Navajo Hymes: The Balance between Tradition and Christianity
Alana Ch'ini'baa Lansing
Navajo Nation
Navajo Nation
I am interested in my topic because I feel like it should be more recognized and normalized. As a young Navajo girl who grew up in two different worlds, I learned the meaning of balance. I think my topic could have a huge impact on people who experienced having to grow up in traditional and Christian life. I grew up having to sing and pray every day and attend church every Sunday, whereas I leaned more toward my Mother's side of the family. I wanted to participate in my traditions and culture as a Dine girl however I couldn't because of my Christian side. I just want to express to people that whatever they may do, they don't have to choose a side. They can use both sides of their culture and religion and balance them together through their language, music, or traditional ways. I just want to express to people that whatever they may do, they don't have to choose a side. They can use both sides of their culture and religion and balance them together through their language or traditional ways.
Lansing, Alana. Washington. 24 October 2023. Author's personal collection.
Research Log 1- Identity
By: Jeanette Armstrong
This article was about the 4 selves of the Okanagan people. In the article, “Sharing one skin,” by Jeanette Armstrong she describes 4 selves of the Okanagan people. Those 4 selves were the physical self, emotional self, thinking intellectual self, and spiritual self. However it focuses on family, relationships, and how they're inseparable. Therefore “Sharing on Skin,” is about those who share blood ties within a community.
Armstrong, Jeannette, “Sharing one skin,'' Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds.), the case against the Global Economy, San Francisco, CA.
Lansing, Alana. Raymond M. Chee, Sr. Yeii Tsoh. 2018
Lansing, Alana. Mesa Verde Metate view. 28 July 2023. Author's personal collection.
By: B. Toastie
Memories and stories are connected to our land as described by, B. Toastie in the article,” How place names impact the way we see landscapes,” is a very true and intriguing article. It really does impact the way we see the landscape. I say this because some places are very sacred to indigenous people who probably named it about someone who they cared and protected them, but then people renamed it. That changes the history of the landscape and people will end up forgetting the history and what the land really is and how it came to be.
B. Toastie, “How place names impact the way we see landscapes,” May 1, 2022, Pg. 1-7.
By: Joseph H. Suina
The story “And Then I Went to School,” was very culture-shocking. Even when he talks about it being and feeling like 2 worlds. Having to adjust to learning a new language, made him insecure. School made him lose his identity, and who he was. However his view of being home changed entirely. He felt as though the white men had a better living after he went to school. Therefore his story tells us the reader what he endured before and after he went to school.
Joseph H. Suina, “And then I went to school,” “Rain Bird” illustrations by Tom Lea from H.P. Mera, Pueblo designs
Lansing, Alana. Window Rock. 24 April 2023. Author's personal collection.
Research Log 2- History
Lansing, Alana. I painted 2 worlds. 29 Feburary 2023. Author's personal collection.
This article discussed many things such as Native Americans and Land, the American Religious Freedom Act, Views of Natives, and how Christianity was brought upon Native Americans. Christ came upon native Americans and the land. Like how the colonists looked to convert the Native people into the New People and strip them of their land. Additionally how religions and cultural differences are a part of the landscapes. The colonists saw the New Land as a wilderness to be settled, not as already inhabited. Then in the article, they talked about the American Religious Freedom Act that gave specific legal recognition to the integrity of Native American religions. Therefore the article was about how Christianity was brought upon Native Americans.
Harvard University. "First Encounters: Native Americans and Christians. " Pg 1-4.
Federal government moves forward in boarding schools Healing Journey was a very interesting article that touched on the roots of native Americans facing boarding schools and how they are healing. It talked about how they are working on getting bills passed that are meant to heal Native Americans who went through the boarding school acts or who have ancestors from the past who faced these obstacles and challenges.
Native American rights funds. "Federal Government moves forward in boarding school healing journey" May 11, 2022. Pg 1-2.
Lansing, Alana. Mom and Dad. 7 March 2024. Author's personal collection.
Lansing, Alana. Lana and Utah powwow Dancer. 21 October 2023. Authors Personal Collection
The author touches bases with cultural identity, faith and culture, and learning committee. How we should see indigenous identity and culture as god given instead of something to be discarded. The article also discussed how many native Americans are turning to church and how if we can't express our traditions or language then we can express Christian faith through indigenous music. It was how a newly accredited school promotes a theological education that is not at odds with Native American traditions or cultures. Mainly how we can express the Christian faith through indigenous music or faith.
McClellan, Hannah. "At indigenous seminary, students learn the power of faith embedded in identity." August 14, 2023
Research Log 3- Current State of the Issue
Lansing, Alana. Banderlier Trees. 11 November 2023. Authors Personal Collection
By: Nikki Tundel
The article called “American Indian balance native customs with Christianity” is about how there is one out of many churches that balance native values and Christian beliefs. Although the article touches bases with the history of native Indians and Christianity it also brings the views of what both belief systems have about one another which really shows us the meaning and purpose of the article.
By: National Geographic Society
“Native American and freedom of religion” touched the roots of both the Native American history and the events that occurred during the signed act that was about allowing Native Americans the freedom of religion. It also provided them access to sacred sites and the use of sacred objects and materials to practice and continue on their Native Traditions.
Lansing, Alana. Washington State. 21 October 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Lansing, Alana. Santa Fe Skies. 23 September 2023. Authors Personal Collection
By: Native people of Oklahoma- Christianity and Native people
The video is about a pastor who is talking about his experience with a situation about a priest who was asked to attend a sweat lodge. He then goes into talking about how it's okay to be a part of two belief systems and how the Christians back then were different from the Christians today. Most importantly they are a ¨New model that has no restrictions between both religions.¨ Furthermore The pastor in the video is Native American and talks more about how Christianity is a ¨New Model¨ in church. The old model was when Christ was used to deprive Native Americans from their Identity and where as today it's new and we have a new belief system where we won't restrict.
Research Log 4- Global Connections
By: Non Stop Local Billiings News
The article "Cheyenne Bible Translation," touches on the points of language, translation, resistance, and conflict. The Cheyenne discussed how the language is going extinct and how years ago the children could not speak their language. Many people lost their culture and their Native way of thinking and talking. Many native Americans were turning towards Christianity, so the Cheyenne translated the whole bible into the Cheyenne language. However, some of the community members are against it stating that it is "White man's religion" but the community believes it will reverse the trend of losing the language and help the children of the future generation to learn and to use it.
Non-stop local billings. "Cheyenne Bible Translation." August 21, 2013
Lansing, Alana. Powwow. 21 October 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Lansing, Alana. Powwow. 12 June 2023. Authors Personal Collection
By: Chukwuma O, Okeke
There's always been a sharp conflict between traditionalists and Christians. It is a universal phenomenon that is inevitable in human interactions. The Igbo religion is traditional, its deeply rooted in their culture. The Igbo believe in the supreme being, controller of the world, and all that are in the world. The universe is conceived in 2 different worlds, one being the visible and the invisible. However, Christianity in Igbo land is that they believe in life on earth. One of the aspects that eh Igbo fear is that if they become Christians then their gods would bring disasters to them. Therefore one of the resolutions they discuss is combining their 2 religions so they can have a traditional marriage and a wedding afterward.
Chukwuma O, Okeke, Christopher N, Ibenwe Gloria Tochukwn okeke. "Conflicts between African Traditional Religion and Christianity in Eastern Nigeria." June 3, 2017.
By: Know your Roots
Is African Tradition evil? That is what this article discusses. The Aficans believe in one creator which is god but they pray to god in another way. Church pastors tell them their culture is evil, however, the two girls discuss how its what the Africans do to worship their creator that makes their traditions evil. They believe there is one creator and they are all the same it's just the way each religion or culture worships the "creator."
Know your roots. (May 16, 2018). "Traditional Religion Beliefs Versus Christianity and y Islam [Video] youtube.com/ watch?v=NBf7MNfvNzu.
Lansing, Alana. Traditional Entire. 21 October 2023. Authors Personal Collection
Action Plans
My Heroes