Unwewlcome Feeling

[they_drag_him]

Nezbah,
My people would have been kind to you. In Dakota the name for the Dineh translates into "people with striped blankets."
Not shaking hands in the arena should have been noticed by the arena director. The blame should fall on somebody and if that somebody is the arena director than he should answer to the powwow police.

[Nezbah]

Actually, TDH, you're right. You're people did help us 'Navajo's out in the past. My powwow dad is actually of Lakota but I remember him telling me stories how many northern tribes, including the Dakota's, Lakota's, etc did help our people out, especially in the cold harsh winters, even the Dene' tribe up in Canada. There are old stories that I have heard. It's actually pretty kewl to hear them stories. I only tell of what has happened to me, even though I am not one of them 'mean' Navajo's.......LOL. But plenty of people out there label us cuz frankly I have met and seen some of these 'mean' Navajo's. However, we're not all like that, I know plenty of really good hearted Navajo's out there. Like with all races, not everyone is going to like eachother, etc.

Your right its also the AD's responsibilities to handle that, but some AD's are still green or don't even know any better. There is no AD or MC handbook out there... (by the way I am selling them for 19.95 plus shipping....jokes). But we also live in a 'freeworld' where everyone is entitled to their opinons, etc. I can't force anyone to shake my hand, I just try to be objective and see that, wow, someone actually shook my hand....LOL.

Its the same I teach my lil one, don't worry about what you didn't get, appreciate the things you do get. Sure as heck to help him with not feeling so disappointed in the long run.

[jhen341]

Hey Nezbah,
I was out to Antelope Canyon this summer and the Navajo Guides were some of the nicest people I've met!
Joking around with us and teasing with the other guides.
I was the only american the rest were from europe.
And not once did they lay any Witchcraft on us!
Jhen

[they_drag_him]

And not once did they lay any Witchcraft on us!
Jhen

I wouldn't call it witchcraft but "medicine that's not conducive." Sheesh, I'm sounding like I went to college, lol.

[yellowthunders mama]

Sorry that happened

Sorry to hear this happened wheretostart. Everyone is right that it should have been caught and corrected. I too am familiar with unwelcome feelings being mixed myself - it happens. But believe me you will find good hearted people if you just keep your chin up and keep celebrating all that you are.
Nezbah, when my husband and I passed through Navajo country a few years back, we were welcomed and invited to stay as long as we liked. We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

[they_drag_him]

We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

I've never had mutton stew but the Elephant Bar around the corner serves a lamb shank with mashed potatoes for $7.95.

[Nezbah]

Sorry to hear this happened wheretostart. Everyone is right that it should have been caught and corrected. I too am familiar with unwelcome feelings being mixed myself - it happens. But believe me you will find good hearted people if you just keep your chin up and keep celebrating all that you are.
Nezbah, when my husband and I passed through Navajo country a few years back, we were welcomed and invited to stay as long as we liked. We ate some of the best fry bread and mutton stew I have ever tasted! Good times! Good feelings!

Kewl! Well, the negative feelings I hear about us 'Navajo's' come from different people, not just you guys. I work with alot of tour operators out in Navajoland, most are quite nice, helpful, and enjoy their jobs. However, I have encountered hotel front desk people in Chinle, Kayenta, and out near Page that weren't so friendly. In my line of business, especially us travel agents, I judge how we get treated because its the same way our clients get treated. I know who I can trust and send my clients to just on how well I was treated prior. But there are people like that all over the world, not just Navajo Nation. :D. I just know, I have been judged by others because maybe their previous experience with another person of my tribe was not so great.

But my family in general, hosts many people from different walks of life around the world, to come visit, learn about our ways, etc. As long as they respect us, we'll respect them. My family loves to learn about different ways of life as they do not object to teach them about ours. Well and the same goes for alot of my friends too.

Actually its kinda funny because some people tell me I am very intimidating and they're scared of me. The reason why, in my past that's how I would defend myself, just not smile. LOL. Most of the time I am in deep thought or not paying attention, I just get this expression on my face that some are afraid of. But I am nooooooooo way near that, friendliest, huggable, and always laughing or joking around.

Soooooooooo anyhooooooooo, never judge a book by its cover I say....

[luvstamales]

Started?

Where to Start--well, it seems like to me that you are "started". The next step is to realize that you are in fact "started".

Though the event you described is most unfortunate, that kind of treatment exsists for most people in every community, whether it's a native community or non-native community.

Personally, I am made up of 3 tribes, yet I am often shunned by one tribe or another simply because I am not a half or full blood. The good thing is to accept that I am who I am. I embrace as much as possible from each of my tribes. Additionally, I lend as much support as possible to each of my tribe's customs and ways. Sometimes that support may be by active participation, financial, or educating others about my tribes. Most importantly, we must all respect the ways of all peoples including non-natives.

I hope for success in your endeavors and sincerely hope that you do not give up. We all could use a little education when it comes to our ancestors. I just wish EVERYONE could be a little more understanding and open minded when it comes to others. But that could apply anywhere in life. It all comes down to RESPECT.

[timmy tiger]

Nezbah: I really don't know what you are saying about many or some people not liking Navajo's. I know several Navajo families in my area and they are the absolute sweetest people that I have ever met. When we see each other they smile and wave (if I'm not right there at the time) and then they always have the biggest hugs for me. I enjoy talking and visiting with them so much and they are so much fun and jokes, oh my that's great.

You know one of the couples a couple of years ago their daughter passed and I had heard about it and I was at an event that they had come to. I went up to see them and just let them know that if they needed anything just to ask. They were so happy to see me. You could see that they were hurting, but they still had such large smiles for everyone and still laughed with me. It's really great when I see them. I can't tell you enough how glad I am to have met them. And I'm really excited because I get to see some, if not all, of them this weekend just a little ways from my house. This should be great.

I've never seen the things that you mentioned and am glad that I have my friends and they are very very good people.

[Josiah]

Kewl! Well, the negative feelings I hear about us 'Navajo's' come from different people, not just you guys. I work with alot of tour operators out in Navajoland, most are quite nice, helpful, and enjoy their jobs. However, I have encountered hotel front desk people in Chinle, Kayenta, and out near Page that weren't so friendly. In my line of business, especially us travel agents, I judge how we get treated because its the same way our clients get treated. I know who I can trust and send my clients to just on how well I was treated prior. But there are people like that all over the world, not just Navajo Nation. :D. I just know, I have been judged by others because maybe their previous experience with another person of my tribe was not so great.

But my family in general, hosts many people from different walks of life around the world, to come visit, learn about our ways, etc. As long as they respect us, we'll respect them. My family loves to learn about different ways of life as they do not object to teach them about ours. Well and the same goes for alot of my friends too.

Actually its kinda funny because some people tell me I am very intimidating and they're scared of me. The reason why, in my past that's how I would defend myself, just not smile. LOL. Most of the time I am in deep thought or not paying attention, I just get this expression on my face that some are afraid of. But I am nooooooooo way near that, friendliest, huggable, and always laughing or joking around.

Soooooooooo anyhooooooooo, never judge a book by its cover I say....

Me and my Family lived in Shonto and Kayenta when I was a kid, and my brother and sister were born in the ndn hospital in Tuba city while we lived there. During the summer we would stay with a Dine family up north of there and i grew to love mutton and fry bread
Miss those days alot

You cant judge a book by its cover
some will like you and make you feel welcome, some dont care, some just walk past you thats true of any tribe or race

[EricEagle]

Me and my Family lived in Shonto and Kayenta when I was a kid, and my brother and sister were born in the ndn hospital in Tuba city while we lived there. During the summer we would stay with a Dine family up north of there and i grew to love mutton and fry bread
Miss those days alot

You cant judge a book by its cover
some will like you and make you feel welcome, some dont care, some just walk past you thats true of any tribe or race

Well said. People are shallow, it's a shame, but this happens.