Post by Okwes on Jun 10, 2008 9:37:55 GMT -5
MHD: "Hweeldi Baa Hane': Our Stories of Fort Sumner", Navajo Nation
As a person once asked, "It's still okay to be a cynic on the rez,
right?" Well, after today's opening reception of Robert Johnson's and
Eunice Kahn's exhibit "Hweeldi: Our Stories of Fort Sumner", I would
have to smile.
140 years has passed since the signing of the Navajo Treaty of 1868.
A lot has changed and a lot has been lost. As such, I was amazed of
the research done on the clanship of the treaty signers and their
families. I am use to seeing well researched historical accounts with
all the inhumane acts described, but to personalize the trauma of this
past with the inclusion of their clans made a deep impact. These
people were not my past leaders, past history, imagery for present day
graphic designs but instead, they were my clan folk, K'e, my family.
I saw my uncles, fathers and nalis. They were beaten. But they
persevered and became what we are today. The details made this
exhibit meaningful.
The formal opening remarks by Dr. Jennifer Denetdale, Navajo Nation
Vice President Ben Shelley, Navajo Nation Museum Director Manuelito
Wheeler and Ms. Navajo, Jonathea Tso, made this opening special. The
screening of Salt Lake City's KUED's "The Longest Walk: Tears of the
Navajo" made a poignant presense conjuring up past stories filled with
emotions. Of course, the crowd of people looking, reading, talking
and reacting was most important.
In the past, openings were informal and little more than 50 people.
This opening of 400+ made an obvious turn of cynicism to a gleam of
better things to shine. It was not perfect. There were typos, but
the informative content out-weighed it all. I hope this new director
brings more of this fresh air. This area sure does need it.
As a person once asked, "It's still okay to be a cynic on the rez,
right?" Well, after today's opening reception of Robert Johnson's and
Eunice Kahn's exhibit "Hweeldi: Our Stories of Fort Sumner", I would
have to smile.
140 years has passed since the signing of the Navajo Treaty of 1868.
A lot has changed and a lot has been lost. As such, I was amazed of
the research done on the clanship of the treaty signers and their
families. I am use to seeing well researched historical accounts with
all the inhumane acts described, but to personalize the trauma of this
past with the inclusion of their clans made a deep impact. These
people were not my past leaders, past history, imagery for present day
graphic designs but instead, they were my clan folk, K'e, my family.
I saw my uncles, fathers and nalis. They were beaten. But they
persevered and became what we are today. The details made this
exhibit meaningful.
The formal opening remarks by Dr. Jennifer Denetdale, Navajo Nation
Vice President Ben Shelley, Navajo Nation Museum Director Manuelito
Wheeler and Ms. Navajo, Jonathea Tso, made this opening special. The
screening of Salt Lake City's KUED's "The Longest Walk: Tears of the
Navajo" made a poignant presense conjuring up past stories filled with
emotions. Of course, the crowd of people looking, reading, talking
and reacting was most important.
In the past, openings were informal and little more than 50 people.
This opening of 400+ made an obvious turn of cynicism to a gleam of
better things to shine. It was not perfect. There were typos, but
the informative content out-weighed it all. I hope this new director
brings more of this fresh air. This area sure does need it.