Traveling students meet Susie Yazzie

In 2009 I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the Navajo Nation in Arizona to document the adventures of non-profit management graduate students from Regis University as they were introduced to and absorbed Navajo culture comprising an experiential program known as SOFE (Service Oriented Field Experience). At one point in the trip we made our way to iconic Monument Valley where the students toured beautiful scenery and had the highest honor to meet, what I feel to be, one of the most harmonious souls to grace our planet; her name is Susie Yazzie, a peaceful nearly 100-year-old Navajo Weaver living in the Valley. The SOFE group arrived at Susie's humble abode (a classic Navajo hogan) adorned with a large loom for weaving, various dyed sheep's wool, finished rugs and tapestries, and small keepsakes. Our tour guide spoke with her softly in Navajo and we were slowly ushered inside. Moments later the guide informed the students that Susie had offered to braid and tie up one of the female students' hair in a traditional Navajo bun. My mother, a humble lover of culture from suburban California, was chosen to experience something that normally only a Navajo women would. Around ten minutes later the process was complete, my mother wheeled around and the two women calmly embraced hands with a smile (a wonderful moment I have in another image), we all gestured our deepest appreciation and were on our way; the experience resonated deeply with us all... Ms. Yazzie passed away earlier this year at age 93, the group is evermore thankful to have shared such a positive moment with her while we could.
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