S6, E6, Pt1: Stanford Lake & Ancestral Stories of the Navajo, Part 1

When I started Native ChocTalk, my goal was to support others in preserving their Native American ancestral stories. Some of us heard our families telling the accounts of those who came before us, but without preservation, many of those stories are now dust in the wind.

I’m proud of my guest and friend, Stanford Lake (Diné) who agreed to share some Navajo history and ancestral stories with us, and I think you will also enjoy!

Stanford, an award-winning Engineer of 20 years is originally from Kayenta/Black Mesa on the Navajo reservation. In part 1 of this 2-part series, he shares about:
• Being a first-language Navajo speaker
• Growing up in the traditional way of life and herding sheep
• The balance of Navajo life, centered around the harvest
• Traditional Hogan homes/ceremonial places
• Stories of that old trickster, the coyote
• Stanford’s Code Talker ancestor
• Ira Hays, the serviceman who raised the flag in Iwo Jima
• Navajo’s arranged marriages, culture and ceremonial sweats
• Stanford’s grandmother, Dzáán who herded sheep until she was 80 years old!

I hope as you listen to Stanford, you’ll be inspired to also record and preserve the stories of your ancestors. You won’t regret it – it’s a gift you give to your family and your descendants. God bless!

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