The 2018 Beauty Way Tour and Thanks Giving Supply Run is in the books. Thank you again to all of you who supported the effort. The individuals to thank are too numerous to list. A few of the jobs you covered – organizers, producers, promoters, musicians, sound, lights and stage techs, dancers, cooks, servers, drivers, equipment movers, cleanup crews, radio show hosts and guests, farmers who brought food, crafters, makers, and merchants who donated to silent auctions, and direct to the people and all who came to the shows, filling the blanket. Thank you to the online community that came through with an incredible showing.
After the tour, the journey was made by members of our core crew and as always, some new faces and some we haven’t seen in a while. We were hosted by the Yazzie Family in Sand Springs, and it was wonderful to be there. It is hard to describe all the magic and wonder this collaboration creates. It represents a lot of hard work, dedication, and generosity, and reminds me of what beauty we are capable of when we work together. This project is a special art form, a combination of creativity and activism that spreads joy and love in action from the communities that host the shows to the Dine’ Nation and beyond.
Your support made it possible for us to bring firewood, food, clothing, and other supplies to the people. We were also able to support home repairs, an economic development program, and other direct aid. We left dog food, cat food, and hay for the animals. You bought two brand new, high-quality chainsaws, and the supplies to operate them that have been left with supporters on the land to continue giving after we’re gone.
As generous as you all have been please understand this is not charity, it is an expression of the understanding we are all in this together. Our gifts are modest and small compared to what we get from being on the ground with the people. Our sisters and brothers on the land may not have the kind of material wealth or access to resources we have but they hold something sacred and beautiful for all of us. They are wealthy in other ways and if we are mindful and open the return on our humble offerings is great.
In this era of climate disruption, drought, massive fires, deadly pollution, habitat destruction and loss of species around the world it is clear indigenous wisdom is more valuable than ever. Had we been more respectful and listened all along there can be no doubt we would be living in a cleaner, more peaceful world.
There is also an element of sadness in each journey. There are fewer people in the disputed areas – elders are making their final journey and some are moving for a chance at other opportunities. Not many are currently coming back. The long war of attrition is taking its toll. Our crew found no one living in the community of Teesto and a lone elder with no neighbors for miles on Coal Mine Canyon. Let me tell you a little about Anna Begay.
To get to her place you turn off the paved Highway 264 between Hotevilla and Moenkopi onto a dirt road heading north into Coal Mine Canyon. About five miles of steep hills on this bumpy, beautiful ridge road, which is impassable when it rains or snows, brings you past the empty homes of former neighbors and into Anna’s compound. She has a well-kept corral with five sheep and one horse inside. Two other horses just hang around with the dogs and cats. They all looked well cared for, fed and watered.
This year we arrived shortly after sundown to see a single lantern light in a window of her hogan. We had to knock loudly, she doesn’t hear well and to get to her door and open it she has a string tied to the door frame from her living space that she holds on to as a guide because she is nearly blind. I don’t know how old she is, but we’ve been visiting her for over 20 years and she is most likely in her 80’s. She sits in the quiet dark, alone. There is no electricity, internet, television or radio. She can’t see to read or weave anymore. It’s just Anna and her thoughts, the stars, and the animals.
For some people it is sad to see her like this, others wonder why she doesn’t leave or live in a care facility. But she is not blue over this. She is where she wants to be, on her beloved land with the animals, perfectly content.
The sorrow for me is knowing she is one of only a few left from her generation. She looks like the land; she cares for it as she was taught. Part of that sadness is also understanding we don’t have enough time to learn what she knows.
She was happy with the visit and company. We brought food, firewood – yes, she keeps her hogan warm with wood despite being blind- clothes, a jacket, fleece-lined boots, dog and cat food and hay for the horses and sheep. We had some children traveling with us on this run and even though she doesn’t speak English, Anna held the hand of one of the girls and told stories. She laughed and smiled as she entertained the crew. Like anyone who’s ever been here on one of these trips, those who met her for the first time fell in love. It’s always hard to leave her place but some of Anna’s medicine and strength is passed on to anyone in her presence. It lingers as trucks rumble off into the night and eventually finds a place in the heart. It’s part of what brings us back. It’s part of why I can’t thank you enough for sending us.
There is so much going on in this world and we are bombarded with images and stories of people in crisis and need every waking minute through unlimited media sources. It can cause compassion fatigue, especially for those who have hearts like yours. I know many of you are involved in other important causes and some work in the fields of service where secondary trauma is a real job hazard. That’s why it’s so impressive we’ve been able to keep this project alive for 27 years.
The forced relocation of indigenous people in the name of corporate resource extraction -particularly coal, which has done so much damage to the environment and is a leading cause of climate disruption- doesn’t make headlines or nightly news feeds but is an injustice of epic proportions, a representation of so much of where we’ve gone wrong.
Over and over when we make deliveries and talk to the people they tell us how much it means to be remembered and acknowledged. By staying connected to these front-line earth defenders we help to kindle the flame of hope.
Every single volunteer and contributor was with us on the journey, feeding the flame and in those moments, walking in beauty with the people. You make Thanks Giving possible.
