What does 'matriarch' mean?

Venaya with her family 'matriarchs' circa 1973.
Photo: Venaya Yazzie
2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

I share this image of myself and my great grandmother and maternal grandmother because it's one of my favorite family captures.

As long as I remember I have always been in the presence of my matriarchs, communally they raised me up.  The one steadfast way of being that stands out about my experience their strength in prayer and belief in God.

The term matriarch has many meanings for various people, for me though it concerns the tradition of prayer in our lives.  Long before I was born, my maternal grandparents gave their lives to Jesus Christ and lived their remaining lives as Believers in Him.  They raised up their family to have such faith, and so we did not dwell in the traditions and dogma of the Navajo religion.

The family story goes that my great grandmother seen the Navajo belief system as a means of instilling fear in the lives of the people. She did not want to be fearful of anything and therefore lived a live as a Navajo free from superstitions and tribal taboos and such fear-related borders.

They raised up their children to also be followers in Jesus Christ. So, my legacy too is to be in one almighty Creator God. I have tried to live my best life in the shadow of Christ, but at times have fallen short. But, all we can do as humans is to do our best to love one another with great compassion and care for each other.

I share this entry with you as a means of stating that I truly believe in the power of prayer, it has been instilled in me and it is how I find strength and harbor.  When people in the world, including family (sadly), come against you via jealousy and ill will, I have faith that prayer and belief in God will keep me safe.

This concept is, in my opinion, how I see the term 'matriarch' embodied in my family line. It is our family tradition to continually pray foe one another and love each other as good as we can.  And though we fail and fall again and again, we proceed on, knowing that our Creator has grace for us.

So, as matriarchs, pray for each other as a means of blessing one another.

Blessings all around.

VJY