Southwest Beauties.



Turquoise necklaces from Kewa Pueblo, NM @ Shiprock, NM
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2013

 I am fortunate to have roots in the desert Southwest. I am happy about my land and my People, the Dine' and Hopi people. This weekend I was very glad to be amidst the celebration of fall harvest during the annual Dine' Nation Northern Fair in Shiprock, New Mexico on the Navajo reservation.

This fair takes place accordingly in October, which is the New Year's beginnings for the Navajo people, and when the Dine' harvest is in full effect! Indigenous farmers are reeping and sharing their crops with the community via the community Farmer's Markets and along the roadside. The great thing about the crops is that they are GMO-Free products! Many Dine' people still farm using traditional Indigenous farmingon techniques which includes using 100% organic soil and family-heirloom seeds, truly a strong and sovereign food source.

Among the many varities of melons, squash, corn and other organic vegetables, is tuquoise in its many forms. Necklaces, earrings, pins, bracelets, rings, hat bands and buckles are scattered throughout the fair community. This includes jewerly made by the Navajo and Pueblo people of the region.

This photograph I took was made by jewelers from Kewa Pueblo of New Mexico. The necklaces showcase the variety of turquoise made ADORNMENTS. The use of raw chunk turquoise stones to stabilized, formed turquoise are evident and also the use of shell varieties.

The annual Northern Navajo Shiprock Fair is the beginning of the Dine' cultural calendar. It is a blessing in its many form because it truly bring the community of many cultures of the area together.

Many Blessings!