Honoring

This painting honors a century of protecting natural and cultural history in Grand Canyon National Park. It depicts Garrick Yazzie, a Diné (Navajo) dancer on the rim of the canyon as a monsoonal storm approaches. Garrick has shared his people’s history with thousands of Grand Canyon visitors for about 25 years, frequently dancing with his brother, Woodvin, as their uncle, Brent Chase, teaches, tells stories, sings and drums for the dances. Here, Garrick wears a regalia style used for Pow Wow where tribes come together in celebration of life and friendship. This particular outfit honors all bird life as his people believe that all bird songs are healing songs. The shield represents and honors Yazzie’s late grandfather, a WW-II Navajo Code Talker. Since 2014, each year I have been fortunate to observe Garrick dancing at the Grand Canyon and paint his dances direct from life.