bio
Full Bio
Recognized historian of the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, Zonnie Gorman is an expert in her field and a dedicated teacher. She has served as a consultant to numerous documentaries, museum exhibitions and authors. Gorman is currently the Project Coordinator for the Circle of Light Navajo Educational Project (CLNEP), a nonprofit organization founded in May 2001 and located in Gallup, New Mexico.
CLNEP offers a variety of Navajo role models to youth and fosters cultural pride and self worth, while educating them along with non-Navajos about the rich history, culture, language and contributions of the Navajo people.
In December 2014, Gorman received her Master of Arts in History from the University of New Mexico. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Carl Gorman; artist, teacher and one of the original “first twenty-nine” Navajo Code Talkers who devised the initial Navajo code. She is also the youngest sister to the legendary and renowned Navajo artist, the late R.C. Gorman. In 1989 Gorman embarked on a journey to discover that part of her father that had been a Code Talker. With a love of history her journey has led her through fifteen years of in-depth research and interviews. Gorman shares a touching story of young teenage boys seeking adventure and escape. The Code Talker story is the ultimate paradox – a shining achievement for Native America.
Gorman has lectured extensively throughout the United States, including several universities and colleges as well as N.A.S.A. Headquarters in Washington, DC, and the Museum of the American Indian in New York. She has appeared in and been consultant to several documentaries including the History Channel documentary, Navajo Code Talkers, the movie Windtalkers, and the documentary True Whispers.
Gorman is President of the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Governor’s Board. The Ceremonial is an annual event held in New Mexico featuring Native music, dance, arts, and culture. She is President of Extol Charitable Foundation, an organization dedicated to prevention education on fetal alcohol syndrome. She is also Vice Chair of the Gallup Economic Development and Tourism Commission, as well as a board member of Think First Navajo, a chapter of the national organization Think First, a head and spinal injury prevention program. She is also an advisory board member for College Horizons, a pre-college workshop for Native American students preparing for undergraduate and graduate school.
Check Availability
Testimonials
This presentation was an exceptional depiction of her father, Carl N. Gorman, and his journey through life. Ms. Gorman kept the audience of 150 lawyers and judges from across the nation captivated and hanging on her every word. Attendees and organizers both appreciated the rich history and cultural perspective offered by Ms. Gorman’s presentation.”
I received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from the audience,… one of the larger crowds we’ve had show for our Colloquia Series lectures. People need to know, and you make the knowledge capitivating and enjoyable.
Ms. Gorman’s stage presence and method of delivery kept the audience spell bound and totally interested in every word she spoke. Ms. Gorman is totally articulate and very professional. We had over hundred requests for a return presentation!
Topics
Topics
Navajo Code Talkers: In-Depth with Zonnie Gorman
Navajo Code Talkers: History Day Junior Documentary
Videos
Videos
Navajo Code Talkers: History Day Junior Documentary
Books
Please Contact Us For More Information
News
Please Contact Us For More Information
