Yá’át’ééh (Hello) and welcome. I’m excited to start blogging!  I’m literally sitting on an old wooden chair at my mom’s house in her backyard by the back door.  This is the best Wi-Fi reception.

I have been thinking about this blog for some time now.  I wanted to create a blog that would connect me to you and share the things that I’m curious about.  I’m passionate about my ancestors’ legacy.  My great great grandmothers Fur Hat Sister and Four Horned Woman and my great grandfather Nakai Begay and my grandpa Little John (naming several).

I am trying to understand the full scope of my Diné identity. Why was I raised in an environment like this? Why do we still live like this on the Navajo reservation? And even more specific, “Who did I get my freckles from? Did I get it from my grandma Lucy?” When I was a little girl, I remember seeing freckles on her hands.  Although she passed away at the age of 103 (I was in the third grade), I barely knew her. Now that she is gone, I wonder what her life was like because I know she had a hard life. I don’t think I will find out much since I’m adopted, but I will find alternative ways to approach questions regarding my background.

This blog will be changing as I get older and my ideas and thoughts will develop into a more grounded knowledge (the goal) of what I believe is a transformation from being a young curious mother to hopefully a grandma with so much knowledge.

I initially came up with the title of my blog title as “Guarding Woman,” which is inspired by a sketch I drew of my nali lady Thora when I was 12 years old. I see her outstretching herself to others, adorned in a beautiful dress, wearing her big turquoise jewelry, moving forward like she is in a hurry to get somewhere. Embracing everything she sees and facing challenges with strength and courage, always warning us and getting after us about being a good Diné.

“Diné Asdzáán Nishłí!” I hear her in my mind so clearly, and this is what she says when she introduces herself and begins to talk about where we come from, reminding us that we are holy people, and we have to preserve our culture and our language. She has said to me many times that without our land, our culture, and our language, we will be lost and forgotten. Thora is our matriarch in my family, and I admire and love her tenacious spirit. She is a Hand Trembler, an herbalist, who has so much knowledge about our clan (Towering House), the Diné (the Navajo people), and that is why she is a beloved leader, not just to my family but to many communities on the Navajo reservation.

I’m hoping that whatever I write is inspirational to my readers in some way. For me, it’s a personal journey that focuses on my ideas and what it means to be a Diné Asdzáá. It’s a unique approach and acceptable because I will be continuing my Diné legacy through my Diné lens and my voice. A much-needed perspective. There it is is, putting power into my writings. May my journey be a beautiful one.

Bighaa’! Hózhóni Nahasdlii! Hózhóni Nahasdlii! Hózhóni Nahasdlii! Hózhóni Nahasdlii!