Support Ron Garnanez's Journey to Indigenous Peoples Days

My name is Andrew Beasley Baird and I am currently residing in Nevada City CA where I work as a land steward and support a local Tribe, the Sia'kumne Maidu people. Every year for the last 25 years, the Sia''kumne have hosted an Indigenous Peoples Days celebration in early October that brings together Indigenous relatives from all over the world for ceremony and connection. A part of this event is the "Descendants Circle" that includes indigenous elders to share their stories of their ancestors survival, a sacred moment to remember the challenges faced by those who came before.

My hope to to include an important elder at the event this year. Ron Garnanez is a multi-generational Navajo elder, weaver, shepherd and farmer, who continues to carry his cultures traditions and language into the future by sharing with all who meet him. He has been chapter president for his community in Red Valley, Arizona, as well as president for Diné be'Iina (DBI), a Shiprock, New Mexico based non-profit focused on preserving and teaching traditional Navajo lifeways. He continues to farm his land and maintains a flock of 300 sheep and goats in open range traditional fashion. In 2018 I had the life changing opportunity to live with Ron as a sheepherder and weaving apprentice, learning traditional methods of processing wool into textiles. This experience profoundly shaped the way I approach my practice as a land steward and community member.

Funds donated will go to Ron's travel expenses to get to the Indigenous Peoples Days celebration, including gas and a rental car. The journey for Ron will cross 4 states lines and cover 1000 miles one way. He will be accompanied by a niece and her partner so the travel ought to go quick.

Thank you for reading and considering. All blessings. Hope you too can make it to the celebration.

-Beasley

https://www.indigenouspeoplesdays.org/