,on behalf of water. art exhibition in durango, co

please join us for this upcoming event.
we will gather on behalf of Our beautiful waters of the Animas and San Juan rivers.

The moments between then and now

It's been about five months since I've posted on this blog: Convergence Animas

. . .

The moments between then and now have been time spent trying to understand and realign my life. As a person who lives and dwells in the San Juan Valley - the pollution of the Animas and San Juan Rivers sent many ripples of grief.

I live about 2 miles from the Animas River just at the point before it 'converges' into the San Juan River, so I always make my way to the riverside. Whether it is to walk the dog or to trek on my own the ritual of the river is in am daily life.

When the spill happened I was afraid to walk at the river. I thought that the river mist might contain the pollutants, so I stayed clear of the river for about one month. In all truth that time was terrible for my spirit. I needed the river in my life. To hear the rush of water, to see the flow of water, my soul was satisfied.

Since then I have returned to 'my' river and my life is balanced. My Dine' ancestors in the region of the Navajo Nation called the eastern reservation had once made their homes in the San Juan Valley and lived with the river; we still carry those oral histories with us. The river is the life of this community and it is full of historical narratives that cannot be bought or sold.

This past Sunday I attended a community session concerning the pollution of the Animas and San Juan Rivers. It was hosted by concerned Dine' educators, researchers, college students and the community members of the Upper Fruitland area of the Navajo reservation. The agenda concerned the possible hazards via pollutants in the soil and water in the area - where many  generational Navajo families have concern. The planting season is near so many of these Navajo people are weary of planting for undecided on whether or not they should plant at all. Dr. Karletta Chief in collaboration with the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona are working on research that will test the soil and waters near the San Juan River on the Navajo reservation.

I attended this session as a concerned citizen, but also I approached with a humble spirit, hoping that I might find optimism and possible solutions to the aftermath. What I found was many elder Navajo farmers who wanted this same news. What I heard from their voices was belief in their traditional ways and the faith they all carry in the act of prayer. For many of these people prayer and belief in Creator God are what sustain their lives. I heard them speak stories of the ancestor animal-people whose lessons have something to teach us humans. I hear these elders talk with beautiful expression about the plant-life and how certain plants heal and nourish. What I heard at this session was that we as Dine', as Navajo must continue our farming traditions no matter what has happened. From their expression and prayers they shared I found the hope I needed.


For the past five months I have not been able to be creative, I have not been inspired to make art. Attending this session awakened the muse, and now I am happy to find ways to create and continue the dialogue. Through the Artway I want to help the People.


I know we are all blessed to have the river in our lives, I hope we never take it for granted.


Bless the People,
-Venaya Yazzie-