Remembering Aunt Helen and Navajo Code Talkers

/ farinaking

Happy Navajo Code Talkers Day 2026

I miss my uncles Albert and George, Navajo Code Talker Brothers. With them, I think of relatives and ancestors, including Aunt Helen who was married to Albert for about 55 years. I recorded some of the first oral histories that I ever did with Uncle Albert and Aunt Helen, before I even really knew or thought about what oral history means.

Albert and Helen Smith in their home, Gallup, New Mexico (photo credit: Smith Family)

Remembering Navajo Code Talkers is inseparable from remembering and connecting with the families and homelands, Diné Bikéyah, that they fought for and used the code as a shield (I remember Uncle Albert would say) to defend.

The following are some thoughts that I share in a recent article, “Aunt Helen and Navajo Code Talkers: Oral Histories with Diné Warriors,” in The Oral History Review (July 2026), reflecting on what Aunt Helen and uncles Albert and George Smith taught me:

“By listening to the oral histories of my uncles and Aunt Helen, I realized that Navajo Code Talkers and their families left a message to decipher a fuller history of their life at home as well as on the battlefield.

…. Aunt Helen’s and Uncle Albert’s lives and oral histories teach me how war illuminates everyday struggles, and their sacrifices give me and will give future generations courage to emulate them.

… the life lessons of Diné warriors that I cherish and gives me durable hope for joy, reminding me—and us, as I share it here—to be true to ourselves even through the darkest of times.” -Farina King

Always Remember.

Albert Smith, Julie Livingston (George Smith’s daughter), and George Smith (left to right), Tséyaaniichii’ (Rehoboth), 2008 (photo by Farina King).

After listening to lived experiences of the horrors of war, I pray constantly in my heart for peace and bravery to love and spread peace and harmony.

The photo below is of me with Aunt Helen, Uncle Albert, and my sister Heather back in 2006. I can’t believe it was 20 years ago. The quality of images from digital cameras back then is not great, but I cherish the memories from when that photo was taken and every moment I had with them.

Albert Smith, Heather (Smith) Tanana, Farina (Smith) King (from top left to right), and Helen Smith (sitting) in Bááh Háálį́ (Bread Springs), 2006 (photo credit: Farina King).


Much love to Nihik’é. Ahéhee’, Shik’é, my kin who have continued to teach precious life ways through generations. Ayóó ádaníhííníshní.

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