Blessings in crafts of southwest Indigenous origins and narrative

From the visions and dreams of my Hopi ancestry I create ear adornments. Life as a Dine'/ Hopi female being is a blessing, I am never without great appreciation for this identity from the beauty of the Southwest.

Each earring I create is inspired by the ancestral items that have been seen at sacred sites such as Chaco Canyon in New Mexico but also in other still inhabited areas of the Pueblo people, including Hopi.

My late maternal grandfather, Alfred Yazzie Sr., carried and shared the family oral history of life at Chaco before the U.S. National Park system tool it over in the 1930s. It is from this narrative that I still inspired to create such beauty items of my paternal grandfather's lineage at Hopi.

As a modern southwest artisan, I feel very blessed to carry on the tradition and craft of making cultural jewerly adornments. I never take my abilities and cultural knowledge for granted. I am happy to make these earrings, for I don't who will? Such crafts need to be passed on to the coming generations so our collective narratives do not leave us. Blessings, Venaya Yazzie

Brother Peltier Freed!! Jan. 20, 2025

Brother Peltier pardoned! Thank you, Creator, our Brother Leonard is FREE!!!!

HISTORIC!! Leonard Peltier PARDONED!!!!!

Native Art Voices of the 4Corners Podcast: Artists Voices of NM. AZ. CO, UT

Ya'ashjaachi'li, this is the season of 'melting /baking snow.' A response to nature and how the climate manages the elements such as snow. Within the Dine' ways of being, there traditionally was not calendar that was based on Euro-American concepts of time passage. Instead the Dine' people's lives were wrapped in the state of the seasons approching and passing. In the high desert lands of the Dine' people, near the four corners communities of New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Utah the Dine' exisit in a myriad of 'seasons.' While most of the snow patterns occur in southwest Colorado near the area of Mt. Hesperus and in regions of southeast Utah In northwest New Mexico though the sun shines most of the 365 days and in the winter the nights are frigid, but not alot of snow cover. I mention this weather experience because of this season that my people, the Dine' call Ya'ashjaachi'li. The Dine' language is a very-oriented language, a living language! Among my people, speaking the mother tongue is partake in the never-ending concept of creation. When we speak Dine', we are in essence continuing the story of our lifetimes, our Dine' existence. I know I was very fortunate to have my great-grand parents and maternal grandparents by my side for most of my pre-adult and mature adult life. From there sharing of knowledge and experiences of life in the eastern region of the Navajo nation, I learned by participation and via listening to my elderly community of individuals. As a Dine' woman with Hopi lineage from my paternal grandfather, I now contstantly seek out first person knowledge in my research. In 2025 I plan to continue my efforts of speaking to the elderly people of my four corners community not only through visits with them, but also via the podcast that I produce called Native Art Voices of the 4Corners. This podcast is made possible through funding by the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council and in co-operation with KSJE 90.9 FM community radio at San Juan College. By engaging with Native/ Indigenous artists of NM, UT, CO and AZ stories are told about the act of creating art. From elder's who are silversmiths, to young generations contemporary painters, the podcast places focus on their craft, their skills, their inspiration!

You can tune into the interviews globally at the provided link below. .......................................................................................................>>>>>>--------------------------> NATIVE ART VOICES 4CORNERS PODCAST: ................................<----------------------------<<<<<<<<<<<<<<.......................... Many voices, many stories to celebrate in 2025! Stay tuned in.