Reaching Back to Traditional Teachings: Diné Knowledge and Gender Politics

Souksavanh Tom Keovorabouth

doi:10.3390/genealogy5040095

Abstract

As Diné, we must understand the traditional teachings that were once in place through oral traditions and teachings. There are many troubles Diné (Navajo) women and Nadleeh (Two-Spirit) people face from outside the community, but due to western influence, we endure the same effects from within our own Nation. Through this paper, I aim to propose resolutions to move our Nation in the right direction for social change and build a community of acceptance by reaching back to traditional teaching philosophies without the influence of cis-heteronormative patriarchal structures. I argue that adoptions of these western institutions have severe effects on Diné women and Nadleeh (Two-Spirit) livelihood and well-being. In this paper, I examine three areas of Diné philosophy and cosmology: (1) the central role of K’é (family) and the matrilineal clanship, (2) Diné women and Nadleeh voices in our creation stories, and (3) Hozhó, the beauty way, to understand the masculine and feminine energies of Diné cosmology in order to address the importance of women and Nadleeh on Dinétah.

Highlights

I examine three areas of Diné philosophy and cosmology: (1) the central role of K’é and the matrilineal clanship, (2) Diné women and Nadleeh voices in our creation stories, and (3) Hozhó, the beauty way, to understand the masculine and feminine energies of Diné cosmology in order to address the importance of women and Nadleeh on Dinétah
There are Eders who have survived the boarding school system, which was in place to assimilate Native American children into christian worldviews and to disregard
There are, some resolutions that I propose on how the Navajo Nation could tackle the issues and impact of colonial violence such as assimilation among the community

Summary

Introduction

Diné people face many issues as a result of colonialism One of these issues that I argue involves the introduction of the western gender binary managed and confined by patriarchy. Thinkers, and Elders remind us that Dinétah is a matrilineal and matriarchal society, but the introduction of colonization has had a significant impact on how our communities’ function Residential boarding schools was one strategy that was used to assimilate Diné into tightly confined gender roles (Adams 1995) The results of this influence can be seen in contemporary times. The influence of colonization and christianization has arguably created some discriminatory behaviors within the community, especially impacting Diné women and Nadleeh (Two-Spirit). I draw on the work of Cree scholar Alex Wilson and discuss their theory of “coming in” to argue that Diné need to reach back to our traditional teachings to find a way forward for our futures

Sa’ah Naaghai Bik’eh Hozho

The Navajo Long Walk

Colonial Violence and Gender Politics

Findings

Conclusions