Post by Okwes on Feb 16, 2006 10:05:37 GMT -5
Navajo herbalist combines the best of her two worlds
By Levi J. Long
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.10.2006
www.azstarnet.com/business/115218.php
As a Navajo herbalist and entrepreneur, Virginia Boone has learned to
walk a fine line.
In her youth, Boone learned Navajo traditions and language while
living with her family off the reservation.
Today she's learning how to balance a career as the head of a
traditional Navajo healing herb company, based in Marana, without
compromising family and tribal traditions.
"We were taught at a young age about our connection to the Earth and
to the plants," said Boone, 50, owner of Medicine of the People LLC.,
which makes all-natural healing balms and herbal spa products. "We
also learned to respect their medicinal qualities."
With her father's teachings, Boone and her siblings spent their
childhood and teen years learning about the healing qualities of
plants and herbs found throughout Northern Arizona.
The Boone family lived near the Navajo Army Depot, now known as Camp
Navajo, in Bellemont, outside Flagstaff. Weekend visits and summer
vacations were spent with relatives on the Navajo Reservation.
Though traditions were emphasized, education was also highly regarded
in the Boone household.
"The idea was to remain modern and educated. But my mom and dad were
adamant about learning Navajo teachings and beliefs," Boone
said. "Language was key. That was the one thing my parents did not
want us to lose."
Boone has parlayed a long-held family tradition into selling a line
of products that include sage-lavender massage oils, peppermint foot
balms, conditioning hair oils, white-sage creams and sore-joint
salves.
The products are sold at local guest ranches, museums, cultural
centers and regional gift shops, including a few at Sky Harbor
International Airport in Phoenix.
Using herbs and plants found on the Navajo Reservation, Boone, along
with her partner Leonard Marcus, create the products at their home.
The company incorporated in 2004.
Product growth started to pick up last summer, due in part to a new
marketing plan, redesigned packaging and an updated Web site, which
contributed to increased orders in the last year.
"It can be hard to find quality products that are made by Native
Americans and are produced in Arizona," said Lynn Bullock, a
bookstore manager at the Heard Museum Shop and Bookstore, 2301 N.
Central Ave., in Phoenix.
The shop stocks most of the Medicine of the People products.
"The products are selling well and we reorder quite often. It's been
very successful."
After meeting through a family acquaintance in 1993, Boone and Marcus
decided to try a relationship and started to sell some herbs at
weekend powwows — intertribal cultural fairs — and arts and crafts
fairs.
Sales started with various teas and dried herbs that could be used to
help treat skin problems, backaches, stomach problems and to relieve
arthritis pain.
"We weren't sure how we were going to do," Boone said.
"But there was this energy around us," Marcus said. "We sold out
fast, and we thought, 'We can actually do this.' "
By emphasizing socially responsible behavior and supporting various
cultural beliefs, Boone and Marcus said having a business that does
not harm the environment or compromise their traditional beliefs is
possible.
Becoming a major corporation is not part of the plan, Marcus said.
The couple still sells at regional powwows and art shows throughout
the Southwest.
"We're still holding onto those grass roots." said Marcus. "But we
have to grow. It's important to keep that balance and not stray from
our vision."
By Levi J. Long
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 02.10.2006
www.azstarnet.com/business/115218.php
As a Navajo herbalist and entrepreneur, Virginia Boone has learned to
walk a fine line.
In her youth, Boone learned Navajo traditions and language while
living with her family off the reservation.
Today she's learning how to balance a career as the head of a
traditional Navajo healing herb company, based in Marana, without
compromising family and tribal traditions.
"We were taught at a young age about our connection to the Earth and
to the plants," said Boone, 50, owner of Medicine of the People LLC.,
which makes all-natural healing balms and herbal spa products. "We
also learned to respect their medicinal qualities."
With her father's teachings, Boone and her siblings spent their
childhood and teen years learning about the healing qualities of
plants and herbs found throughout Northern Arizona.
The Boone family lived near the Navajo Army Depot, now known as Camp
Navajo, in Bellemont, outside Flagstaff. Weekend visits and summer
vacations were spent with relatives on the Navajo Reservation.
Though traditions were emphasized, education was also highly regarded
in the Boone household.
"The idea was to remain modern and educated. But my mom and dad were
adamant about learning Navajo teachings and beliefs," Boone
said. "Language was key. That was the one thing my parents did not
want us to lose."
Boone has parlayed a long-held family tradition into selling a line
of products that include sage-lavender massage oils, peppermint foot
balms, conditioning hair oils, white-sage creams and sore-joint
salves.
The products are sold at local guest ranches, museums, cultural
centers and regional gift shops, including a few at Sky Harbor
International Airport in Phoenix.
Using herbs and plants found on the Navajo Reservation, Boone, along
with her partner Leonard Marcus, create the products at their home.
The company incorporated in 2004.
Product growth started to pick up last summer, due in part to a new
marketing plan, redesigned packaging and an updated Web site, which
contributed to increased orders in the last year.
"It can be hard to find quality products that are made by Native
Americans and are produced in Arizona," said Lynn Bullock, a
bookstore manager at the Heard Museum Shop and Bookstore, 2301 N.
Central Ave., in Phoenix.
The shop stocks most of the Medicine of the People products.
"The products are selling well and we reorder quite often. It's been
very successful."
After meeting through a family acquaintance in 1993, Boone and Marcus
decided to try a relationship and started to sell some herbs at
weekend powwows — intertribal cultural fairs — and arts and crafts
fairs.
Sales started with various teas and dried herbs that could be used to
help treat skin problems, backaches, stomach problems and to relieve
arthritis pain.
"We weren't sure how we were going to do," Boone said.
"But there was this energy around us," Marcus said. "We sold out
fast, and we thought, 'We can actually do this.' "
By emphasizing socially responsible behavior and supporting various
cultural beliefs, Boone and Marcus said having a business that does
not harm the environment or compromise their traditional beliefs is
possible.
Becoming a major corporation is not part of the plan, Marcus said.
The couple still sells at regional powwows and art shows throughout
the Southwest.
"We're still holding onto those grass roots." said Marcus. "But we
have to grow. It's important to keep that balance and not stray from
our vision."