These Images Reflect the Everyday Life and Winter Traditions of the Navajo Nation in Arizona

Throughout the years, I’ve taken on a role akin to an ambassador between the Indigenous communities I document and the broader mainstream media audience, drawing from my Nanai/Hèzhé (Siberian Native) and Chinese-American background. This is a duty I hold in high regard, as the experiences and narratives I share are not solely my own. It requires collaboration to portray the stories accurately—to truly grasp how specific issues manifest through distinct Indigenous cultural lenses—and to perceive a community from its own viewpoint. The next step is to translate these insights for a wider audience, aiding their understanding of often significant cultural disparities.

My work is particularly significant today as Native communities face marginalization—Indigenous peoples represent about 5% of the global population, yet our narratives are vital and increasingly relevant. For instance, 80% of the world’s biodiversity thrives on lands managed by Indigenous peoples. That’s 80% overseen by just 5%. It seems only just that such a disproportionate impact on the planet deserves greater recognition, delivered in a way that is both precise and culturally sensitive.

Mainstream audiences often seek universal themes and elements that resonate with their own experiences. However, many Indigenous cultures perceive the world in deeply localized ways, embracing a distinct set of values. My aspiration is to convey even a fraction of this understanding to people, particularly to Native youth, who frequently face strong pressures of assimilation.

In January 2019, I dedicated a week to capturing the essence of life on the rural Navajo Nation, focusing particularly on young families involved in the Family Spirit program supported by the tribe and Johns Hopkins. During my time there, I observed numerous families engaged in modern Diné life, all while diligently preserving their cultural heritage. Although my visit was brief, it provided a vivid glimpse into the community—the sacred heart of the Nation.

In January, the desert landscape presents a unique beauty. Here, at the upper rim of Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, the red rock gorge boasts craggy juniper trees and vivid hues, rivaling even the Grand Canyon.

I was surprised to see the reds and oranges blanketed by a gentle layer of snow. However, my Navajo friends and guides show no signs of concern. This is their home, and they greet the freshly fallen snow with the joy of children. For those who identify as Diné, or Navajo, snow in their ancestral canyon is a cherished occasion and worthy of celebration.

The Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health, which facilitated my visit, sponsors a program aimed at helping young Navajo families navigate parenthood in a culturally aware manner. My role is to document this initiative and the lifestyle of these young Navajo in the more isolated areas of their territory. As assimilation pressures from the United States have escalated over the centuries, the necessity for Indigenous youth to connect with and understand their cultures has never been more urgent.

As I stand at the top of the canyon, I can't help but notice Kristin and Danielle playing in the snow among the juniper trees. One stands beneath a snow-laden tree while the other energetically shakes snow from the branches onto her friend. As the snow falls, Kristin scoops it into her hands and washes her face with it. The temperature hovers around 30 degrees F, and the wind adds a chill, but Kristin remains unfazed as the snow slips under her sweater and through her hair.

They explain to me that this is known as snow-bathing. Elders have taught that snow bathing strengthens the body and prepares one for challenging times. Additionally, it serves hygiene purposes and keeps the body clean. For Kristin and Danielle, it’s evidently also about joy and laughter as they take turns dumping snow on each other, their playful giggles echoing down the canyon. This encapsulates modern life for the Diné, characterized by a unique blend of ancient customs, contemporary technology, and spiritual resilience.

During my time across the Navajo Nation, I met Diné cowboys driving cattle to market, young couples caring for their first babies in traditional cradleboards, and medicine people conducting healing rituals for their communities.

Everywhere I turned, I saw individuals striving to overcome the historical impacts of colonization and forced assimilation. Young people were actively reclaiming their cultural traditions and ensuring their continuation. The sounds of Kristin and Danielle’s playful snow battle resonated across the canyon, making it clear to me that the future of the Navajo Nation is bright and resilient.