Native American Church – State of New Mexico
Leo Dayish, President
Leathan Dayish, Vice President
Glen Scott, Treasurer
Linda Benally, Secretary
Cory Dayish, NM Delegate-At-Large
Our Story
Tribute to Frankie J. Dayish
Gentle giant, family man of unwavering wisdom and vision.
Among Frankie Dayish’s most treasured childhood memories is attendance at prayer meetings with his father, John Dayish—New Mexico Navajo Medicine man and respected community leader. His mother, Esther (Ke’yił nani’baa)— also Navajo— died when Frankie was just shy of 9 years old.
One (1) of seven (7) children – these were humble beginnings— rich in life lessons that set the stage for Frankie to understand the importance of collaboration and coordination— skill sets he built on to Found, Incorporate and Serve for eight years as first president of the Board, for the Native American Church, State of New Mexico. He continued to serve the organization as a sage advisor for the next three decades. A respected Native American Church Roadman, he traveled Indian Country with his family, to conduct the NAC ceremony.
These talents also supported and drove the state chapter’s efforts that organized landmark gatherings like the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act Amendments of 1994, 2019; and the launch of the Peyote Research Project, 2014.
The legacy of his teachings shines bright today as the work he started continues.
- Recognizing 2023 NAC-SNM Art Contest entrants and winners.
- Continuing NAC-SNM/NACNA collaboration with NAC organizations in Washington DC–working side-by-side toward a shared goal to advance administrative and legislative efforts to protect religious freedom and guarantee NAC members the ability to practice their religion in permanence.
- Intervening on the international front asserting position as rights holders and advancing the American Indian religious freedom protections under the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the 2023 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
- Honoring Native American veterans who served our country with valor.
Our dad was a rancher, horseman, and a retiree with 30 years as a heavy equipment transport driver with the Navajo Engineering Construction Authority.
HIS SPIRIT STILL GUIDES US.
After a decade or so of formation discussions, travels across Indian Country, and building enduring friendships…on February 22, 1981, at Tree Meadows, Navajo Nation, Shiprock, New Mexico, Frankie and Hazel Dayish gathered friends and relatives in the Dayish home to discuss incorporating an organization to support the NAC community. On July 27, 1981, the NAC-SNM was incorporated. It has served the Native American Church throughout Indian Country since that time.
The 40th Anniversary Commemoration website launched on September 15, 2021 in dedication to the late Frankie Dayish — Roadman,Founder, Incorporator, First President of the Board of Directors, Advisor — of NAC-SNM. Frankie’s unwavering belief in the NAC way and his advocacy for youth will light the way as NAC-SNM charts the next 40 years. Thank you for your decades of service.