VA to expand coverage for traditional ceremonies

Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Navajo veterans who seek care from traditional healers had those services expanded this week.

In a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. and Dr. Paul West, acting director of the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Administration Medical Center, signed an agreement to add the traditional Lifeway or Inaji Ceremony to a dozen ceremonies for which the VA now pays.

President Shirley expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Navajo Nation, its veterans and their families for having the federal government again recognize the value traditional Navajo healing ceremonies play in the life of Navajos and Navajo veterans.

"There is a way of treating the mind, spirit, our physical being in our own way of life and it needs to be recognized, and I'm glad the U.S. government is recognizing that," the president said.

"The Navajo Nation is truth. We've been truth since time immemorial; since America, we've been here. The medicine that we have, our way of life, the culture, our herbs, it's all truth. It works. We've been treating ourselves with our way of life."

West said Navajos have fought in every American war, placing themselves in harm's way to protect their way of life and that of all Americans. He said he was honored and humbled to be part of Thursday's ceremony on the sacred ground of the Veterans Park before the holy Window Rock.

"Ten years ago we didn't recognize the impact your healing ceremonies had on your people," he said. "We recognize that today and we're trying to forward that."

Medicine man Thomas Morris Jr. chanted a blessing and passed a pipe with mountain smoke prior to the signing ceremony sponsored by the Department of Navajo Veterans Affairs.

The Navajo Nation and Carl T. Hayden Medical Center first agreed to have the VA pay for traditional ceremonies through reimbursement in 1998. Twelve ceremonies were authorized.

A Navajo Veterans Health Needs Survey conducted in 1992-93, found that returning Navajo veterans used traditional ceremonies for recovery more than anything else. Many of them reported that traditional forms of healing are a necessary part of their recovery; however, many lacked the financial resources to pay for the ceremonies.

Shirley said Navajos have used traditional healing ceremonies and herbs since long before the United States was established, and will continue to do so. He said the Navajo population continues to grow and that the culture is still viable to its people.

The President said the Navajo Nation has lost seven soldiers in the Iraq war, but Navajos have fought in every war and will continue to do their part.

"We've been all over the world being a part of the United States government in trying to spread freedom, in trying to spread peace; so we've been helping to win wars. All the more reason why there's a recognition by the U.S. government that the Navajo Nation, the Din people, is truth," Shirley said.

"We appreciate them standing here with us, helping us in the way that we need help. We're losing some of our soldiers because white medicine isn't working. We need to bring in our own people, bring in our own herbs, our own way of treating the mind, spirit, the heart, and I really appreciate the U.S. government, through the Carl T. Hayden Center Medical Center, for recognizing that."

Shirley said Navajo veterans now can receive counseling for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Chinle and Fort Defiance. The Hopi Tribe announced last week that it now provides PTSD treatment to Navajos eligible for treatment at its Keams Canyon facility.

Shirley also said the Navajo Nation hopes to see legislation passed to help Navajo veterans obtain a national cemetery.

"We want to have our veterans buried with dignity just as they do in Washington at Arlington Cemetery," he said. "Our veterans are no different. We helped to win wars. We've sacrificed so that the United States will be ... truth in the world. So that freedom will be truth not only for people living in the United States but all over the world."

Morris said he was glad to see the agreement expanded. "It's just like what they say, 'When you break it, fix it.' We've been broken. Now fix us. It's a good thing we're signing that agreement with you here so vets can be in holistic health again."

Ceremonies already paid by the VA include: Enemy Way, Smoke Ceremony, Protection Prayer, Night Way, Blessing Way, Crystal Gazing, Hand Trembling, Star Gazing, Shooting Way, Evil Way, Flint Way, and Monster Way.

For more information, call Window Rock Central Administration (928) 871-6413.