Here in the desert of the Navajo Nation, the weather is turning cold. For the past month, Dr. Suzanne has again worked in Shiprock, part of the largest Native American reservation in the USA.
Did you know that in this hospital they have a Navajo Shaman on staff? The modern and the ancient, the medicine woman and the Medicine Man, side by side helping our First Americans.
Or did you know how the Navajo interconnects with an eclipse as we experienced a few weeks ago? When the Johanaa’ei (sun) and the Tlehonaa’ei (moon) come face to face, the Navajo feel as if family and elements come together and therefore, a time of reverence. As Suzanne and some of her colleagues went outside the hospital to view the eclipse, many of her Navajo colleagues stayed inside. Instead, the Navajo take this special time to reflect, without eating or drinking. Traditionally a time of singing and prayer, then following the eclipse with blessings, renewal, rejuvenation. Like an eclipse, their traditions and elders are marvelous.
As usual, Suzanne gives her expertise with whatever comes into the Shiprock ER. From car accidents, knife wounds, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, kidney failure…With the weather dipping below freezing, many of her patients are elderly Navajo who are injured because of trying to collect firewood. Many elders falling and hurting themselves or fainting from exhaustion all while fetching and hauling wood to keep warm. Yes, in 2023, many of our First Americans still lack basic heat as 32% of the Navajo live without electricity and 86% lack natural gas and consequently rely on firewood to heat their homes.
Here on the Navajo Nation and without a lot of assistance from the USA, our Native Americans have long survived with very little. “White man builds big fire, stands back. Indian builds little fire, huddles close.”
(Photo of Suzanne. Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation)
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