Blessings of the Desert Matriarchs

Family matriarchs putting up a loom.
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 

Winter blessings are upon us in the high desert southwest. My family is amidst the winter activities of the eastern Dine' people in northwest New Mexico.

 

I share this image as a means of blessings. I feel so very blessed to be able to be in the presence of such matriarchs as they put of a new weaving loom. The voices and conversations of my aunties and grandmothers is priceless. The language of the Dine' matriarch is medicine for my spirit.

 

I hope you are well and finding blessings in your own family circle and friends during this magical time of Christmas.

 

Blessings.

Indigenous Adornment site by Venaya Yazzie

Venaya Yazzie site description
 

Please visit and share my website concerning Indigenous Adornment which describes my specialized research and efforts in sharing and educating people and diverse communities about my tribal people's traditions and customs about adornment.

 

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Follow this link:

 

 

 

My Indigenous Adornment site

 

 

 

 

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Nizhoni Bears.

Nizhoni Bears made by Venaya Yazzie
Photo by YAZZGRL ART 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED



 

Its during this season that I take to the sewing studio where I am inspired to make my Blue Bird Bag - Nizhoni Bears.

 

Here I share my newest editions of my Nizhoni Bears. I with my aunt participate in the community holiday craft bazaars where we show and share our stories of the things we make. For me it is these bears and also my Nizhoni Blue Bird Bags too.

 

This new batch also includes some bears made of a poly/cotton blend material that looks somewhat like the famous Pendleton blankets. Each is unique in its creation and each carries my artist hallmark on them.

 

I make these Nizhoni Bears in the way of my matriarchs who also worked to reuse such items such as the Blue Bird flour bags. I currently have my bags posted for purchase on my Square Store account. Please follow link to view:

 

Nizhoni Bags

 

Blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kewa Earrings

I love receiving gifts especially when it concerns cultural jewelry, but more specifically when its earrings!

I really adore these new earrings gifted to me. Their were made by an artist jeweler from Kewa (Santo Domingo Pueblo) in New Mexico. They are made of pieces of abalone shell.

Just wanted to share some beautyful Indigenous-made jewelry with you!

Blessings

Tibetanportraits site

Tibetan female elder
Photo credit from Instagram via Tibetanportraits

As I have stated before, I am very interested in the global community of Indigenous people. I am also very much focused on finding the parallels that exist between those cultures and my own Indigenous desert tribal people of the Navajo and Hopi people.

 

Via social media sources I have been able to do my visual research on this topic. Of the many pages on Instagram one that is high on my list of favs is Tibetanportraits - which features the Indigenous people of the Tibetan region.

 

I recently found this image above which was posted by Tibetanportraits. This photo by far is fantastic. When I first saw this image I immediately recognized this elder, or should I say she very much reminded my of my own Navajo matriarchs in New Mexico. I love this image for many other reasons too, for one she eludes pure happiness and joy, how wonderful to see an elder smiling! Also I can see she is dressed in her cultural regalia and is holding some type of necklace or maybe a prayer necklace.

 

I continue my research on this topic of the similarities that exist among world cultures.

 

Blessings.

Dear Warrior Water Protector

Prayers at the Animas River for
those at Standing Rock.

Dear Warrior Water Protector,

I write to share my support and blessings and above all my prayers with you.  I share my words with you from the desert homeland of New Mexico and I burn sage for you and pray those old prayers for your health and protection. Please know that though I don’t know you and may never meet you in person, know that I love you.  You are our beautyful ancestors in pure color, living and breathing and fighting for OUR Indigenous people.

You bless OUR lives with what you have chosen to do at Standing Rock.  You are my hero(es), you are a blessed nation of warriors. Creator God knows your plight – please know that OUR divine Creator is always with you - in your sadness, hurt and in your triumphs HE knows. For HE knew you before you were born. HE made you beautifully and wonderfully and He listens to your prayers. Please don’t stray from Him. Please don’t be discouraged during this terrible time you are going through, for Indigenous peoples are all going through with you. Keep your spirit strong and your head up, you are meant to be just where you are, it has already been written in the stars above.  You were born for this moment in time, to be the Water Protectors, to be that child of God that wears His armor of Hope, Faith and Love….. YOU make me proud, you make all of us humble by your actions. Tó eí Iiná.

I am a humble artist, and I do my best to speak for OUR sacred lands and for OUR elders, but I cannot be there with YOU at the front lines and for this truth I am sad and discouraged.  I currently care for my maternal grandmother and cannot leave her side, but I have told her about YOU and your brilliant and brave efforts.  She said to tell you she LOVES you ‘grandchildren’ and she will pray her desert prayers for you. I send you my LOVE and above all my full support for what you are amidst of there TRUTH! – I can only share my humble words of encouragement at this time.  I think of you ALL daily, and send you all the good ways and good thoughts.          BLESS  the PEOPLE.

In love & prayer,

V. Yazzie - New Mexico USA

By Venaya J. Yazzie 2016

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

V

Bless the Water Protectors

Credits for song screenshot found at Butchie Eastwood channel on YouTube

Relatives I am at a loss for words.

The situation in Standing Rock has hit a terrible low, my Indigenous Brothers and Sisters are being mercilessly attacked with brutal force and evil violence.  Last night the North Dakota Sheriff and his hired goons used water to attack the Water Protectors at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation lands. The temperatures in ND are in the low teens and so the intentional use of water as a weapon was done so to do harm - in ensuring the people would get cold and literally freeze while out there.  The military-style enforcement was also were firing concussion grenades at the People, those Water Protectors...some of whom were physically hurt.

This event has gone so far beyond just so called "guarding" the pipeline construction, for this is plain racism and about pure hate.  Such tactics are dehumanizing and blatantly acts of violence against Creator God's beautiful Indigenous children.

Many of us Native artists are feeling the pain on a spiritual level, I have been in a type of mourning all day, my heart is heavy and I just cry tears for my people... This moment in time is at a turning point - my Indigenous people in America are being terrorized just because they are wanting to ensure the waters of the Missouri River are not going to be contaminated from oil mining and oil production.

Since the first europeans arrived here, on this ancestoral Indigenous land - They have had ill motives, we heard the accounts from living relatives through oral history and now as 21st century Indigenous ancestors we are seeing the truth of the hate They have for us.

 I pray I pray I pray I pray  - for protection of the Water Protectors at Standing Rock. In the end Goodness outshines evil. So I share this Lakota Prayer Song and dedicate it to the warriors in ND.

(Credits for song found at Butchie Eastwood channel on YouTube.)

Prayer Song

Bless the People.

New Blue Bird Handbag made by Venaya

New Blue Bird Handbag made by Venaya
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Always in the fall and winter seasons I find myself wanting to sew. So, I have been making my Blue Bird Handbags again. Pictured here is a new bag I made. This one is made with the Blue Bird flour sack, duck canvas and varied additions of ribbon and lace. As will all my bags I work with 'up-cycled' materials which include the flour sack.

I will have this bag available for purchase - along with other designs on my Square space store. You can browse my site. Here's the link:

Venaya Yazzie's Square Store

What Creator brings into my path

Holding my Masani's beautyful hands
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I recently crossed paths with an old friend - she was so surprised to see me! She said she wondered where I was or went to...she asked me "Are you still dancing?" We laughed because I guess we've both understand how we both have been busy with our lives.

Within the past several years I have devoted my time to  my grandparents. Since my paternal grandfather has passed on I devote most ( and all ) of my time to my grandmother. My life has changed much. I have bypassed those activities that once filled my time, including dancing a the local community powwows. I miss it, but I know I can always return when Creator brings that back into my life. Sometimes I'll look in my closet at my jingle dresses and occasionally put one on (just to see if it still fits..haha!) and think of all the good memories those beloved dresses hold.

I share this capture because it tells volumes about me in 2016. Today I am at the call of my 'masaani' - she is my immediate attention and most of what I do now is for her and with her by my side. As she travels that incredible road of old age, I am grateful and feel so very blessed to have the honor of caring for her.

I don't know what the future holds for me, but I have faith that Creator God has a plan for me and that is where I find my own 'peace.' I have my 'mamasaan' and I have my art - so, I am in a good way.

Bless each other.

Much respect Indigenous Veterans

Navajo moccasins worn by Venaya Yazzie
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Day eleven of my moccasin challenge.

In honor and respect I dedicate this blog entry to the U.S. Veterans who have passed on and to those who live.

My family has a history of members who have served in the American military. Collectively they served in the following:

Korean War - World War II - Vietnam War - Gulf War - Iraqi War

Words cannot describe how I feel for my family members who have served their country, for many of my Navajo family members the war was about protecting our Navajoland, our sacred places and our Dine' people.

Ahe'he. Thank you Brothers for what you have done.

In memory of of my late family members
who served in the Armed Forces:

George Chavez Sr. - Navajo Code Talker

Wilbert Werito - Korean War Veteran

Thomas Werito - Korean War Veteran

Johnny Black Sr. - Vietnam Veteran

Alfred Yazzie Jr. - Vietnam Veteran

Much respect.
Rest in Peace

in my melancholy

Photo capture of a post of mine on IG.
Photo credit - Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Welcome to Nilchits'osi' - this is called the month of the "small wind" in the Dine' way of seasons. This season concerns change and both the end of thing and new beginnings for the desert southwest Navajo people. To be sure, I am very grateful and, humbled to be a part of this change of seasons.

But, I am composing in a quiet state today, my soul is mourning and my thoughts are heavy. Yesterday I attended my uncles funeral. His name was Gary Tinhorn he was 75 years old, he died of cancer. Some may say he was old and lived a good life, but for me he was still young and so full of life, ready to continue loving life and living it to the fullest.  My uncle Gary was my late father's step-brother, Gary was my 'connection' to the life and history of my father Herman. Now both have left this earth - and now I feel a bit more alone... As I write here, I share my life because I believe my experience can help someone who reads this. I believe Creator God sends people into our paths for a reason, so now my writing may helps someone in someway.

In my melancholy I understand and realize how my senses are heightened... they say its a good time to create - whether you paint or bead or write and play music, the state of high emotion can be turned to the positive and inspire your muse.  I am blessed right now to watch my maternal grandmother weave, she is helping (unconsciously) heal my brokenheart.  I sit with her in the early morning light and the evenings, and in silence I just observe her sacred act of creation.

Before my uncle passed I was able to sit with him and share presence and just simply tell him that I loved him - this left me with a heavy heart. But, what was also on my mind was the situation at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in North Dakota. Since the summer of 2016 my 'beautyful' Brothers and Sisters have been standing guard, PROTECTING the land and the precious water that is shared on their ancestral homelands.

My Indigenous people are literally under physical attacks from security hired by the big oil companies who are financially supporting the Dakota Access Pipeline project - it seems these billionaires will do anything to protect oil, no matter what. What I have seen and heard is that the so called security hired are very violent and outright racist in their actions toward the First People of the Americas who are simply acting as PROTECTORS of the water.

I pray daily. I pray hourly is seems for them. I ask CREATOR GOD to protect my Brothers and SISTERS at the NODAPL. I humbly ask Creator to keep them strong mentally, spiritually and physically as they stand on the "front lines" protecting the live-giving water on their homelands. The point of their encampment is to ensure and make the WORLD aware of the potential for oil contamination of the waters of the Missouri River if the pipeline is built so close to the river and water table.

The activity that the hired security is pure evil. They are using militarized weapons and vehicles on the WATER PROTECTORS as Standing Rock reservation. They are spraying elders and women with mace, and shooting bean bag bullets at the men. In their deplorable actions they have also desecrated SACRED SITES, including burials and ceremonial sweat lodges. I have seen how fully garbed National Guardsmen have unlawfully entered sweat lodge ceremonies and forcefully dragged out the Indigenous men... This is injustice. The human rights of my Indigenous people being ignored on a daily basis.

My stomach turns and twists when I think of the demise in North Dakota - my Indigenous people are suffering from direct acts of VIOLENCE all because they choose to PROTECT the WATER.

In this season I am grateful for my life and my family and too for my Brothers and Sisters at Standing Rock. As an act of tangible gratitude I am going to wear my moccasins for the duration of the month - as a reminder of them and also to stay in a type of mourning for my late uncle.

PRAY for each other, PRAY in the morning, in the night. PRAY.

Masani's Loom - Beautyway

Masani's loom
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This capture of my maternal grandmother's weaving loom concerns the true 'beautyway' of my family. This weekend my grandmother finished this set up and thus began weaving. Together we will work in a collaboration on this rug. I cherish the moments when I can sit with her (and the cat) and just listen to the delicate sounds of her at her loom.

She is a master of mathematics when she is counting the strings of her loom, as she determines in her mind what kind of rug design the loom wants her to make. Its a 'beautyful' thing to be in her presence watching her in her happiness, her solace, her quiet strength at the loom. 

Form her I find myself, my identity as a Dine' woman, as a woman of the Manyhogans clan of eastern Navajoland. She is my strength and my muse. I love her to the moon.

Autumn blessings!

Ghąąjį́ - Happy Navajo New Year!

Golden aspen leaves
Photo by Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Autumn is here!

This time of year the earth is 'adorned' with the beautyful colors of the season - and I am grateful for the experience. The Navajo name for this season is Aak’ei. 

The calendar name for this month is October which is ending the non-Navajo calendar year, but for my the Navajo people its a new beginning, a "new year" if you will. October season  is expressed as Ghąąjį́’ -which refers to a 'separating of the seasons.' This expression cannot be paralleled with American the global sense of time or place. This season is about welcoming the Navajo-ways of being or belief system (Epistemology) for the Diné, the Navajo people.

Today many of us are harvesting our crops which may include, corn, beans, squash and melons. So, across New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, which our reservation lands are situated, we also amidst celebration and thankfulness of our harvests.

I planted late this year so I am in the process of making a shelter for my corn and melons as the temperatures in the high-desert southwest have been already in the mid-30s nightly. As I mentioned I adore this season for all the reasons I listed above, but I also love this time of year for the pure enjoyment of the the diverse colors. The photo featured here is one I captured a week ago while trekking in southwestern Colorado, near Silverton. The trees are blooming with the rich colors of Autumn and are so wonderful to see and walk among. 

I hope this season finds you well and happy about each moment you are able to experience in the Nature.

Blessings.

The gull of non-Indigenous to justify their Cultural Appropriation of the Navajo Language

This is Cultural Appropriation

I am a Navajo person - my desert lineage is rooted in the American southwest. I am a Navajo woman of many generations of Dine' blood and clan lines from my matriarchs. I was raised to know the right ways to live a good life and to point out or speak out against injustice or ill-mannered intentions.

This posting concerns a non-Indigenous company from India, who are making so-called "dreamcatchers" which they describe as "pan-Indian." Basically they are copying the cultural item from the Ojibwe tribal people in the Americas and selling them as their own work inspired by their love and adoration of the culture.

My main concern though is the use of my Navajo language, or should I say the misuse of my sacred Navajo language expression of 'hozho.' This term is not one to be used in a way that is disrespectful or out of term. It is the medicine people of my tribe who use this expression to help my Dine' people heal. This company however is using the term 'hozho' to sell their products online. They are using the expression in a way that is disrespectful. They are not Navajo, and just because they found the term online does not give them full permission to use it in a wrong way.

This non-Navajo entity is trying to justify using my tribal language expression as okay. According to their website they state:

"The word Hozho has an independent meaning in the dictionary. It can be easily looked up on the Internet to find its roots in the Navajo thesaurus..."

This may be the case but it does not mean you can use the term loosely and for your own gain.  The Navajo language is a sacred language, as a Navajo I do not agree with this company using my language as a marketing 'tool' to sell their new age, wannabe products.

They posted this information yesterday and it can be reviewed at their site:

Hozho Dreamcatchers

Honestly, if your trying to sell a product find an expression in your own language to sell your kitsch Hozho Dreamcatchers. 

Misuse of Indigenous Languages

Captures of the webiste hozhodreamcatchers .com

Recently I became aware of an outfit from Pune, India that makes and sells the trendy, new age, wannabe item: the dreamcatcher. The idea of this bothers me but what I am most disturbed by is their disrespectful use of my Dine' language, and expression of 'hozho' to sell their foul product(s).

I posted my discontent on their Instagram site HozhoDreamcatchers (.com)last evening  and when I checked back this morning they deleted it.

As 21st century Indigenous people WE collectively deal with so much negative stereotypes of our culture whether it be the Halloween "Indian Princess" costumes or the use of our image as mascots - but I have not seen the misuse of our Indigenous languages... until now.

This company from India is culturally misappropriating the Dine' (Navajo) term 'hozho.' This term is a Navajo expression - and is used in healing ceremonies. I am not happy with their use of the word to sell their products.

Indigenous Native languages are sacred - I believe they are tied directly to the soul or identity of the person, in this case the Navajo person. Just because its found on the Internet or in a book does not mean it should be mis-used or used by a non-Navajo person to sell their product.

Be vigilant my Indigenous - protect and fight for your culture and language.

New site - Indigenous Adornment

A view of my new website header featuring Navajo model Crystal Birdhead
dressed in garments I designed and produced.
Photo credit Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Happy September 29th - for we only have a couple more glorious days of the month left.  As you might guess I adore the month of September. For one it's my birthday month, but also the birth date of several of my family members including my maternal grandmother.

I wanted to share some news today concerning my ongoing research on 'indigenous adornment.'   Yesterday I launched my new website called "Indigenous Adornment." It is my hope that this site will continue to promote southwestern cultural adornment of the Dine' (Navajo) and Pueblo (Hopi) peoples of Arizona and New Mexico, USA.

As I have mentioned on several previous entry's this research I have been doing for the past five years or so has lead me to produce a book manuscript and hopefully soon a book. I am always inspired by my immediate desert matriarchs and patriarch as I continue on this great journey of my proposed book.

I have launched this new site with hopes that it will inspire others, educate the global community and bring awareness to the public about Indigenous southwestern tribal/cultural adornment practices. And further that it will perpetuate the tribal narrative of my family and tribal commuunity - and the importance of our identity in the 21st century, including our ways of adorning as acts of resiliency.

I hope you are blessed with love and laughter in your life - enjoy the rest of September!

Blessings in all things.

-Venaya  

Good earrings all around

Earrings made by Hopi Pueblo artist M. Honyouti
_______________________________
Photo credit- Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Wearing earrings made by Hopi artist M. Honyouti
__________________________

Imagination is the key to successful art.

In my opinion - the more diverse experience a person has the more complex and interesting their art is. The number of southwestern desert artists is abundant and so there is a wonderful variety of art in the Americas.

Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to travel the desert homleands and thus have explored and found new artists. But, this time it was social media that I trekked and found a great Hopi artist who makes these 'nizhoni-ful' earrings. I have seem many earrings in my day and by far these are the most 'beautyful' and so very unique. I recently purchased these earrings from M. Honyouti who is an Arizona artist. He makes Hopi carvings and also these awesome earrings - his work is showcased online. ( His website is at www.mhonyouti.com )

With each art piece I purchase I find it like adding a new family member. These earrings are my new favorites, and I wear them with happiness. For me this is about 'adorning' oneself with the spirit of creativity and therefore an act of Indigenous Adornment. And too, its a birthday present for myself - today is my birthday!

Blessings.

Water is Life

Capture from  National Native News email
Photo credit of Grand Canyon, AZ - Jonathan Zander

Today I post this capture of the news coming out of 'Indin' Country.' These stories are so very relevant in these chaotic times in America. My Indigenous people are still here and WE collectively are doing the best we can to survive and stomp out colonialist tactics.

Everyday we stand up for ourselves and other Indigenous nations in the Americas - as of now many of us are standing as 'Protectors' of ancestral Indigenous lands. The Dakota Sioux people at the Standing Rock reservation are currently holding up a campsite in North Dakota in defense of their land.

They stand as united voices or ALL human beings, only asking for the waters of the Missouri river to be protected from an oil pipeline.

The society WE dwell in America has chosen to forget Us Indigenous -for they failed in their genocide against us, we are so very strong in our spiritual ways, in our prayers, in our ceremony - we are the chosen people of Creator, only He can take us from this earth.

I wanted to share this expression with you on this blog because the message is so very important and is not being told on national media news. OUR Indigenous story is still strong because WE Indigenous still live.

Water is Life. Believe it!

-Blessings All Around-
vj

Yazzgrl Art beadwork creations

Yazzgrl Art beadwork creations
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Yazzgrl Art beadwork creations
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Dine' expression of corn

Cornfield blessings
Photo credit: Venaya Yazzie 2016
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

Naadaa. This is the Dine' expression of 'corn.'

For the desert southwest people, corn is everything. For many of us corn is a living entity. For the most part we look as the existence of corn as a blessing to us, and to our daily ways of being. We use the corn tassel or corn pollen for our prayerlife and to bless the children. We use the corn stalk leaves for rolling mountain tobacco, again for our prayers. And the corn itself is utilized in a plethora of different ways from consumption to the details of ceremonial life.

Corn along with water are very important to our lives. For, without water, we would not be able grow this 'beautyful' plant. In every aspect of our Indigenous desert lives, water is essential.

I feel it a very big blessing to be able to enter the garden and be among the corn and melons... I have grown these plants traditionally and from heirloom seeds that have been passed down from my great-grandmother and other of my relatives. I captured this 'beautyful' moment in time as I watered the garden. This moment for me was prayer in everyway.

In blessings.

The Role of 21st Indigenous Femme

Photo credit via Instagram from Sinchitribe user
2016

I am very moved by this image. I got this capture from Instagram posting @Sinchitribe - which is a gallery that post images of Indigenous people.

Today I am very much in thought about the ways that Indigenous people globally, but specifically in the Indigenous in America daily perpetuate 'matriarch.' As I've mentioned before in my blog I was raised with my desert Navajo matriarchs all around me. My maternal grandmother raised me, and I remember always seeing my great-grandmother in my peripheral vision...my Navajo patriarchs were also a part of my upbringing, but it was the woman, always the women who ensured the ways of the matriarch.

In 2016 I am fortunate to still have some of my matriarchs in my life- from them I gain new knowledge and an able to hear the conversations of the female language from them. I cannot express fully the good medicine such environments bring to my being, it is beyond my comprehension. So much of the time I am silent in their presence, for that is respect but also it is about listening to their voices uttering ancient language of Dine' ancestors.

Women in 'Indian Country' are the most amazingly strong and resilient women on the planet - we as female entities, and as tribal matriarchs are the backbone of our communities. But, be sure we are not ego-lead, instead we understand our roles in Indigenous life and we find and perpetuate that 'balance' that is essential for healthy, prosperous Indigenous circles.

Bless each other with your laughter and prayers.

In Solidarity with Standing Rock #NODAPL

#NODAPL
#PROTECTSACREDSITES
#INDIGENOUSLIVESMATTER
+  +  +  +
Protect sacred sites, protect Indigenous lands and water

> > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -I>

Relatives, the time has come for the unity of my tribal nations. The time has arrived for many of us Indigenous in the 21st century to unite and support each other. Whether we are Apache, Umatilla, Seneca, Seminole, Yurok, Metis, Navajo or Pueblo... - We all must all be there for each other.

The time is here for us to kick apathy to the curb and, stand up and support the brothers and sisters at the Standing Rock Dakota Sioux community -for they exist at the Sacred Stone encampment in North Dakota as children of the Earth, descendants of great warrior people, men and women who fought to protect the land.

For a couple of days last week, American national news has covered some of the activity at Sacred Stone encampment, and they have reported on the situation of the installment of the Dakota Access Pipeline, but in my opinion not enough. As the government (who is back by the leading corporate banks) has decided to put an oil pipeline through a portion of Indigenous Sioux lands, the water that runs as the Missouri river is in limbo. The fact that an oil pipe would be put near a life-giving source is stupid. Corporate entities do not are about human health or safety, for they in their actions have disrespected the Indigenous tribal sovereignty of the Standing Rock Dakota Sioux people and furthermore the entire community of human and animal life who utilize the waters of the Missouri river.

Today many Indigenous brothers and sisters, children and elders and also non-Native Indigenous people have gathered at the Sacred Stone camp in ND. They are there not at "protestors" as the national media has labeled them - they are there as PROTECTORS of the people and the land and of the sacred sites and burial sites. The Indigenous people are simply standing up for their ancestral lands to ensure the waters are not polluted by the installment and implementation of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Please, please do your research on this 21st century injustice. WE the Indigenous people love our lands, WE (many of us) hold the land sacred in our lives and WE protect our lands from evil people with bad intentions, who in the end create and perpetuate bad situations.

I as a Dine' / Hopi woman, as an desert person, as a modern Indigenous artist fully support my brothers and sisters at Standing Rock at the Sacred Stone camp. Though I cannot be physically present there, I send my prayers for protection and strength of my Indigenous.

BLESS EACH OTHER.

September blessings- artist residency with Dancing Earth Creations in Colorado

Durango, CO

Indigenous femme artists: Venaya and Rulan Tangen,
Dancer Dancing Earth Creations

Mandala-inspired art creation by Venaya Yazzie.

The month of September has brought many blessings for me. The one blessing came in an opportunity to work with gifted artist Rulan Tangen. She is the founder and dancer of Dancing Earth Creations and world renowned dance troupe from Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

I was able to work alongside Rulan and her community of dancers, artists, elders and the art community of Durango in southwestern Colorado this passed week. During time we all collaborated on a plethora of art projects. I was able to be my full creative self and designed and implemented an interactive community mandala-inspired project. at the Center of Southwest Studies on the Fort Lewis College campus.

During this time I located and gathered various desert flora and fauna, including rocks and sand and also water from the Animas river - and make this temporary art installation piece pictured above. In the end this piece was used as inspiration for Rulan and her dancers and incorporated in her performance.

Each moment of this project as inspired by the season and nature. I am very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such brilliant, creative Indigenous minds.

Indigenous artists bless

 Indigenous artists: Esther G. Belin (Poet), Gary Farmer
(Actor/Musician) and myself Venaya Yazzie

Greetings Friends and Relatives in and out of Indin'Country! The season of Autumn is here in the high desert southwest, I feel to very blessed to be amidst all of the change.

I share this image with you because it reveals the modern Indigenous artist(s). I have been blessed to have been a part of the annual Indigenous Fine Arts Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe, New Mexico again. This year the market took place August 18-29 in Santa Fe, NM in the SF Railyard District.

During those two-days I again was able to meet new people and re-connect with Indigenous artists. We all where their to show and sell our art, but also to unite and support each other. This IFAM experience has been a blessed one for me since its inaugural introduction in 2014. I plan to do be a participant in this market every year.

I love this capture for it depicts three modern Indigenous artists: Esther G. Belin (Poet), Gary Farmer (Actor/Musician) and myself Venaya Yazzie (Artist). Gary stopped by our share IFAM booth and greeted us and we all talked some about art and the market. He was genuine in his dialogue and expressed gratitude in being able to see all the Native artists in person at IFAM.

Though there was some turmoil at this year's IFAM event, we all got through it.
I look forward to next year because I know the real GOOD that IFAM brings to the autonomy and brilliance of the modern Indigenous artist.

Bless.

BlueBird Handbag

BlueBird Handbag made by Venaya Yazzie
Photo courtesy of Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

I everything I create I strive to make it original. As I've posted before I was inspired to make these Blue.Bird bags by my grandmother, who was constantly re-using and thus making items with the bags.

With this new line of my bags I have decided on original screenprinting on the cotton fabric. Using black ink and the black ric rack and ribbon give definition to the new line of my Blue.Bird handbags. I also have added a handmade tassle for a signature.

Look for this new line at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial at Red Rocks State Park near Gallup, NM and at the Indigenous Fine Arts Market in Santa Fe, NM.

Update - Bead Fusion - Yazzgrl Art

Bead Fusion - Yazzgrl Art
Photo credit Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHSTS RESERVED 2016

Update on my 'Bead Fusion' project.

I am down to the wire on this project, I have eight days to complete including the presentation of if (framing it). And then it will be ready to view and purchase at the Indigenous Fine Arts Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico this August.

Maybe I'll see ya there!  Blessings

Trek the Nature

Trekkin' the Nature
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Hiking the 'beautyful' outdoors is my favorite time in life. It is in the Nature that I am able to be humbled in a good way and find gratitude for the life I have.

This image was taken on a trek recently to the Santa Fe area. I was able to stop off and do some exploring in the mountain area.

This season is the best time to be outside trekking. For me its a time to become inspired by the randomness of the wild: the trees, plants, flora, water, and sky and animals.  I always find blessings in the outdoor treks. Enjoy it!

Blessings

Beadwork fusion - Yazzgrl Art

Yazzgrl Studio is my beadwork fusion by Venaya
PHOTO credit VENAYA YAZZIE
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2016

Recent works in the Yazzgrl Studio is my beadwork fusion.

As you may know I am a painter, but I also love doing beadwork.  One day I had the lightbulb go off and the Muse clapped and I was inspired to make something new!

I decided to fuse my painting imagery with my beadwork. This is the result. I am currently will working on this piece an will debut it later this month in Santa Fe, during the IFAM and Indian Market festivities.

I am happy about it.

Blessings.