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An Ode To The Voice Of The Navajo Nation Station Ernie Manuelito died in April at age 57. His voice was the first ever to be heard on the Navajo nation radio station. Manuelito said that putting the Navajo language on the air was an important public service.
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An Ode To The Voice Of The Navajo Nation Station

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An Ode To The Voice Of The Navajo Nation Station

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Ernie Manuelito Courtesy KTNN hide caption

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Courtesy KTNN

Ernie Manuelito

Courtesy KTNN

Ernie Manuelito died this year at age 57. His was the first voice ever to be heard on KTNN-AM, the Navajo nation radio station.

Known to listeners as Early Bird Ernie, Manuelito loved oldies (Buck Owens and George Jones were favorites) and sports, especially football. He reported on local news, but he also brought the outside world to his Navajo community. He announced Super Bowl XXX and the Salt Lake City Olympics in the Dine (Navajo) language.

Ernie spoke Navajo well -- better than many -- and said that putting the Navajo language on the air was an important public service.

Produced by Posey Gruener

Special Series

The Obituary Project: Lives Of The Unnoticed