Indigenous Healing Practices

Last week was incredible; thrilled to spend so much time in the northern AZ tribal communities. Traditional healing approaches with the Navajo and Hopi are similar to CIM practices; holistic and client centered. I found them to be respectful, gentle, and unassuming people who honor their heritage, are spiritually dialed in, and speak simply and with meaning. I met two massage therapists (Navajo and Hopi), worked on one elderly Navajo women who had recently suffered a fall injury, and found people receptive to massage therapy in general.

At the swap meet in Gallup, New Mexico (which is held every Saturday) I spoke with Pueblo Indians, Ute', and Paiute'; all from Utah. There I found pow wow music, various medicinal plants and herbs, fresh green chilies, and juicy red cherries.

I also got to see some incredible country including the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Ship Rock, the Hopi Terrace Gardens, Window Rock, and Canyon de Chelly. I learned to sheer sheep too!

Check out the Peach, the Hualapai kids radio station sponsored by Kidstar; they rock! Also, here's a video I made of our trip; complete with peyote songs from a couple navajo locals in the area. Their personal statement on the back of the CD I purchased says "through these songs, we learn to live strong, support one another and have faith thru the Native American Church ways."