Oprah Visits Navajo Nation

Oprah Winfrey visited the Navajo Nation this week to gather footage for an upcoming episode of her show, tribal officials said.

Winfrey toured the Navajo capital of Window Rock, Ariz., on Wednesday and watched children perform a powwow dance, according to a statement released by the tribe.

"It was a real honor to have such a celebrity grace us with her presence, especially on sacred ground right under the Window Rock," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said. "She's a very likable person, of course, very honorable."

The Window Rock is a geographic feature that gave the community its name.

Priscella Littlefoot, the To'Nanees' Dizi Chapter coordinator who organized the event, said in the statement that "Oprah is our key to let the world in."

"Hopefully, Oprah's visit will portray that while we do have social problems, we're still rich in our heritage, our culture and language," she said.

The Navajo Nation said in a statement that Winfrey was shooting her first Native American segment for the show and that about 450 Navajo, Hopi and members from other tribes were present for the visit.

The appearance was a surprise, according to the statement, and Oprah visited with the people of the Navajo Nation for 44 minutes.

During that time she visited a jewelry vendors booth, learned the significance of a powwow dance and sampled a Navajo tortilla. She also took lots of photos and mingled with the people.

"I think her desire was to find out who we are," Littlefoot said in a statement.

A publicist for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" told CBSNews.com that the talk show host is filming an episode that's due to air this fall.