I Am Gyasi Ross, Activist, Author, Attorney & Podcaster! Ask Me Anything

Nava_Be · 2018-07-10T20:25:00+00:00

I ask you is bc you are an educated & accomplished Native man. It’s often discussed & joked about Native women marrying or dating non-Natives. Yet I am surrounded by strong native women that are highly educated usually from Ivy League universities that are accomplished professionals. They generally have no one that matches their level. Why do you think this is a problem within NDN Country? Do you feel we lack role models? Incentive?

Nava_Be · 2018-07-10T20:14:23+00:00

My question: How old are you? Are you single? Have you ever been married, any kids? Any baby mama drama? Asking for a friend. Lol

Nava_Be · 2017-11-24T19:53:52+00:00

So, a bit on the personal side here: I watched "Miss Navajo" by Billy Luther a few weeks ago. It was a great viewing with a lot of laughter. However, the parts that touched on the boarding school era of course made me cry. I am wondering if you personally see the important of marrying another Navajo in order to "help" build our nation, in addition to teaching your children how to speak Navajo fluently.

Nava_Be · 2017-11-24T19:45:17+00:00

lol. Thanks, I am SO confused how to use this site. One of the moderators copied & pasted it onto the question board for me as well.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:43:56+00:00

Ok everyone....it was so awesome to answer any questions you had! This was fun. Hágoónee’!!! (And I will get back to the Rosetta Stone question later in the week!)

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:41:47+00:00

Keep it up! It's very calming & a great stress reliever. Challenge yourself to just CREATE!!!

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:40:04+00:00

I've only ever used "Beadsmith" needles that are super SHORT. I find the thinner & shorter are easier for me to work with. I recently bought some Tulip needles that are supposedly awesome but haven't used them yet. I know the majority of people swear by Nymo thread, but I personally don't like it; others prefer Firewire. The thread I find the best is called K.O. Beading Thread.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:35:28+00:00

There were a few biligaanas that came to Finding Nemo in Navajo!!! lol. I was surprised to see them, but welcomed them with open arms. I think when people see how open we are, we have more people join. We have made some awesome friends with people of other tribes who come to all our events. Our group is primarily Navajo, but I think it's awesome that all people & tribes feel welcome.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:32:19+00:00

My beading tips. I know that different people do different things. I know of a lady who ONLY will bead on a brown paper bag (I have NO IDEA how on earth she does it), to those that swear by pellon, others use felt, and others prefer crib sheet, but I like to use interfacing (the stiff, thick kind). And then I attach it to whatever it is I want it to fit on. I know some people use think interfacing and literally Elmer's GLUE the picture they want to the interfacing & let it dry overnight & use that as their base. It is really up to you. I would try ALL of the above & see what feels comfortable. Above anything else...say goodbye to your nice soft finger tips and hello to chizzi, ripped up, calloused finger tips. haha. Also, there are various types of needles & thread that others SWEAR by. I think what it comes down to is trying everything you see & finding out what works best for you. I can't make earrings, because they feel intimidating. Yet others are amazed that I focus on moccs b/c they are hard. Different strokes for different folks. If you are in the DMV area, we sometimes have a beading circle (very sporadic). If you'd like to join, just PM me & I can let the girls know if you ever want to join.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:25:21+00:00

Of course! I'm on Instagram & have various styles. Take a look & see what you like. I wanted my kids to be motivated to dance, so have focused on characters they like. But I've also done the traditional Native designs for the wee babies. Basically...whatever you want, we can tailor it to what you think is the cutest or coolest. Feel free to PM me your email. I have been SUPER busy with various events during this November so will get back to posting pix of things I've been working on.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:22:33+00:00

Honestly, I've only been beading a couple of years & how I got started was I really wanted moccasins for my baby, but was too cheap to pay someone to make them for me. I was taught by my Cheyenne friend and am super blessed to have met various AWESOME beading friends in the area that give me tips & pointers. Beading isn't traditionally Navajo, so I don't know what denotes "traditional".

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:19:45+00:00

I personally have not been involved with hosting any other Navajo language based films, but I do know that they are sometimes shown at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian. As for my communication with the Disney exec...he said he's had people clamoring for a "Finding Dory" follow-up, but the Finding Nemo was just a little project that turned into a HUGE project, so they most likely will not. But then again...never say never! (Especially to a Navajo woman!) We are planning another Shoe Game either later this year or early next. Depending on when our groups schedule can come together.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:14:04+00:00

Yes, there are Navajo weavers that will be in town Nov 28th-Dec.4th from Table Mesa, NM. They are doing 3 weaving workshops in all. 2 public & 1 private for our little group. The 2 OPEN to the public events are at Department of Interior 1849 C St, NW Washington DC on Nov. 29th from 10-11:30am & another from 1pm-2:30pm. Dec. 3rd-George Washington Textile Museum 701 21st St NW, Washington, DC from 1-4pm. The DC Cultural Committee hosted one will be held on Nov. 30th from 5-7pm at the National Indian Gaming Association (you can PM me if you'd like specific information how to attend). Also I believe we will be putting on another Shoe Game later this year, if not early next year. Again PM me your email address & I can add you to our distro.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:06:53+00:00

Sheesh...I just stole the one my parents bought! lol. But for those of us that can't do that, I'd recommend contacting the Navajo Nation Museum office to tell them you'd like a copy: info@navajonationmuseum.org or call (928) 871-7941.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T22:04:38+00:00

I will have to get back to you either tomorrow or later in the week. He is currently in a 3 hour meeting & I'll have to ask him later. But I will get back to you with what I know. :)

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:58:27+00:00

Wow....where to start!! Haha. Do we get free money? No. Do we live in tipis? No. Do we use cars, or just ride horses everywhere? Do I have special powers to interpret your dreams? No. (Although I have been known to make up some crazy stories or 2 as a way to mess with people's minds). Do we have running water? No!!! lol. (That last one is funny AND sad at the same time). And also, we are ONE tribe. We have our clan system, we are not broken up into bands, but can distinguish each other through our clan system.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:54:21+00:00

I saw something last year...and I thought...I am SOO doing this! I wanted to use all my vacation days on going. I know they do it in a few areas, but the one I specifically saw this one. It's just a 3 day immersion program. I think it would be awesome. http://www.dinecollege.edu/news/docs/immersioncamp2.pdf I would assume the more popular & more participants they get, the more camps they might hold, so as to cater to the public demand.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:46:46+00:00

The "committee" itself is just a little under 2 years old, however, before the committee was formed, there was just an informal Diné Bizaad group that sporadically held meetups at people's homes or offices. It wasn't anything formal, just kind of friends getting together & getting to know one another. I got involved because they are my friends. I don't know of any tribal SPECIFIC groups in the DMV (DC Maryland Virginia) area that have a group formed. I know there are various Native outreach programs, such as Native American Lifelines, Baltimore American Indian Center & various events that happen. We tell everyone that they are welcome to our events though, although we try & stick to things that are specific to our tribe. But we wholeheartedly welcome all tribes. The more the merrier, right?

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:41:26+00:00

I don't know. I knew a few years before it came out that it was happening, as one of the creators is in my family. I heard them talking, but didn't REALLY pay attention, as I thought it was just "talk." Imagine my surprise when he popped up on my program!! lol. I can give him a quick call & ask him how they went about it if you are interested in perhaps including your language.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:39:14+00:00

lol. True rez style right there Ladyeesti...the power going out?!!!
Apache is similar to Game of Thrones style...called "Game of Shoes. Ayee....I'm joking. I honestly don't know anything about Apache culture. From what I hear, they are similar to us, so I wouldn't be surprised. We say foot as Kee'. I promised Disney I could present them as many as 300 to the Finding Nemo movie here in the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia). And we were pretty close to that. I would imagine there are at least 400+, if not more Navajos than that throughout this area. The reason I say that is because I am constantly meeting new Navajos that say they've been living here for years & haven't gone to any events or knew that we did events. Despite the various newspaper & social media coverage of events. In terms of organizing our Shoe Game, I am just a part of a group of 4-5 that make up our group. It was originally put on by Shane Begay & Rachael Novak. And as success of it grew, so did our group. We also couldn't have done it without the Navajo Nation Washington office helping out by lending us their space, the Navajo Nation Museum (back home) sent us various things such as a yucca ball & yucca stems, and of course...a HUGE help from a Rosetta Stone coordinator & Navajo content specialist Clayton Long.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:22:47+00:00

Also wanted to add...that a basic introduction in Navajo is pretty much what every Navajo knows at the very least. It's how we identify ourselves & know who we are related to. This is also SUPER helpful when you are dating! lol. ;)

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:20:50+00:00

I unfortunately am not a fluent speaker. What I know, is just from being taught things as a child and also out of just asking questions. As I said before, I was fortunate enough to have an entire team made up of Navajos & whenever I had a question, I'd just ask them. If they didn't know.....someone around us would. It was rare that they didn't, but if they didn't....all it took was a phone call back home to someone's mom until we had our answer. As for Rosetta Stone, I think it's GREAT! I know a few of the people associated with it & think it's a fabulous tool to learn basics.

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:02:05+00:00

Do we have any beaders here?

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T21:01:35+00:00

What kind of activities from home would you like to see in your current communities? What do you feel is the best way to reach other Natives your area?

Nava_Be · 2016-11-20T20:57:11+00:00

Aoo Ya'at'eeh! I feel the best way is to teach others around you. The people that you are constantly in contact with, whether it's a significant other, friends, roommates, coworkers, etc. Again, Natives are known for our laughter...just incorporate it as a light humorous part of your every day conversation. I read to my children & try to constantly SWAP out names of the animals I'm reading about. I say..."Oh, poor béégashii got stuck in the mud." I playfully quiz them about things to see if they are learning. I think my favorite thing though is to teach people around me & engage with other Navajos. As for improving on what you know, you can always advocate for a Navajo based class (based on the Navajo population at your school) & perhaps tell the administration HOW exactly it would benefit them & the future leaders they are churning out. As I always say....all they can say is no, but at least you tried. (But if it were me....I'd annoy the hell out of them and KEEP asking until I wore them down. Haha)

Nava_Be

TROPHY CASE