Zonnie Gorman

Historian, Consultant & Lecturer

Zonnie Gorman

Historian, Consultant & Lecturer

Add to List Availability & Fees

Biography

Zonnie Gorman is a recognized historian on the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II and has served as a consultant to numerous documentaries, museum exhibitions and magazine and book authors. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Carl Gorman; artist, teacher and one of the original “first twenty-nine” Navajo Code Talkers, the pilot group that devised the initial Navajo code. She is also the youngest sister to the legendary and renowned Navajo artist, the late R.C. Gorman.

Zonnie has lectured extensively about the Navajo Code Talkers throughout the United States and Canada at universities, museums, and a variety of organization’s conferences and meetings, as well as several Native American and First Nations communities. She has appeared in, and served as consultant to a number of documentaries, including the History Channel documentary, Navajo Code Talkers and the PBS documentary True Whispers.

Zonnie holds a PhD in History from the University of New Mexico and is currently a Center for Regional Studies Post Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Southwest Studies at the University of New Mexico.

Speaker Videos

Navajo Code Talkers Clip | HISTORY

A Navajo Code Talker's Journey

Speech Topics

Growing Up With Heroes: A Daughter’s Journey with the Navajo Code Talkers

Zonnie’s presentation is a touching and riveting story about the original famous Navajo Code Talkers. This very first group – the First Twenty-nine – was the pilot project in 1942 who created the first Navajo code. As a historian and the daughter of the oldest member, Carl Gorman, Zonnie expertly weaves her personal connection and intimate knowledge with thirty years of archival research and collected first account stories. You will experience the Navajo reservation of the 1940s, the federal boarding schools, and learn about the devastating U.S. Government policy of Assimilation designed to destroy Indian lifeways and languages. Most importantly, you will discover how the First Twenty-nine created the initial Navajo code and how their life experiences, cultural upbringing, and sheer ingenuity helped secure America’s freedom in the Pacific.

Testimonials

"Zonnie was fabulous! She shares such an important part of history - and is an excellent story teller. In particular, many of Native American employees were so grateful for her presence on Indigenous Peoples Day. However - her powerful presentation was wonderful for all."

- Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union

"She was outstanding, gracious, and engaging. We had a nice crowd. Despite her early flight to get here and her early flight to get home today, she stayed until the last person had the chance to chat with her. Thanks for aiding us in bringing her to our campus."

- Cleveland State Community College

"Zonnie was wonderful. Her visit exceeded expectations in every regard."

- The Victoria College

“Zonnie has become the foremost Code Talker scholar in the world…and her lecture reflects this!”

- Judy Avila, Best-Selling Author of Code Talker

“Ms. Gorman kept the audience of 150 lawyers and judges from across the nation captivated and hanging on her every word.”

- State Bar of New Mexico