A Grandmother’s Visit

Late this evening as we were finishing a discussion of the Teec Nos Pos rug style, our class was honored with a visit by 98 year old weaver Helen Yazzie and her granddaughter Lynelle Begay who happened to be having dinner at the Diné Restaurant next to the meeting room we are using for class.  Helen expressed admiration for the Henry Lee Dedman hip spindles that we had on one of our tables and told us through translation by her granddaughter and Jennie how she had been a spinner and weaver since she was a young girl.  Helen inspected all of the looms and we gifted her with the spindle that she most admired and some churro roving that we hope she enjoys.  Nizhónígo naniná doo, Helen.  May you walk in beauty.

Helen Yazzie with our weaving seminar group.  From left, Roberta Sauerwein, Jennie Slick, Liz Munk, Laurie West, Barb Spelman and Mary Weinzirl.  In front, Helen Yazzie and granddaughter Lynelle Begay.

Helen Yazzie with our weaving seminar group. Standing from left, Roberta Sauerwein, Jennie Slick, Liz Munk, Laurie West, Barb Spelman and Mary Weinzirl. In front, Helen Yazzie and granddaughter Lynelle Begay.