2016
Bridges
Like most Navajo students, my parents were both raised living on the Navajo reservation. They were taught that without hard work, nothing comes easily. They were taught to wake up early, clean the house, tend to their livestock, and to herd sheep. My mother, at a young age, being the youngest of her siblings and the only child living with my grandmother, she learned many skills. Skills such as making Navajo food, how to butcher, sheer sheep, weave a rug, make pottery, and so on. Their lifestyle than is different compared to today’s generation. For an example, they lacked things that most young adults consider necessary in their lives, such as, electricity, running water, a vehicle, cell phone, television, internet, fashionable clothing, and the latest technology. With that in mind, I have learned to appreciate things that I have that wasn’t as convenient as to my parent at my age.
The teachings that my parents teach my siblings and I are inherited from my great grandparents. My parents who were raised as Christians also teach my siblings and I to love others, be faithful, respectful, and humble. For me, I see that no one is perfect and that life is all about making mistakes. No matter who you are, making mistakes are bound to occur. That’s the reason why judging others seems useless to me. My thoughts are to simply accept others for who they truly are. In my family, education is another value asset because neither of my parents have earned a bachelor degree. Since my grandparents had never attended school, my parents were not given as much guidance that they now give me. My maternal grandmother who only speaks and understands the Navajo language, now understands the importance of education. When she was my age, she was never told to attend school but to herd sheep. That is how she made a living; by tending to her livestock. In today’s generation, having an education, allows you to have a good high paying job that requires less labor. Therefore, I do not want to struggle with not having money to support myself, so that’s why I am willing to continue my education. My desire of wanting to give back to my community is influenced by wanting to make a difference in the Navajo Nation. I want to be able to provide for my family and not just leave them once I have earn my bachelor degree. Most importantly, I would like to be a role model to the young Navajo students who are still deciding what to pursue in their future career. If all of us Navajo students continue on to college, graduate, return home to the reservation, and work there; that would be amazing. To return either as a doctor, lawyer, police officer, supervisor, engineer, scientist, and so on; I feel that we could improve the Navajo Nation.
1 Comment
Jasmine Benally
8/3/2016 09:35:54 am
I like reading how other people grew up and why they are doing what they're doing. you'll be a great role model to many people.
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