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Teaching on a small Navajo reservation in western New Mexico, surrounded by cowboys, Mormons, Mexicans, and Zuni Indians was quite the culture shock to a boy from Baltimore. This was not the sleepy reservation experience I was expecting. It was so much more. It was a celebration of diversity, individualism, and Native tradition. Even after all these years, I am still in awe of the vast array of experiences I was allowed thanks to the opportunities presented by the Ramah Navajo people.
There was so much to learn of my surroundings as a new teacher, from tribal stories to western folklore to superstitions played out in the lost canyons and mesas of thTeaching on a small Navajo reservation in western New Mexico, surrounded by cowboys, Mormons, Mexicans, and Zuni Indians was quite the culture shock to a boy from Baltimore. This was not the sleepy reservation experience I was expecting. It was so much more. It was a celebration of diversity, individualism, and Native tradition. Even after all these years, I am still in awe of the vast array of experiences I was allowed thanks to the opportunities presented by the Ramah Navajo people.
There was so much to learn of my surroundings as a new teacher, from tribal stories to western folklore to superstitions played out in the lost canyons and mesas of this unique state of New Mexico. As sublime as the area I taught in was, the undercurrent of a living history flowed through everything and every experience I attended. There wasn't a single day I didn't learn some new bit of cultural enlightenment that slipped from the mouths of my employers, the Ramah Navajo, or from my Zuni, Mormon, and Mexican neighbors. I had been presented with a treasure chest full of memories of western history and was fortunate enough to be aware of it. These stories about the people and times I experienced while working in this region are written from the heart.is unique state of New Mexico. As sublime as the area I taught in was, the undercurrent of a living history flowed through everything and every experience I attended. There wasn't a single day I didn't learn some new bit of cultural enlightenment that slipped from the mouths of my employers, the Ramah Navajo, or from my Zuni, Mormon, and Mexican neighbors. I had been presented with a treasure chest full of memories of western history and was fortunate enough to be aware of it. These stories about the people and times I experienced while working in this region are written from the heart.
About the author
After teaching on the Navajo reservation, Andrew Shows moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and established himself as a full-time artist. He owned two galleries and built Kolowisi, the largest standing sculpture in the state of New Mexico, commissioned by the city of Albuquerque. He has sold his work to museums and galleries worldwide. His key motivation for his creations has always involved humor and provoking a joyful response from the viewer.
