Diné College announces winter stories series

By Kathy Helms
Diné Bureau

CHINLE — From the emergence of the Diné to gambling, "Winter Stories, the Foundation of Navajo Origin," a two-part storytelling series sponsored by Diné College, is guaranteed to both entertain and educate.

Five presenters will be on hand to offer participants a fuller understanding of the Navajo Beauty Way teachings of the winter season, including the emergence of the Navajo world and the relationship to the winter season.

Participants will gain knowledge on the philosophy and religious significance of the stories told and games played in the winter season, as well as how sacred stories informed the world in a humorous way, according to the program, which states: "One of the secrets to exceptional living is having the ability to laugh."

The all-day series will be offered Jan. 20-21 in English at Greyhills High School in Tuba City. The series will be offered Jan. 27-28 in Navajo at Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock.

Topics include: The Emergence of the Diné, The Origin of Navajo Ceremonies, Origin and Purpose of Navajo Humor, The Gambler in Navajo Perspective, Traditional Winter Games and Their Teachings, Teaching of Dawn and Evening Twilight, How the Four Seasons Began, Holistic Healing, and Navajo Herbs and Winter Foods.

Featured speakers for "Winter Stories" will be:

• Don Denetdeal of Klagetoh, a full-time professor for the Center for Diné Studies at Diné College in Tsaile where he teaches Navajo Studies, Tribal Government, and Advance Silversmith. He also is a consultant on Navajo history and culture.
  
  
• Ben Silversmith of Oak Springs, a Program & Project Specialist with Navajo Nation Government Development, has been a practicing medicine man for 32 years and is a consultant on Navajo traditional medicine and culture.
  
  
• Harry Walters, an anthropologist with a degree from Goddard College, teaches Navajo oral history and serves as director of the Ned Hatathli Museum at Diné College in Tsaile. He has written and published numerous articles on Navajo culture.
  
  
• Johnson Dennison, coordinator for the Office of Native Medicine at Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility, has been a practitioner of native healing for 23 years. He specializes in the Navajo Wind Way.
  
  
• Cimi Boone of Wildcat Peak near Tonalea daughter of the renowned Diné herbalist, the late Sam B. Boone Sr. using her knowledge of the beneficial uses of native plants passed down from her father, serves as a consultant on Navajo traditional herbs.

Cost of the event is $150 per person and includes two continental breakfasts, educational materials and a certificate of completion. To register for the English version at Greyhills, call (928) 283-6271; to register for the Navajo version in Window Rock, call (928) 871-7941.

For more information, contact Diné College's Office of Continuing Education, (928) 283-6321.