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knowledge of peoples that are expressed in sacred, secular and personal songs and stories. Tribal histories reflect an intimate awareness of the reciprocal nature of nihikeyah (our land) and one's responsibilities to all Diné (people) within this very special place. Like the First Man, First Woman and Cayote in the creation chants of the Diné, we continually recreate a world of new dreams and experiences, forging new traditions and history. This new world builds upon but never totally replaces the older worlds and stories. Our personal being is a small portion of the rainbow tapestry of life here in nihikeyah. In the words of my maternal grandmother, "Make sure you learn to take care of yourself and learn to find your own dream in the world. Listen, think about it, make it teach you and in that way you'll know what it's like to feel good about yourself." - R.C.Nakai |