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| Mocs near the hogan & cedar fireplace Photo credit: Venaya J. Yazzie 2018 |
The winter season is near. The early morning chill of late November linger upon the high desert, mesa earth in northwest New Mexico: Dine'tah, (Navajoland).
This week I was able to be present among a community of young generation Dine' (Navajo) people. Through my curriculum design titled: Hogan Poetry I shared knowledge and experience with high school students a private school called Navajo Preparatory School in To'ta' (Farmington) NM.
Along with a fellow Dine' artist and poet, Esther Belin, we presented a poetry/literature workshop within the school's Navajo hogan.
The early morning class (7:55 am) begun with starting the fire in the hooghan. Soon the scent of burning cedar wood was fresh in the air, and the crackling of the red logs was rang through the space. The students, who hail for all across Dine' reservation, huddled side by side on cedar benches, waiting for us to begin the poetry workshop session.
This time of year is fascinating for the Dine' people, the five human senses are treated to a plethora of beautyful moments. The day I spent with the Navajo students was a blessing for me as they expressed their inspiration and creative abilities as they composed and shared their original poetry works. And furthermore, as a Dine' poet I was ableto express my great love of the Navajo tradition of Navajo Poetics via Navajo songs and prayers of the People.
As with most of my speaking and workshop engagements I always dress in the appropriate Dine' women's cultural attire. So, on this day I work my velvet Navajo skirt and blouse, and also my Navajo women's moccasins called Ke'tsaal. As a Navajo woman I am continually walking in the steps and ways of my female matriarchs. This Navajo teaching of asdzaa is very important to perpetuate, for the reason that gender is a vital and fundamental part of our Dine' culture.
Every day, every moment I am blessed to be a member of my tribal Dine' and Hopi nations, I am honored have such an identity. Nothing compares.
Blessings all around.
VJY
(posted 11-29-18)
Eastern Dine'tah
New Mexico, USA
