ya' at' teeh'
i grew up knowing about nature and nuture, first hand. i was created by a sacred entity, because i understand
that the creator has created everything in the universe. i recall my childhood days as being full of work...waking up early in the morning and letting the sheep out to graze. for myself, i remember waking to a peaceful morning when the sun rays' was just breaking through the clouds, creating a beautiful blue-purple hue. it was an experience, but at childhood, one doesn't remember the fatigue from the day before, but the new adventure brought curiousity.i grew up herding sheep for my grandmother and parents. when the sheep were lost the children, were responsible and held accountable for their actions. at that time, child labor laws in american, and for the most part indian, was not a factor. i remember being in the cold, whether ice or water, to find the "lost lambs." at that time, sheep were most valued over turqouise jewelry, or human value. that was the mentality, and in some areas of the navajo nation, still a practice.
when i entered an educated curriculum, i did not realize how important my decisions would be...to date, i regret....but what i don't regret is the learning i've gained from being whom i am today. sometimes i wish i had done things differently. when i say differently i mean, my actions. i grew up with two older siblings who have never done anything for me....from a "big brother, big sister" point of view. i learned the hard way! and, i believe that is how one is exposed to learning. i am now deeply cultured into my self-being...as a gay navajo man. i don't know where my sense of awareness, education, appreciation, and love havecome from.
what i do understand, though, is, i've been through an experience i will never forget.