Wanda Nez Orr, asset protection specialist in the Smith's division, is a proud member of the Navajo tribe, and she's sharing her culture and heritage with us in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. We'e so thankful to have associates like her across our Kroger Family who help us create an inclusive culture where everyone can be their authentic selves.

I am a Native American. I belong to the Dine-(The People) Navajo tribe.

I grew up on the Navajo Reservation in Tohatchi, New Mexico. My parents are Frank and Rose Nez. Nez is the Navajo word for "all—€攎y grandfather was very tall. I have four sisters and one brother. My husband, Colin, and I have three sons and two daughters.

我是酋长 Manuelito 和他的妻子 Juanita 的后裔。Juanita 是第一位在国会发表讲话的美国原住民女性。我在保留地的家就是 Juanita 曾经居住过的同一片土地。

Navajos do not have nieces and nephews; we have sons and daughters. We do not have uncles and aunts; we have Little Fathers and Little Mothers. We treat all our children the same as if they are our very own. Our culture teaches our children and young people to respect our elders and address them as Grandma and Grandpa. As we age, we have teenagers and young adults who will call us Grandma when they address us, even if we have never met. Once, my mom and sister were at the mall when a young lady came over and wrapped a native print blanket around my mom and said, "ere Grandma, I bought this for you because I don' want you to be cold.-/p>

纳瓦霍人仍然居住或拥有 Hogan。这是一种传统的住所，是我们举行仪式以保持身心平衡的神圣场所。Hogan 是一个带泥土地面的单间。大约每 10 年，泥土地面会被翻新，挖掉大约三英寸，换上新鲜的干净泥土，就像换新地毯一样。Hogan 的入口总是朝东，在我们开始新的一天时迎接太阳。

纳瓦霍是一个母系社会。土地和财产由母亲传给女儿。女性做出有关土地的决定。男性进入婚姻时只带着他的马和马鞍。

以下是我们仍在庆祝的一些传统和一些有趣的事实：

Baby's first laugh. In the Navajo tradition, we believe that newborns first reside in the world of the Holy People before they join their earthly family. When a child is born, we believe the child lives among the Holy People until his or her first laugh. The first laugh is a sign that the child is transitioning from the Spirit World and is ready to join his family on earth. Whoever makes the baby laugh first has the honor of hosting the Baby's First Laugh Ceremony, which consists of food and gifts to all who attend. This is the first lesson in being generous.

Kinalda 仪式是一个为期四天的年轻女性成年仪式。它在黎明开始，此时 Kinalda 受到祝福，穿上她的纳瓦霍传统服饰，并在每天日出、正午和日落时跑步。随着她奔跑，她获得耐力，每一次都会跑得更远，就像在生活中一样。还会挖一个 4 英尺乘 1 英尺的洞，火将在四天内 24 小时燃烧。它代表年轻 Kinalda 的光芒，在四天内绝不能熄灭。火焰有人 24 小时看守。

在四天的时间里，Kinalda 将学习如何持家并成为一个慷慨的女主人。第三天，庆祝活动开始，制作玉米蛋糕面糊，在 4x1 的洞中烘烤。我们将玉米壳缝在一起作为烤盘。Kinalda 为蛋糕祝福，然后盖上盖子，把火放在上面。蛋糕整夜烘烤。

同一天晚上，药师会来，Kinalda 将彻夜不眠。她将受到祈祷和歌曲的祝福。早上，将有一场盛大的宴会，Kinalda 会把她收到的所有礼物分发给客人们。

纳瓦霍密码通讯员. My dad's brother, Freeland Nez, was a Navajo Code Talker. My dad was so very proud of him. The Navajo Code Talkers created a unique code within a code and served our country during World War II.

以下是该密码的一些示例：

我父亲是一位药师。When one medicine man couldn' figure out what ailed a patient, they would send the patient to my dad. He was amazing. Our yard was always full of cars with patients waiting their turn with the medicine man.

It has been a long road for us Navajos. During the "corched Earth Campaign-of 1864, our livestock, homes, orchards and gardens were burned because there was a belief that the mountains on Indian land held silver. My ancestors walked to Fort Sumner and lived without sufficient shelter and food. When silver was not found, they were allowed to return home.

感谢您给予这个机会，这不仅代表我自己，也代表您的美国原住民员工。

Wanda Nez Orr

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