©2014 Denis Bouvier | denisbouvier.com
Meet “Navajo Man,” Lawrence Crank, descendant of Huskeniene (he who passes on harsh wisdom). Huskeniene was a prominent Navajo medicine man who lived in Kayenta and Monument Valley, Arizona in the late 1800’s. Lawrence’s father and grandfather were also healers. Lawrence himself is a healer of sorts, with his uplifting personality. While recently touring northern Arizona, we encountered Lawrence at the Monument Valley Navajo Nation Welcome Centre. He served as the tour guide through Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for Denis Bouvier, myself and a friend. He epitomizes the character of the Navajo people we met while touring in Navajo Nation with perhaps an extra flare. He has an acute sense of humour, great knowledge of his culture, is wise and respectful of others. Lawrence teaches not only the local lore but history from a Navajo point of view. At the end of our 3 hour tour, we were not only more knowledgeable and respectful of the culture but genuinely happy to have had the experience told through wisdom imbued with light-hearted humour.
Lawrence’s talents do not end as a tour guide. He is also an accomplished potter. Lawrence is one of the few Navajos that throws his pots on a wheel. He describes his work as “semi-traditional.” He buys his clay and paints instead of finding his own clay and creating his own paint. However, he is skilled in the use of traditional symbols. He gained a lot of his knowledge from his grandfather and from elders through sweat lodges and chantings. This knowledge is incorporated into his pots, creating works that are intricate, beautiful and full of symbolism.
The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on the northern border of Arizona and southern border of Utah and stretches for over 37,000 hectares. It’s a high desert setting about 1.7 km above sea level full of red stone free-standing rock formations and offers views of red stone buttes, mesa and canyons, all of which is breath-taking. The Navajo established this area as a park in 1958, not only for their enjoyment and spiritual enrichment, but to help conserve the area and support their people by welcoming visitors. This is a sacred place for the Navajo and many of the rock formations have names and special significance.
The park has also served as a backdrop for many western films, beginning with “Stagecoach” filmed by director John Ford in 1939 and starring John Wayne. These films have introduced this area to the whole world.
All of the Monument Valley Park is within Navajo Nation, home of the Diné (Navajo for the People). Navajo Nation is home to the largest American Indian tribe in North America. Encompassing 70,000 km² of territory, it spans into southeastern Utah, northern Arizona and northwest New Mexico. The Navajo people are strong in their traditions and beliefs and many are accomplished artists creating beautiful rugs, baskets, pottery, sculptures, paintings, turquoise and silver jewelry.
The Navajo arrived in this area nearly 1,000 years ago although there is archeological evidence to show this area was inhabited for nearly 5,000 years. They are believed to have migrated from western Canada. Navajo Nation is truly like visiting another country; it is administrated by the Navajo and they operate most of the businesses. They are not without problems and have suffered similar indignities as Canada’s First Nations people.
But I would like to end on a Navajo prayer that Lawrence Crank uses to acknowledge his gratitude to people who make the gesture of approval and appreciation when purchasing his pottery.
“Hol Ago Hozhogo Nan Nado” (May You Always Walk In Beauty).
©2014 Denis Bouvier | denisbouvier.com
©2014 Denis Bouvier | denisbouvier.com
©2014 Denis Bouvier | denisbouvier.com
