Adams] 



SHONTO: ROLE OF NAVAHO TRADER 



139 



Frequency distribution of 1955 income in Shonto households and 

 residence groups is shown in tables 23 and 24. Because of the high 

 degree of economic interdependence within residence groups, how- 

 ever, individual household income figures are significant primarily 

 as showing the distribution of production in the community. Con- 

 sumption is reflected much more accurately in the residence group 

 income figures. At the household level the most realistic picture of 

 income distribution is achieved by dividing the income of each resi- 

 dence group by the number of households included therein, and plot- 

 ting a frequency distribution of these dividends. A column of such 

 "adjusted household incomes" is included in table 25. Entries in this 

 column follow a much more normal and expectable curve than do those 

 in the column of raw household incomes. 



The contexts of day-to-day living as between Shonto and off-reser- 

 vation Wliite communities, even in the same general region, are so 

 completely different that income figures cannot be compared at face 

 value. With one or two exceptions Shonto's Navahos pay no taxes, 

 no utility charges, and no rent or use fees. (School employees are 

 subject to a deduction for quarters, and also pay Federal income tax, 

 as do seasonal employees of Navajo National Monument.) They also 

 receive entirely free all medical and dental service ; schooling, board 

 and lodging for all school-age children ; and a variety of minor services 

 for which non-Indians regularly have to pay. The combined value of 

 these exemptions is probably equal to at least one-third of Shonto's 



Tabi^ 23. — Frequency distril>ution of income in SJionto residence groups 



Table 24, — Frequency distriiution of income in Shonto households * 



1 Income from bome consumption of livestock products prorated among livestock-owning households only 

 (of. table 18). 



