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Show difficult to approach. They are not chatty and conversational like people from the dominant culture. They are hard to "get to know." All of this is true to a certain degree. But the "why" behind it all is complicated. For many folks on the Navajo Nation, dealing with the dominant culture is just something one has to endure. They roll into the various border towns for jobs, fhnnling, shopping, banking, all the essential activities of a lifeway that they had no part in selecting. In border towns like Page, Flagstaff, Gallup, Farmington, and Blanding, there's surprisingly little cultural crossover.. Even though we all wait in the same lines at the supermarket, we might as well be waiting in different planes of existence. Culture works because it works subconsciously, and we all stand there at the Basha's in Page, or in the Flagstaff Mail, firmly entrenched in our own way of seeing the world. It's necessary to look at the cultural background of the parties involved. All of this gibberish has been said before, so I'll try not to overdo the point. Europeans and Euroamericans come from a culture that lias so overwhelmingly dominated the world's history (for better and worse) in the past 400 years that they are unused to feeling "out of it," especially in a place that is considered to be a part of their empire. The values and rules of this culture have been propagated to the ends of the earth by the religious, military and economic institutions, and many from the culture assume that these values are universal values. It's important to note that all cultures see the world in this way, but understanding this doesn't make accepting it and living with it any easier. Many reach the unwelcome (in their mind) and alarming conclusion that the Indians haven't changed very much in the past 500 years of history. Of course, Indians say the same thing about Europeans and Euroamericans. Despite the rodeos, the country music; the Christianity, the pickup trucks, and all the other external trappings of the dominant culture; they are still Indians. It's true: the essential elements of the culture continue to survive. It's not the pots, feathers, buckskin, flutes, baskets, tepees, or drums that make a person Indian, but die world view. Something that they all grow up with to varying degrees. A lot of it is centered in the Navajo language and how it looks at the world. So what about that different world view? What does it involve? Again, it's not monolithic There are plenty of Navajos who have picked up a Christian religion, or grown up in a family totally connected to the moods and machinations of the dominant culture. There are plenty of others who speak Navajo, see things much like their grandparents and ancestors, and view the dominant culture as something exotic, alien, weird, and beyond comprehension. However, some elements can be generalized. All cultures answer the same questions humans have posed for countless centuries. They do so in different ways, and that's where the difficulty comes in. All cultures claim to value morality, right actions, family, virtue, and humanity. They act out those values in ways that make no sense when viewed from the outside A good example is the value of family. Both Gringos and Navajos claim to value family. And it's true, both groups of people spend a lot of time and energy on their kids. However, they do so in such different ways. Gringos believe that by forcing their children to perform and excel in school and sports they are empowering them to be the leaders and rulers of the next generation. From the very competitive view of Euroamerican culture, this makes a lot of sense. On the other hand, Navajo culture focuses more on spending lots of time with the kids, doting on them, enjoying their company, doing lots of things with them and the numerous other relatives. Which also makes a lot of sense. But only within the confines of the Navajo world view. There are numerous other little differences. One important point of divergence is the view on the nature of humanity. European culture comes from a tradition of believing in progress and evolution, and the "advancing of civilization and humanity. Indians in general have never believed in this; they tend to see human nature as a fairly fixed element of being, something that remains the same despite the change of technology and external elements. The simple fact is that here on the eve of the 21th century, the two cultures are still at the same level of understanding that they had reached bade in the days of the Spanish Empire. Which is to say things really haven't changed dramatically. Sure, everyone drives in can, computers are everywhere, KTNN blasts out its 50,000 watt signal from Window Rock, and Gringos fly overhead in spacecraft, but deep inside people from both cultures, strong feelings and beliefs about the "other'1 still exist I suppose that in the end, for the visitor to the Navajo Nation, the most important thing to remember is that the real difference is not the external appearance of things, but the inner differences. Put aside those old expectations. Relax. Don't head south expecting to see a Hollywood vision, or scenes from a Tony Hillerman novel But do expect to see a vibrant modem late 20th century Indian Nation. A diverse nation of people who love their children, enjoy the company of friends and family, and hope for the future. A people who see things in a very different way, and simply ask that we respect their point of view. Rick Best lives and works in Plague, sometimes called Page, Arizona. , self-center- ed non-India- ns first in a series... Famous Utahns who don't drink coffee. SENATOR ORRIN HATCH Arent you glad YOU do? CONTACT US VIA E MAIL AT: zephyrl252l.net THE WEB ADDRESS IS: vwvxaiiyoacooiitryzcphyr.com Kathryn Jackson Grand County Council At-Lar- ge ACflON&Rltf ELECT A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO IS: Committed: to invest the time & energy necessary to analyze & fairly resolve issues. in political and Impartial: open-mindbeliefs & ideas. Responsible: in management & oversight of county & taxpayer resources. Diverse: representing new ideas & direction based on education & experience. Sincere: desire to serve the citizens of Grand County and to "take a turn." ed non-partis- an AND. ..as a kindergarten teacher I promise to monitor snack and nap time violations during council meetings. Please Vote on November 3rd 369 S.Main 259.6672 (next to City Market) .'yW Zt; v; |
