Post by Okwes on Aug 26, 2006 13:05:44 GMT -5
Dennis Coan, southern singer Family, friends honored by late husband’s songs
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times
IYANBITO, N.M. - The late Dennis Coan had a dream six years ago.
In his dream he was in a place where he could hear the metal bridles clanging and hooves stomping on the ground. He also heard people laughing and happy.
Then suddenly, it was as if a mist had lifted and he saw his Diné walking in a circle, clockwise on top of a drum.
He knew then it was a message for the people to continue to remember who they are and where they had come from. And so he named his drum group the Long Walk Descendents.
He was gifted for composing songs and those are songs that his singers and various drum groups continue to sing today.
Dennis Coan was 51 when he died in 2002.
He was at a social gathering at the Iyanbito Chapter House where his southern style drum group was singing to honor elders.
“He complained about his leg cramping up,” said Mike Coan, Dennis’ younger brother. Moments later, Dennis collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital.
His wife, Cheryl Neskahi Coan, was at home Crownpoint. She is director of Family Harmony, a Crownpoint nonprofit that advocates for victims of domestic violence.
Friends and relatives called her about her husband and she headed for the hospital.
“When I was driving to the hospital there was a beautiful sunset to the west,” she said. “I think that’s what gave me strength.”
The sunset brought on a sense of calmness, which she believes gave her strength to face the difficult time that was ahead.
“The doctors said they did all they could. I got there and they told me he was gone. They said he died from a blood clot,” Cheryl said.
“He was diabetic but he took good care of himself,” she said. “He took all the precautions doctors tell people who are diabetic. He lost weight, changed his eating habits and lifestyle. He took all the precautions.”
The end came anyway.
“Somehow I believe the Creator…I don’t know if he wanted me to be there,” she said. “It was just his time. Everything the doctors did showed that it was just his time.”
Dennis died on Navajo Nation Memorial Day, a tribal holiday. He left behind his wife of 19 and half years. He also left a legacy of teaching up and coming singers to “remember who they are and where they come from.”
Through his songs, Dennis touched an audience that continues to support the drum group, now led by Mike and fellow singer Ron Tso.
“He was a gifted singer and composed many songs that have touched people,” Cheryl said. “The songs continue to touch people and heal people.”
On Sunday, the red canyon walls sat under an overcast sky carrying the thundering echoes of a southern drum. A gourd dance was hosted at Arnold and Alice Collins residence in honor of Cheryl Neskahi Coan.
The Long Walk Descendents, led by Mike Coan, was the host gourd drum in honor of Cheryl.
Mike graciously expressed his appreciation for Cheryl, whom he referred to as a mother figure and as a warrior for her work with Family Harmony.
Cheryl will be moving to Tuscon where she will continue the fight against domestic violence with the Southwest Center for Law and Policy.
It was if a plan had been carried out as Cheryl embarks on a new direction four years after her husband joined the Creator.
Comments
Jay-R Succo Aug 18 2006 / 12am
Dennis was indeed a great person. He taught us the ways of powwows. He gave us many songs, including the Navajo Nation Flag song which he composed and is sung by the Long Walk Descendents. He told us to sing that song in our own style and to this day, no matter what powwow we’re at, near and far, when given the opportunity to sing the flag song, that is the one song we always sing. I’ll always remember the jokes and laughter we shared. He was our mentor, brother and our teacher. He will always live through the many songs he composed. On behalf of the Atsa’ Butte singers, we miss our brother, but will always cherished the good memories we all shared. Thank You, Atsa’ Butte Singers
ty...millard for this info...
By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times
IYANBITO, N.M. - The late Dennis Coan had a dream six years ago.
In his dream he was in a place where he could hear the metal bridles clanging and hooves stomping on the ground. He also heard people laughing and happy.
Then suddenly, it was as if a mist had lifted and he saw his Diné walking in a circle, clockwise on top of a drum.
He knew then it was a message for the people to continue to remember who they are and where they had come from. And so he named his drum group the Long Walk Descendents.
He was gifted for composing songs and those are songs that his singers and various drum groups continue to sing today.
Dennis Coan was 51 when he died in 2002.
He was at a social gathering at the Iyanbito Chapter House where his southern style drum group was singing to honor elders.
“He complained about his leg cramping up,” said Mike Coan, Dennis’ younger brother. Moments later, Dennis collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital.
His wife, Cheryl Neskahi Coan, was at home Crownpoint. She is director of Family Harmony, a Crownpoint nonprofit that advocates for victims of domestic violence.
Friends and relatives called her about her husband and she headed for the hospital.
“When I was driving to the hospital there was a beautiful sunset to the west,” she said. “I think that’s what gave me strength.”
The sunset brought on a sense of calmness, which she believes gave her strength to face the difficult time that was ahead.
“The doctors said they did all they could. I got there and they told me he was gone. They said he died from a blood clot,” Cheryl said.
“He was diabetic but he took good care of himself,” she said. “He took all the precautions doctors tell people who are diabetic. He lost weight, changed his eating habits and lifestyle. He took all the precautions.”
The end came anyway.
“Somehow I believe the Creator…I don’t know if he wanted me to be there,” she said. “It was just his time. Everything the doctors did showed that it was just his time.”
Dennis died on Navajo Nation Memorial Day, a tribal holiday. He left behind his wife of 19 and half years. He also left a legacy of teaching up and coming singers to “remember who they are and where they come from.”
Through his songs, Dennis touched an audience that continues to support the drum group, now led by Mike and fellow singer Ron Tso.
“He was a gifted singer and composed many songs that have touched people,” Cheryl said. “The songs continue to touch people and heal people.”
On Sunday, the red canyon walls sat under an overcast sky carrying the thundering echoes of a southern drum. A gourd dance was hosted at Arnold and Alice Collins residence in honor of Cheryl Neskahi Coan.
The Long Walk Descendents, led by Mike Coan, was the host gourd drum in honor of Cheryl.
Mike graciously expressed his appreciation for Cheryl, whom he referred to as a mother figure and as a warrior for her work with Family Harmony.
Cheryl will be moving to Tuscon where she will continue the fight against domestic violence with the Southwest Center for Law and Policy.
It was if a plan had been carried out as Cheryl embarks on a new direction four years after her husband joined the Creator.
Comments
Jay-R Succo Aug 18 2006 / 12am
Dennis was indeed a great person. He taught us the ways of powwows. He gave us many songs, including the Navajo Nation Flag song which he composed and is sung by the Long Walk Descendents. He told us to sing that song in our own style and to this day, no matter what powwow we’re at, near and far, when given the opportunity to sing the flag song, that is the one song we always sing. I’ll always remember the jokes and laughter we shared. He was our mentor, brother and our teacher. He will always live through the many songs he composed. On behalf of the Atsa’ Butte singers, we miss our brother, but will always cherished the good memories we all shared. Thank You, Atsa’ Butte Singers
ty...millard for this info...