By MARLIESE FILLMORE
Native Americans commonly face many challenges because of their lack of cultural identity and pride, according to a multicultural student services counsellor.
“We need to help them realize they are of self-worth. One reason there is a high suicide rate among some tribes is because they have no sense of identity,” said Lavay Talk, counselor in BYU’s Multicultural Services.
Miss Navajo Nation Radmilla Cody, spoke Thursday, at a BYU symposium sponsored by the Tribe of Many Feathers organization. She addressed issues of self-esteem for young generations of Native Americans.
She stressed the importance of Native Americans being proud of who they are, never denying their heritage. Cody said she believes this will help lessen the abuse and alcoholism problems in the Navajo Nation.
She encouraged the Navajo students in attendance to earn their education, then take that knowledge back to their reservations to educate and uplift their people.
Talk said older generations of Native Americans do not suffer from confusion concerning identity or self-esteem. Many of the older generation still live in accordance with primitive tradition, and earn their livelihood herding sheep and weaving rugs.
“These people are happy in spite of the things they don’t have and don’t know about,” Talk said, “They have what they need and they appreciate that.”
The problem lies more with the youth. Talk said children are forgetting who they are.
She said she attributes the problem to young adults visiting inner cities and rough neighborhoods, then bringing this lifestyle back to their reservations.
By trying to be something they are not, young Native Americans are refusing their heritage and, consequently, their identity, Talk said.
“So many youth are denying their traditions and religious beliefs to get into mainstream society,” said Revina Largo, 21, a junior from Coyote Canyon, N.M., majoring in human biology.
Some of the youth see the value in retaining their cultural heritage.
“When you go home to the reservation, you know what your identity is. It’s peaceful, away from all the craziness of the world, and you get a sense about yourself,” said Shane Begay, 23, a sophomore from Lukachukai, Ariz., majoring in political science.
This new generation of Native Americans may be trying to escape the inconveniences of reservation life, like limited electricity and running water in some areas.
Begay says children get embarrassed about their culture because they are ridiculed if they express it, so they don’t speak the native tongue or dress in traditional costume.
“It’s important to know the Navajo language, that is what makes us different,” Cody said.
Traditional dances are rooted in ancient healing rituals and worship methods, examples of which will be presented at the Heritage Week powwow tonight and tomorrow in the Wilkinson Center ballroom.
During the first seven months of her reign, Cody said she has made it her platform to oppose domestic violence and also encourage youth to respect and stay connected with their elders.
“Spend time with your grandparents. They know everything about our heritage. They are the most important resource we have as Navajo people,” she said.
Cody, 23, was raised with Navajo traditions taught by her grandmother, and also speaks the native language, but she is not of pure Navajo descent.
“A lot of people thought I shouldn’t be crowned Miss Navajo because I am half African-American, but I tell them, ‘I don’t have time for that, I have bigger and more important things to worry about,'” Cody said.
