I want to write a blog or have a podcast that deals with identity. Well I want to write about who I am. I’m not quite sure who that is these days. There is the fact that I grew up on the Navajo Nation.
I love my culture and community. My family have always showed me love. My community has always been supportive. I was raised a traditional Navajo. I believe our traditional beliefs.
The reason I want to talk about myself is because I can’t speak Navajo. I’m one of many who can’t speak my own language. Although our traditional ways have been passed down to me, explained in English. I took classes that were available to learn Navajo and Navajo is a hard language to learn. I took it for granted. It was always available to me and growing up on the Rez I felt gave me some… i don’t know…. street cred or something…
I am fortunate to grow up within the Navajo community. Its been about 15 years since I left the reservation for college. I went to Southern Utah University and completed my degree in communication. I chose to go to SUU because of their broadcasting program. I was able to learn about journalism, public relations, and broadcasting. I had a radio show that I reviewed new music. While working for the student radio station I was able to network and make a community of people that loved music as much as I did. I formed relationships that have lasted throughout my adult life.
After I graduated college with my bachelors in communication, I felt lost. I felt like I would jump from job to job, trying to find my place. I think I’ve felt that way for a long time now. When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to go to college. I knew I wanted to complete something that I didn’t see a lot of my family doing. And I did.
It wasn’t easy. Well it was, but I made it difficult for myself. I made several bad choices. I became an alcoholic that was afraid of the next steps in his life. I was an overweight man that didn’t want to do the things that were on my bucket list. Small things that I wanted to accomplished always seemed like an idea, like if i dreamed it and planned it all out it would just work out. Eventually I saw those dreams change. I saw myself caring about new things. I saw a bigger world then the one I chose.
I look back at my past and I feel like I missed a lot. I miss home. I miss being connected. I think that a lot of people have told me not to lose my language. I never really cared considering I’ve felt that since I grew up a traditional Navajo with my family still living in the same area my ancestors lived…. I still have time.
Well I guess now is the time. Now is the time for me to learn my language. Now is the time for me to learn more about my tribes history.
I took these classes in Diné history and Diné Bizaad while growing up on the rez. I’m a grown-up rez kid. I’m proud of where I come from. Now its my choice to learn more and be more.
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