Steps Toward a Revised Theology

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Harmony

My dinétah friends had me thinking this morning about what has become a favorite prayer or affirmation for me. It comes from the Night Way Chant (Yéíbichei). It is “Hóózhó naashá.” Usually translated “In beauty I walk,” it can also have the connotation of harmony. As a Jazz musician, I know that harmony is the most important element in a song. The jazz musician uses the melody as a starting point to explore harmony. I have value in this world. In fact the experience of life would be less beautiful with out the harmony I add. It allows for and celebrates differences. It doesn’t judge. Naashá is also used to describe where one comes from. In Navajo we aren’t “from” somewhere, we “walk around” somewhere. So I was raised Da’akózh taa, among the greaswood. In answer to the question “where do you live?” I would say “Da’akózh taa déé naashá.” I am from (walk around) among the greasewood. Hóózhó can also mean “care,” as in take care, be care-ful. “I walk care-fully.” So the prayer can trans...
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Are You Navajo?

Ni’ísh diné? Uh, no. I’m a skinny white kid. I can see why you’d Make that mistake, though. Being as Far away from anything bilagáana as you can get. Fifteen miles off the highway. Ninety miles from the grocery store, hospital, movie theater, cool green grass. Far away, too, from anyone that looks remotely like me. Except the Two albino boys at the top of Toh Ádin. Hágósha’? Jó naashá. I’m just wandering around. Just trying to make sense of this. I was Born here. Just a few miles away in the corner room of a Trading post. Tsé Nitsaa Deezʼáhí, Rock that extends. Delivered by a Lutheran Missionary doctor that when I was older I Thought looked like a german soldier in Pa’s American Heritage WWII book. Haa dóoneé nílí? Well I guess you could say born of Sheldrake. Born for Staley. Duck clan; Blacksmith clan. But we don’t really think that way. I might as well have No people. My classmate once asked me where I was from. Here, I said. But where are your people? Kansas, Michigan, Canada, En...
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