Growing Up in the Navajo Nation's Most Dangerous Community

We're in beautiful Canyon de Chelly National Monument, located on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. The serenity here is a stark contrast to the troubled community of Pinon, Arizona, where the lack of law enforcement has allowed gangs and violence to flourish in this remote community.
Meet Harlan Yazzie, who grew up in Pinon, Arizona and was involved with the local gangs that eventually led him to be incarcerated. Having been through the system, he found a new direction in his life and now works with youth to encourage them to not go down the same path that he did. Watch the first installment of Harlen's series of reform and redemption through family support and spiritual guidance.
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[@jgp8525]

I wish my cousin brother luck and continued perseverance in his life goals!! Keep it up!!! ❤

[@Spagoshi]

Aoh' we're rooting for him as well, ahe' hee for your comment and encouraging words 🤙🏾

[@mysteriousoklahoma777]

Spent a lot of summers in Piñon. “Where the highway ends and the wild Wild West begins.” -Bo Bowman, Navajo Rodeo Announcer

[@melvinbahe6429]

Been hearing that saying for the longest time since 70s I grew up in Pinon, Arizona

[@Spagoshi]

Thanks for sharing a piece of rodeo history! Have a great week 🤙🏾

[@CurtisGrupe]

Another wonderful video just started watching this tonight 🙌

[@Spagoshi]

Hope you enjoyed the interview & next episode drops this coming weekend 🤙🏾

[@jeanetteadame8177]

We all have freewill . sometimes we take the wrong path we must learn from our mistakes in order to make better decisions.One day at a time one step at a time .I respect this soul that has tooken his freewill and has made the choice to move forward instead of backwards.❤ Thank you Both for sharing ❤

[@Spagoshi]

Yes ma'am, Harlen's taking that road to a greater good & we hope it inspires youth who maybe going down the wrong path to correct & learn from someone else's mistakes. Ahe' hee for watching Harlen's video 🤙🏾

[@kimberlina68]

​@@SpagoshiI really hope he gets on track, but it seems weird first words about how he got to the point of going in prison; he started in on his parents, and that is bothersome. He says his Dad and Mom did the 9-5 thing. It seemed to me, from his answer, he was saying his dad and mom being at work all the time, as partial cause of his problems???

[@Spagoshi]

@@kimberlina68 ahe’hee for your comment. We understand this to mean that while his parents were at work, he got into trouble. Not blaming his parents, but explaining that he was unsupervised and made bad choices.

[@kimberlina68]

@@Spagoshi I have 2 grown children . My husband and I both worked long difficult hours . I had one child that made mistakes but did the right things, like obeying parents ruled, second child raised with same rules refused to follow them and ended up in serious trouble many times. Children can't be baptized before the age of 12 yo for a reason. After that they have some freewill and you can't blame your parents for YOUR mistakes. It happens now more than ever. My Father and Mother lived in dirt floor houses, but they worked hard to Step Up from that and were homeowners by the time I was in first grade. I did chores and homework while my parents worked. It's easier to not follow rules and BLAME your parents.

[@Spagoshi]

@@kimberlina68 I agree, I grew up with working parents but didn't get into trouble but some kids just have different outcomes and maybe there is information that isn't shared that flushed out why busy parents can lead to kids having problems. Not an exact problem but a similar one, look into Los Alamos, NM hidden teenage problems there. It's really interesting.

[@lindabriggs5118]

This young man has a good plan. He is committed to bettering himself, for his family, to walk with beauty.

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed & his upcoming episodes dives more into detail on his plans. Ahe' hee for watching Harlen's video 🤙🏾

[@lindabriggs5118]

@@Spagoshi I will be watching for the next part. Thank you. 😊

[@Spagoshi]

@@lindabriggs5118 🙏🏾 ahe' hee

[@bnicedanicest6288]

When I first moved to NN I started a contracting business with Fed Gov and did well I subcontracted with some very large Construction companies working on all the schools and housing projects on the Hopi and Navajo nations and Places like Farmington Durango Flagstaff Show Low Albuquerque and had licenses in 3 states including those around Piñon like Piñon Shopping Center for Navajo Nation Shopping Centers and NHA the few others I started life in California the smallest city I ever lived was Las Vegas, NV. Always the only indian kid on the block and one of few in school. I knew of kids from my little league all the way till the time I moved to Navajo Nation starting in juvie to doc thankfully I never got caught up but knowing the people I grew up with where I grew up I FULLY UNDERSTAND, although seems things have gotten worse when it comes to the drugs and although there are still gangs and more violent than ever they aren’t banging the same way When I started working all over the Rez I mean everywhere some of these projects way off the highways I would see these kids I would ask myself who are they banging on way out here but as I got to work in those areas on a daily basis that’s when you notice see more of what’s really going on the poverty not enough jobs or opportunity I took a few people got them off the streets so to speak taught them a trade/ how to fish I promised stick with me and when I am through with you you’ll be able to get a job and keep a job no matter where you go (as long as the economy and construction is good) I take good care of my peoples and they take good care of me believe me I still work around what they call border towns and these places are not the same as when I first moved up here. But mind the company that you keep. Things aren’t the same no more. Sometimes people ask me how I done it. I’ve been good to the game and the game has been good to me. If someone needed help I did if someone said they were hungry I got them something to eat doing all the traveling from projects I was first on scene to call on some accidents rollovers old people stuck on the side of the road etc always thankful to return when the situation arose Ahehee

[@Spagoshi]

That's a fascinating story, ahe' hee for sharing. Much appreciated! Please reach out to us via social media or [e-mail] Ahe' hee and take care brother 🤙🏾

[@dennismoroney]

Thank you for your story, we try to do the right thing, and hope for the best! Wishing you peace and happiness along the road ahead.

[@pauldaystar]

🙏🏽🕊👣Blessings from Alaska, Walking in Beauty, Always The Narrow Path👣🦅🕊

[@Spagoshi]

@@pauldaystar Ahe' hee for your comment and your encouraging words! We hope to be up in Alaska one day. 🤙🏾

[@BradChristie-fi2vs]

Navajo people are such a delight. A great teaching and beliefs they helped my life over the past year so far.

[@Spagoshi]

Ahe' hee for sharing your personal history. Hope you're doing good these days. Much appreciate your support and watching Harlen's video. 🤙🏾

[@RSVD84]

Love your channel because your doing the native side of stories. Just like the other KZbinr I like to watch.

[@Spagoshi]

Glad you enjoy our channel & many more to come! Ahe' hee 🤙🏾

[@HopiLivingintheCity]

This is true, I always say we need to have more Native People telling our stories. Too often, non-Natives try to tell our stories and get it wrong.

[@Spagoshi]

@@HopiLivingintheCity Agreed! We looked at other channels and we thought, let's make this happen but focus on our culture and other tribe's culture. More to come from Dine' side but we're moving into other tribes starting this year as well. Ahe' hee for your support! 🤙🏾

[@kathleenelaine7039]

Much is unsaid, so much regret, lost time over being a nuisance to the community. Navajo is already lacking resources and kids with nothing to do should be donating time to helping their community rather than drugging, stealing and inflicting violence on their own communities. I've had my steering column damaged, my vehicle stolen and of course beer cans in my truck. Get your shit together youth, do better.

[@Spagoshi]

There is a lot more to be said in the following episodes but it's also easy to play Monday morning quarterback or be from the outside looking in. Sympathy is what gives hope to the troubled youth, patience & attention is what they are crying out for. What area did you grow up? thanks for comment, 🤙🏾

[@renee5575]

Perfect timing to enjoy my second cup of coffee while watching great content ❤ Accountability is a super power we all have but few use. How awesome to see a fine example of someone using this superpower. It is not easy to seperate what we see on paper and the person in front of us but actions speak louder than the printed word of the past. Everyone should strive to do better than the day before❤

[@Spagoshi]

Hey there Renee! Glad you enjoyed Harlen's video. His story is a good one & one we hope a lot young can use as a take away. His hard truth speaks volumes 🤙🏾 ahe' hee for watching & I hope you were drinking out of the Spagoshi coffee cup! Ha

[@TheRastalockz]

Always live in the present positives my frnd and learn from the past negitives that have turned ourself against ourselfs and knowing you are a bright light from the stars above and around you is a great foundation to get back too, culturally n spiritually I’ve found over the years of now knowing Enforced colonisation has affected our native family lineage to no end if your not aware n mindful of it. Respect Spagoshi for highlighting this clan or tribal members life journey here. Stand strong. Stand steadfast my brothers.

[@Spagoshi]

Ahe' hee for your insightful comment. We were briefly discussing that as well, but we'll see if it's a recorded conversation but an offline conversation. It was a great day to meet up with Harlen. Ahe' hee brother for your comment 🤙🏾

[@chuckie5671]

It's sad that he went through those tough times. Sorry to say that there are more indigenes folks that are going through pain and suffering which I believe stems from the treatment the natives had to endure through the years to the present. I hope and pray that he and others can find peace.

[@Spagoshi]

Ahe' hee for the kind words. We appreciate your support 🤙🏾

[@meunierbr]

🎉what words can I offer to a Denehhe that has walked such a path. I am not so proud of hart as to give council.but I would simply say that you appear to be on the beauty way, and it is good to see.

[@aliwannigerry2060]

Like 113, Great impressive footage capturing the beautiful alluring scenery as the awesome gift of the mother nature that entice some of the viewers to keep on watching, thanks for sharing and bringing us to this wonderful relaxing place and stay safe always.

[@Spagoshi]

Ahe hee for watching Harlen's video & enjoying the scenic B-roll shots. It's alway relaxing driving through the motherland & enjoying the view 🤙🏾

[@bettybilly2496]

My grandfather relocated his sister, wife and children away from Piñon, AZ in the late 40’s due to terrorism. He claimed the people in his wife’s community were very “wild”. And that people, women and children included got bludgeoned on a regular basis. There were adult gangs at the ceremonies he said. So my grandmother is of the bitter water clan from Blue Gap. Our generation grew up in my grandfathers community way far from Piñon. Nonetheless, I am proud of the man who survived Piñon and the correctional facilities. Just becoming a man of respect haling from that community has my respect. Yes, live the present, and not the past (but learn from the past). 👍🏽 Nizhoni!

[@Spagoshi]

Interesting piece of history. I've been through all the towns along the highway around the reservation but never spent any time in Pinon. We're scheduled to be out there later this year, so I'll make sure I bring that up during the interview & see what history they can share. Ahe' hee 🤙🏾

[@marcellaetsitty1496]

you have remember that the small town has to service near by smaller communities, i.e. Forest Lake, Kitsilli, Hard Rock, Low Mountain, Blue Gab....its not just Pinon community. I grew in Pinon and I see the so call gang members fighting in front of Bashas. It has been quiet lately, think they all in Phoenix now.

[@Spagoshi]

@@marcellaetsitty1496 Ahe' hee for your comment. Do you still live in the area? I've heard about the scuffles in front of Bashas. Do you know any artist in that area? Ahe' hee for your support! 🤙🏾

[@Stewart-u7f]

Mindset, belief, and the will to succeed!

[@Spagoshi]

Exactly, 🙌🏾

[@Ybarra505]

I have been Traveling to Pinon monthly since 2007, i love the Navajo People. The Pinon Community will always hold a special place in my Heart

[@Spagoshi]

What tribe are you affiliated with? The community is tucked away in a beautiful area that is calm and quiet. Ahe' hee for checking out Harlan's series

[@Ybarra505]

@@Spagoshi No tribe my friend, just a vendor to the schools

[@aprillachappelle4124]

Bless his heart . You made the choice to be true yourself. Something to be very proud of . You are a wise man . Hopefully this reaches people that are in the spot that you were in, and I pray they learn and get something out of your message.

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed, Ahe' hee for sharing your insight and support!

[@Mr.Crosbyy.]

“Where the pavement ends and the Wild West Begins” .

[@Spagoshi]

Yessir 🤙🏾

[@LangzProductionz]

Support

[@LongdistanceRider22]

Thank you for sharing your story…. we all had to learn the hard way.

[@Spagoshi]

Ahe' hee for your comment and watching Harlen's video. Agreed, almost all of us learn the hard way. 🤙🏾

[@acbe73]

Bless this man if he is sincere and helping youth to avoid the life he led. Brave soul.

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed 🤙🏾

[@eriknez9511]

Powerful! Thanks for sharing! A lot of our Diné need to watch this.

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed, it's a learning lesson our younger generation can learn from instead of learning the hard way. Ahe' hee for watching Harlen's video 🤙🏾

[@gregruland1934]

great job ty inspiring respect, gl to all

[@Spagoshi]

Aoh' glad you enjoyed Harlen's video & we'll pass the word to Harlen 🤙🏾 ahe' hee

[@andreajohnson1796]

Learned from his mistakes, what a inspiration.......head strong ❤

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed, ahe' hee for your comment & supporting Harlen's video 🤙🏾

[@lotuspod17axemaster93]

Thank you for sharing your story sir , i know were you have been cause i been there myself and bless you for talking responsibility for your actions that is the road to recovery, i respect your decision to do so because nothing and or nobody made you make the wrong decisions you made we made i wish you the best of luck sir

[@Spagoshi]

Much appreciate the supportive words and I'll pass it onto Harlen. I hope you're in a good spot and as well. What area are you from? Ahe' hee

[@RezFlower]

Come on you all world wide webers. over 7K view and only 2.62K subs. You all best subscribe and hit the notification. Thanks bro, good content, good sounds & effects. God bless!

[@Spagoshi]

We are extremely flattered for your comment! Much appreciated, ahe' hee! 🤙🏾

[@Ricart0713]

😞🙏🏽 🥲 There is hope at the end of the sand storm …. MAN! I love ❤️ this interview!!!! A black and white piece of paper truly doesn’t define a person, it’s their present actions that defines a person. Some people have all these Black and White Paper Awards and Honorable Recognitions and yet they are evil inside and most likely have never been caught for their evil actions done in secret…..

[@Spagoshi]

Yessir, another example of why oral storytelling has more meaning than words on paper or a tablet. Glad you enjoyed Harlen's video & the take away. Ahe' hee for your support! 🤙🏾

[@Ricart0713]

@@Spagoshi Ahe’ hee 🤙🏽 brother

[@bettybilly2496]

Great content!

[@Spagoshi]

@@bettybilly2496 Ahe' hee 🤙🏾

[@natey9156]

I went to school with Harlan in Crownpoint NTC mow NTU. Whats up bro

[@raefredbegay6070]

To bad not many brothers don't own up to it. Their still out there trying to survive . Very sad.

[@Spagoshi]

We hope stories like Harlen will open their eyes or inspire a change of heart. Let's keep the optimism going for those who are in those hard places. Ahe' hee for your comment 🤙🏾

[@KA__777]

Beautiful story. ❤

[@Spagoshi]

Aoh'

[@unyieldingcreek1]

Great video!!

[@Spagoshi]

Aoh' we enjoyed Harlen's interview and his honesty. Ahe' hee for watching his video

[@matthewwillis4892]

The system is designed with many cracks, it's not hard to fall into them and get stuck.

[@Spagoshi]

Agreed, a lot of doesn't allow youth to make simple mistakes. Ahe' hee for sharing your thoughts 🤙🏾

[@sinsin7297]

Yeah get stuck in the mud 😂

[@bronsonb.w.3237]

Old Cedar Raised 🪶

[@Spagoshi]

Interesting you say that. Stay tuned for the next episodes. You may have an idea where this interview leads to. Ahe' hee for your comment! 🤙🏾

[@John-zx7vk]

How can I study about the Navajo nation and culture? J. W .Laubscher

[@Spagoshi]

Where do you reside? We can try to help point you the right direction.

[@John-zx7vk]

@Spagoshi I live in Texas, although raised all over the country. My father was Army. I have always wanted to learn about the Navajo people. Now I am old and have time to learn more. So I went back to my old passion, the Navajo nation. So if you don't mind helping, I would like to learn. J. W.

[@Spagoshi]

@@John-zx7vk Copy that, I know books were written but thanks to online content, you have resources directly from the storyteller. Aside from our channel, Traditional Navajo Teachings is a good one for stories and history. As for daily life, a ton of vloggers document their daily life. That's a wide view of what's out there but we can help more if you want to narrow it down. Ahe' hee for your support and reaching out to us. Have a great day sir!

[@John-zx7vk]

@Spagoshi thank you very much. I shall start with that book you suggested. If I need any more help can I text you? J. W.

[@Spagoshi]

@@John-zx7vk shoot us an email at [e-mail] Ahe' hee

[@MrChucke711]

When we are very young and in school and we do not learn about Virtues we fall to vice because we are blind.

[@maikailoa808]

He's a good man.

[@jayteller7225]

From Low Mountain AZ... Pinon is the closest grocery store

[@Spagoshi]

Even today? We'll be headed up to Low Mtn later this season. We heard of some paranormal, spooky stuff up there 🤙🏾

[@jayteller7225]

@Spagoshi sounds awesome

[@lbonnie4184]

I grew up on the rez was nothing wrong it when left just the parents not raising there kids right!

[@Spagoshi]

I've met kids who were raised by good, busy parents some did great others did not. In a place as remote as Pinon, can be tough for the youth with limited opportunity. A good example is Los Alamos, look into their youth problems.

[@lbonnie4184]

This is really a good video 👍

[@Spagoshi]

@@lbonnie4184 Ahe' hee for sharing your thoughts & starting a discussion. Have a great one 🤙🏾

[@thomasantonio9488]

Life is life is wrong is wrong,just Navajo myself,,born n rez way FMN _ being young on rez is very smart at times not--- I learn the wrong way too (brother) USN wasn't my problem__ what is a good Navajo_ DINE' red power...educate ourselves is always ...good

[@thomasantonio9488]

Understand n respect is always Good __ ji' niih..peace brother..

[@Spagoshi]

What are did you grow up on the rez? What ways did you find ways for balance and educate yourself? We appreciate your comment & sharing a piece of insight to your life. Ahe' hee 🤙🏾

[@Spagoshi]

@@thomasantonio9488 Aoh' 🙌🏾

[@xamu8144]

What makes it dangerous?

[@acly80]

Nothing lol. Just a small community.

[@GJ_Kennel]

Hey! Got some Mexican blood in you. 👍🏽 No diné grows facial hair.

[@Spagoshi]

Haha, what? A ton of Diné grow facial hair. Well the men do. 😉

[@aprillachappelle4124]

Never mind it's the camera

[@aprillachappelle4124]

Is that An Orb above him ?

[@jjyazzie526]

🙋🏻‍♀️😇🙏🏼❤️

[@Spagoshi]

🙌🏾🤙🏾

[@dodge4x498]

No gangsters on the dine rez only wannabes....they watch the blood in blood out movie and surprisingly an hour later they are gangsters..lol..witnessed it myself. I watched my class mates go through this back when I was in sixth to eighth grade in the mid to late nineties...I still see it today among the youth.

[@Spagoshi]

Do you think that's a phase everyone goes through except it's joining a gang? I've seen friends who were clean cut, then they listened to Operation Ivy and Clash, they instantly turned into hardcore punk rockers.

[@hostilesavage4299]

There arent no real gangsters in pinon 😂

[@larryblackmountain3966]

They said that are the only badaxx in pinon all obvious claiming naming while real homies kept it cool..😮😊😂. Showed up dressed like Rambo.

[@kathleenelaine7039]

what's your definition of a real gangster? A tatted tear drop on the eye? Such a waste, of course everyone gets 'saved' when they go to prison. Working parents make sacrifices for you and for these pimple faced adolescents to be stealing, drugging and committing acts of violence in the community that you live in is messed up. You don't respect your community, you want to be a real "gangsta" take that lifestyle with you and grow up and suffer the outcomes elsewhere.

[@bzclizodalizzo]

Fr come to chinle and it's like Stalingrad ☠️

[@larryblackmountain3966]

@@bzclizodalizzo funny..

[@dianesmith2249]

PSA on activities and crimes would shock your mind...

[@rileyhaskie4503]

Oh, dear: Wannabe gangsta? We call 'em Wannabe(s)...

[@tywatts7834]

Denebito

[@Spagoshi]

Is that the area you're from? We're hoping to be in that area later this year.

[@henrymurphy6031]

Rocky Ridge yah!!

[@melvinbahe6429]

Grew up in Pinon, Arizona

[@Spagoshi]

We're eventually going out there near Black Mesa. It's been a while 🤙🏾

[@mariebistline9953]

[@LangzProduction]

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