by Deborah Lanser
Introduction
The Indigenous Peoples’ luncheon on October 9 afforded 75 LLI members a glimpse of indigenous culture through the eyes of Tatiana Blackhorse, a Bard sophomore and member of the Navajo nation. Although she is half Hungarian, her beliefs, values, and perspectives on the world come from the Navajo teachings of her father’s heritage. She viewed the day as a celebration of her people, other tribes, and their ancestors, a perspective she was happy to share with LLI members. She also considered some of the obstacles her people have dealt with in trying to maintain their culture.
Native American Living Conditions
Tatiana shared some of her father’s memories about growing up on the reservation in the 70s and mid-80s. They had no electricity or indoor plumbing on the reservation. His family used kerosene lanterns for light and butane and wood for their stove. They hauled water to fill a 42-gallon water barrel. Even today, many Native Americans reside on reservations and live with food and water insecurity. Generational trauma is common, as are alcohol abuse, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and suicide.
Her Father’s Education
Her father’s school days were packed. Getting to and from school necessitated a half-mile walk plus a bus ride that could last an hour. When he got home after school, he immediately attended to his chores: chopping wood, refilling the buckets of water for the house, topping off the kerosene lanterns. Only after the chores were finished could he do his homework. Weekends were spent herding sheep, looking for horses, or sometimes helping with farming.
His most difficult educational experience was the year he was sent to boarding school as a young boy. The purpose of the school, he said, was to teach the Navajos the Christian way of living. The result, however, was that he embraced his Navajo culture and traditional ways even more firmly.
About the Food
LLI members were interested in learning more about the traditional Native American foods on the menu. The luncheon included dishes made with squash, corn, and berries, much of which came from the Bard farm. Part of the Navajo tradition includes native teachings about food, Tatiana noted. Corn provides sustenance and is one of the four sacred plants. The berries provide peace and protection. Squash and corn, together with beans, are known as the three sisters and are considered to be the sustainers of life. They are planted together because they nurture each other.
Indigenous Students Association
Tatiana started the Indigenous Students Association at Bard as a way of sharing the cultures of different Indigenous peoples in a positive light. She wanted to create a safe community in which people can talk about their experiences, dispel generations worth of misinformation, and educate the non-Native members of the Bard community.
Tatiana is proud that Indigenous peoples and their cultures are still here after all that they have been through. Cultural genocide continues, she noted, native languages are endangered, and many children don’t practice their culture. Still, there is so much beauty to be shared. She concluded. “I am a Navajo and Hungarian girl who walks with the teachings that have been through so much hatred and have been resilient throughout time.”
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