Past and present matriarchs

The hands of my maternal grandmother Jane
Photo by Venaya Yazzie
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2017

As an Indigenous southwest desert woman, my language, my art, my daily rituals are rooted in the ways of my past and present matriarchs. I am them and they are me.  The modern existence of the Indigenous person is a sacred thing, we should all recognize this and send our gratefulness to our Creator God in our prayers.  This is the way we are to continue our existence in the 21st century and beyond, through gratitude and prayer.

As an adult, I realize how very blessed I am to have been born and raised among the many Dine' woman of my mother' s side of the family. I grew up in two households, that of my great grandmother Louise and also the home of my maternal grandmother Jane. My childhood was chaotic at times, but mostly it was full of the rich Navajo language and strong-willed, artistic, independent women and men.

Today I sat across from my ma'sani Jane (who raised me up as her own child) and I seen and felt the 'Beauty' of her way radiating from her.  In her hands alone she was a tangible example of our Dine' philosophy of  'Beautyway.' I know how blessed I am to have her in my life, she makes my life fuller and brighter.  Creator God has a plan for each and everyone of us, He knows our needs and makes a road for us to travel, one that has many things to teach us and help us to understand His ways.

I am blessed in this way.  To be able to be a caregiver for my ma'sani is good medicine. I look forward to each day I spend with her, and look forward to what history, or joke or just a smile she will gladly and freely share with me.

In a society that does not have much respect for the elderly, I know that much of my family is respectful to ways of the Navajo elder. This act of compassion and empathy for the Navajo elder in our lives is a way of de-colonization.  We as Indigenous people must carry on and perpetuate the old ways of our People, and care for our elders when they are in their 'golden' years.

Go hug your elder today! Tell them how much they are appreciated and loved.

Be Blessed in All your Ways.