Reclaiming
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The Right Sequence: Guardians, Innovators, & Guides
I have these childhood memories of dancing, closing my eyes, and hoping that with the right sequence of steps and grace, I could call forth the rain. Then, there it was. The raindrops kissing my skin. The mud caressing my feet. My body bursting with joy and laughter being liberated. I remember the strike of…
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Photography as Storytelling
Several months ago, I submitted the above photo in a contest sponsored by URI Research and Scholarship. It was the first time that I shared my photo without filtering my audience. The photo submitted was also my re-entry into photography, as I have been neglecting it since I graduated last year. I am happy to…
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Telling (Creation) Stories in the 21st Century
I recently read TRAIL OF LIGHTNING by Rebecca Roanhorse (Ohkay Owingeh /Black/Navajo in-law). It is considered a Sci-Fi/Fantasy postapocalyptic/dystopian book that takes place sometime in the near/far(?) future and the main character is a Diné womxn. Below is Amazon’s description of the book: While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters…
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A Promise & 23rd Celebration
I did it. I made it to my 23rd birthday. This is a celebration because I promised myself it would be. “But today is different. From now on, my birthdays will be different. Today, I plan to celebrate this day to celebrate myself. Because turning 22 is an achievement.” – Today is My 22nd Birthday I…
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Trauma & Broken Bones
March is almost here, and it is the month of the Gregorian calendar in which I was born during. It is usually at this time that I begin to reflect a lot about the year that I experienced and the year that I envision. Yet, as February ends and 2018 continues, I have been thinking…
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An Ever Changing One: ‘Two Spirit’ Limitations
One of the things I probably have not thoroughly discussed since I have had this blog is my English “gender identity”. I emphasize ‘English’ because there is a specific cultural, spiritual, socio-political identity within Diné ontologies that I am perceived and that I identified with. As I have shared in a past blog post, my Diné…
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Niłch’itsoh, Hai, and Power
The coming of the big wind and snow. Niłch’itsoh is here, and that means Hai (winter) is on its way. Niłch’itsoh means “big wind” and is the beginning of Hai (winter). It is also the last month, December, of the Gregorian calendar. This year, Niłch’itsoh and Hai remind me of something. They remind me of power. Growing…
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Rock Your Moccasins 2016
Last, year on November 15, 2015, I wore my moccasins as part of the national #RockYourMocs when I was studying abroad at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Quoting myself from last year; Being abroad, I have become very aware of my existence as a Native American/Indigenous person on an international level and it is alarmingly isolating.…
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A New Beginning
Welcome to a new beginning for a part of my life that I am reclaiming and discovering within myself. This will be the first of many posts to come. Last night, before the clock struck 12. I decided to start a blog, and this is what has come from that thought seed. At first, all…