Turns out the gentleman was an original Navajo Code Talker; like the men they made the movie about a few years back. It was very interesting to visit with him, and he showed us in the books where his own story was recorded, along with pictures of him as a young man. The relatively few Code Talkers still alive these days are all in their nineties, and they are trying to preserve their history and keep interest in their roles in the war alive. They are also trying to help the younger generation of Navajos take an interest in their language and history, as much of it has been lost to schooling and the pressure to not live a traditional life.
These gentlemen have a website: www.dinecodetalkers.org, , and a FB page: DineCodeTalkers. They offer several books, do lectures and other presentations that help to spread their message. I felt badly that I could not donate to them, so my "spreading the word" will hopefully make up for that. Please check them out and keep passing along their information!
We've made the trip to Albq and back several times now. The route has become familiar to me. We pass through endless stretches of Indian reservations; Apache, Ute, some sub tribes, but mostly the land is Navajo. Over the years, the huts have become modular homes, often with a circular building for their specific cultural rites. Oil development was what we noticed the most this trip; wells and transfer stations, some small refineries, popping up every where. I suppose that will be another stream of income, and perhaps employment, for the tribal associations.
One other interesting thing that I learned is that the Federal Anti-Smoking laws don't apply on reservation properties. We stopped in Farmingon NM to visit with one of my sons, and we took him to lunch at a sports bar/casino nearby. Amazingly, the place was heavy with cigarette smoke! We had forgotten what it used to be like in public places when smoking was more common. Good thing I had my Breathe oil in my purse!
Back in the 80's, we used to pile all our kids in the car and drive from Las Vegas, NV to southern California to visit my family. Along the way, at rest stops, we would often see Navajos- women, mostly- sitting on the grass with their blankets spread with jewelery and other goods for sale. It was always interesting to look and see- and sometimes buy!- the beautiful things they had made. You couldn't beat the prices, either. I never heard why they were stopped from doing it, but I know that the last time I drove to California, they weren't there.
A fun aspect of our trip home Sunday was going out to Four Corners and discovering that the Navajo Nation runs the site; there is a $5.00 per person fee to enter. It was exciting to take our pictures on the disc representing the conjunction of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.. Then we turned our attention to the numerous vendor booths surrounding the monument. They weren't all occupied, but we went around and enjoyed seeing all the items available, and visiting with the salespeople, who were mostly older, some of whom were working on items as we shopped. One young man had a radio playing in the background; it was a program all in the Navajo language, and we enjoyed listening for a bit. Even for an overcast Sunday afternoon, the monument and stores were fairly busy. There are also some food booths nearby. The vendors told us that in the summer, there are long lines to get to stand on the metal plate depicting the center point, and that the entire area is filled with people taking photos and shopping. I imagine that's a pretty good living in the summer. Most everyone said their merchandise were things they had made, and a couple of them said the stones were locally dug up and polished. There was a beautiful variety of jewelery, arrows, beading and even t shirts! As we drove the 18 miles back out to the highway, two tour buses were headed in. Apparently they keep pretty busy out there year around!
I have some personal issues with the way our government has treated the Native nations, and with the continuing stereotypes and lack of expectation that is had about tribal people. I know their struggles and the habits of some are real, and I know we can't "make up" for all the past mis-treatment and events that have occurred, but I hope and pray that as a people, they can move forward and improve their lot and opportunity on the land available to them. I especially hope that they can develop sustainable industries and educate their own children while maintaining the culture that is important to them. I think hearts have to be open on both sides for resolution and healing to occur, and for our societies to see eye to eye.
All in all, we had a great weekend, and I am grateful for these experiences and the things I learned in my limited contact with Native people. If you head out that way, pay attention and try to view them with love and interest in their well being. I'll write again soon!
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