The Greatest Symbol of Strength

by Urbina Yazzie 

In the summer of 2014, when I was 15 years old, I was still getting my footing as a young lady entering womanhood. In Diné culture, young women hold so much strength, but sometimes in our cultural gender roles and expectations, there can be unequal status and responsibilities. For instance, changes in how Diné society views women and young ladies has been impacted by western society. While certain restrictions placed on women did exist in Diné culture before colonization, there have been many added restrictions by non-Diné religions, boarding schools, and western culture that places greater value on men than women.  As a Diné woman, I want to respect the Diyin Dine’é in our ceremonial ways by sharing my story of carrying the prayer stick during Ootííł. This is my story, and I hope that readers, especially Diné women, will learn something valuable and carry it with them.

Leading The Way Vol. 23 No. 7