To Whom It May Concern, Yá’át’ééh shik’éí dóó shidine’é! Shi ei Marian Kimberly Bitsui yinishyé. Kinłích’íí’nii nishłį́. Na’aash t’ezhį́ Táchii’nii bashishchiin. Naakai dine’é dashicheii. T’oaheedłiní dashinalí. Ákót’éego diné asdzáán nishłį́. Kinłánídi kééhasht’į́ ndi. Naátáaníí Nezdi dę́ę́’ naashá. Ahéhee’! Greetings my family, and my people! My name is Marian Kimberly Goodluck. I am of the Redhouse clan, born for the Charcoal-Streaked Division clan. My maternal grandfather is of the Mexican people clan. My paternal grandfather is of the Two Waters Flowing Together clan. In this way, I am a Diné woman. Currently, I reside in Flagstaff, Arizona. Originally, I was born and raised in Shiprock, New Mexico. Thank you for this opportunity to address my concerns and thoughts. I am writing in support of the amendment that was submitted concerning Diné Bizaad fluency and our Navajo Nation Presidency qualifications. I have a few concerns and opinions I would like to thoughtfully address. Firstly, I am greatly honored and privileged to be a Diné woman. We (the Diné) have a strong heritage of resiliency, determination, pride and leadership. I am rightfully proud and humbled to carry this blessing. In no way does my opinions or thoughts take away from my pride or gratitude. I was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation. My family has a rich tradition of medicine people, educators, doctors & nurses, and from this I was raised to be respectful and honorable towards our elders, their wisdom and teachings. From my elders, I was taught many things; from the way one should carry themselves in private and public, to the way we represent not just our family and ourselves, but also our people in all aspects of our lives. From the beginning of my life I was taught that I have much to offer my people. My parents raised to me to put my education first. Often times I would spend hours re-doing homework assignments so that I could get excellent grades. I was taught to be well-rounded and was entered into beauty pageants, sports and extra-curricular activities. I also would be sent with my father to herd cattle, and to my uncles to shovel the horse stables. I was raised to do my best no matter the circumstance or situation. I was taught that this a respectable way to honor my elders; by being a good example of hard work, determination and a product of their wisdom and knowledge. I personally believe that every young Navajo person was raised with these same traits. We were encouraged to “climb that ladder.” We believe this is how we can help and assist not just our families and ourselves, but our people as well. I also believe that these traits were also honored by Chris Deschene. In the same way that I am honored to carry the name Diné, I am deeply honored that a man like him would want to represent my people, our people. You see, my grandfather John Goodluck, was an original Code Talker. He used our precious language with his Diné brothers and helped win a war that was seemingly impossible. I grew up with the wonderful understanding and weighty responsibility that our words are powerful. I know this is also a traditional teaching; that what we speak, the words that we form and breath into life, are powerful and they can cause growth or cease growth. I love and respect our Diné language. With that said, I want to make my opinion clear that we as a generation were raised in an assimilated culture. Navajo was not my first language. I am not fluent, nor can I perform conversational Navajo. I can however, read and write it. I can understand commands, and some questions. I was taught somewhat derogatory language from my naughty cousins and sometimes naughty “Cho sani” (Great Grandmother). However, many of my elders (parents, aunts, grandparents) often used Navajo as a language to keep conversations hidden from my siblings and I. Only now as a mother to two wonderful, bright (and urban) children do I realize the necessity for me to learn my language. I want to be able to not only greet my grandma’s that I see come into town, but ask them how they are doing and understand them. I understand the need for my generation to learn our language. But I do not agree that it makes us ineligible to lead and help our nation. We have a wonderful opportunity to have a leader who would be fit to lead any nation, lead ours. When considering the value our words, consider what you are saying when you say “If you don’t speak Navajo to ability that I think you should, you cannot lead our people.” What kind of growth or non-growth does that bring? How does that add or detract from your people? What does that mean for our future generations? And lastly, what have you done to ensure that we all know our language? The responsibility is ultimately ours, and the future is coming faster than we think. We must set in motion actions that will propel our nation forward. Chris Deschene is someone I believe will lead by example. Respectfully, Marian K. Bitsui Read the Amendment here: navajonationcouncil.org/Legislations/2014/OCT/0298-14.pdf Submit your concerns/opinions to [email protected] This is what I submitted. #YeegoChris
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 05:49:17 +0000
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