Diné (Navajo) poetry is Identity

In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council is sponsoring this Farmington/ Four Corners community literary event. Invited poets include Tina Deschenie (Navajo/Hopi) and Manny Loley (Navajoj). During this event both poets will do an oratory reading of their orginal poetry works. For the Diné (Navajo), poetry is closely paralled to the concepts of tradition cultural prayers and songs. For the Diné (Navajo) poetry is narrative of identity, and therefore is rooted in the oral tradition of the People. Traditionally the act of 'telling' or 'talking' story is referred to as hané. Hané for the Diné is a way of orally enacting and or continuing Diné creation stories. The language of the Diné is a verb-oriented language and so therefore when speaking in the 'mother tongue' the Diné person is perpeuating their existence in their current creation story. Tina Deschenie is a good person and a treasured friend of mine and I am happy to be the emcee for this event, as I will be doing the introductions of both poets. The poetry that Tina creates reminds me of "home," or the places in my memory of childhood when I was in the company of my elder family members. When I read Tina's poetry it feels as though I am transcending to the safe and compassion-driven spaces of my memory, her poetry is like a beloved grandmother's hug. Manny Loley is an upcoming poet whose work is diverse and truly a breath of fresh high-desert air! In the modern Diné society there are only a handful of male poets who are actively creating and sharing their poetry as a form of art. But, traditionally the tribe has many 'poets' or people who perpeuate the concepts of the oral story tradition, they are our Diné male healers and singers. I think the perspective that Manny brings to the table is a new adventure, he takes me, as a reader to new place not yet explored on Navajoland. It will nothing but a blessing to attend this poetry event on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Encore Coffee Shop in Farmington, NM. Be there and be part of the hózhó. Blessings All Around! VJY