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Saddled in leather

Atop surefooted mule

The heat mixed my sweat

With the burdened beast's,

Our nostrils flared in response

Along rough, ragged base

Of familiar red rock canyon

We haggardly made our way

To the ancient river bed

Where my Navajo brother

On moccasined foot

Offered an earnest "Ya'ah'tee"

Our greeting of "it is good"

He saw my grey braids

Eagle feathers adorned

Beaded chest plate of color

His gift, in honor I wear

Though red skin born I'm

Not, still he calls me friend

My name, "Old Blue Eyes"

In dismount I yearn to

Firmly plant both my feet

Upon rich soil worked

And tilled with his

Ancestors' blood

We warmly embrace

Unashamed to acknowledge

A mutual respect, our undying

Devotion to Mother Earth.

Author Unknown

Ya’ah’tee !

Diné, they call themselves.  Navajo, we call them.  Linguistics tells us they are from Athabaska in central Canada.  Archaeologists tell us they came here in the 5th century.  They will tell you their ancestral home has always been on the Colorado Plateau surrounded by the Four Sacred Mountains.  I can tell you their home is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Spider Rock

Navajo Sunrise