TEDxPhoenix 2010 Jolyana Bitsui - What it means to be a Navajo woman

Jolyana Bitsuie shares her journey becoming Miss Navajo Nation 2001/2002. As a young girl, she remembers moving away from the Navajo culture during her formative years as a high school student in Phoenix. Her mother understood, however, that one day she would come back and she did. Two days after being selected as Miss Navajo Nation, September 11th happened and she spent the next year representing the Navajo Nation across the country. As Miss Navajo, she shared what it meant to be a Navajo woman. She was the representation of her mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and communicated the importance of knowing who you are as an individual. Today, she teaches urban Navajos to keep their language and be proud of their roots, to ensure the survival of their language and culture.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxPhoenix, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxPhoenix event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

[@capone70]

Not a fan of TED talks anymore, but I am SO happy to see this woman embracing her culture and language. As a Sicilian, we are under the same pressures not to speak our language or identify with our culture in favor of the occupying Italians and prevalent Italian/EU culture so I can very much identify with this struggle. And I can say first-hand it does NOT make one "poor" or "rural"...in fact it is the opposite since you actually have to use a higher level of reasoning anytime you are fluent in 2 languages.

[@ToniM10]

There are "good" and "bad" things in EVERY CULTURE.... THAT DOESN'T MEAN..WE SHOULD LET THEM "DIE OUT".....

[@lunaproductions13]

What's up with people criticizing the fact that she said that she was bullied for doing things the traditional way? It's simply her experience. You can't say it's invalid when she's simply saying what she went through. Also maybe your experience is different because you may be from a different time than her. She was 20 when 9/11 happened so keep that in mind for when she was a child.

[@kristingoldtooth2294]

KPopCanadian Omgoodness, i agree with you. I believe that it is just people being jealous of her. This is why we cant have nice things, toxic people thanks, smh.

[@joshuadixontlaashchi258]

Yes it was a different time back then. I remember experiencing a little bit of the same thing when I was younger. I’m glad she shared that because she overcame it. It would be different if she said she was still bitter about that experience. Loved her story

[@EL-sy5jg]

I remember my father singing songs in Navajo and my mother still does today. I am proud to be native! I love my native culture. I understand my Navajo language. I am doing my best to teach my children. ✊🏼💕👌🏼

[@jarethozb07]

What happens if Navajo or other Native American tribes peoples marry white Americans ? I ask because, I assume it is ok but the white person wouldn't have a clan as such on either side would they somehow incorporate the white persons maternal / paternal surnames ?

[@ayyahze]

I am so glad she is going out to our younger generation to remember our language. It saddens me that our language is dying.

[@CiegoEnamorado]

There is nothing more beautiful than those who embrace and share their culture with others, like Ms. Jolyana Bitsui has done. I am a bilagáana from Arizona and was lucky enough to grow up with many Navajo friends and classmates. They could speak the Navajo language, and I was lucky enough to learn a little bit of this beautiful language from them. I have hope that more and more individuals will follow in her footsteps. Thank you for sharing this. :)

[@faithfirstfitness]

I'm Australian and this is making me emotional 😭 I wish I could speak my fathers native Igbo Language of Nigeria 🇳🇬 someday I will get there!

[@fragolegirl2002]

IKELECHI ICEI there might be lessons online. Try language exchange. Org. I think it’s called that not sure 🤔 I was losing my native Ecuadorian tongue so I met some online chatting them from Texas on skypewhere I live and i chatted to get some fluency again. My mom says you don’t need it so why speak it, and that hurts me. Cuz it’s apart of me and my dignity, my self respect to know my ancestors way of thinking and pass it on to my little one too

[@danachos]

remember to learn what country you are in in Oz. Indigenous languages and peoples there have similar stories

[@faithfirstfitness]

fragolegirl2002 my dad said that too and I was like daddy it's part of our culture. I want to understand my cousins my stepmother my uncles aunties and dad when they speak but I can't. That's heartbreaking.

[@LinguaMami]

It is amazing to me, after all the indigenous people of this land have suffered, that many would stand up in public and put them selves out there like this. It is beautiful beyond words. Thank you jolyana, for being so open and loving you share your heart with us❤️

[@destinywilson2398]

Sometimes I feel sad that I wasnt taught the Navajo language because I can't speak to the older generation of my family. I hope to learn more of my family's language in the future, though it is extremely difficult for me.

[@chalbinali8951]

It's sad that our language is vanishing, this generation will probably be last generation to talk the language. The teach part is gone, no more. How far back into the past can you trace your people's culture. You don't worry about that where there's a will there's a way. Do you want to know?

[@michaelcastillo1666]

This girl is more intelligent than most US political leaders.

[@stanibol]

There is something very wrong with any constitution that fails to set prerequisites for intelligence including logical reasoning, for presidential candidates and such. In Australia too, many politicians do not possess tertiary education and can barely string together an intelligible sentence. No wonder civilisation sees so many pitfalls - smart leaders are not being promoted. New World Order cabal is now preparing to let anarchy to roll on, so that they can pounce and regroup everyone into zones.

[@Talltrees84]

Amen. There should be a test for all Federal Candidates for workable knowledge of politics, US and world history, economics, foreign policy, science, diplomacy, etc. We have to take tests for a Degree, some times for a job, etc. Why shouldn't our leaders have to take a test. Funny thing is that many immigrants coming into this country know more about this nation than do many politicians.

[@benscoles3067]

I wish that was more of a compliment than it is. I know it was meant that way but the bar is so low nowadays lol

[@sager3388]

Not really. Just more compassionate. US political leaders all have an agenda for themselves, are very munipulative and coniving and do a good job during elections and then leave their supporters to the wind after they gain power and use it for their self interest. Only political person in recent years that was for the people was Trump but since US citizens are epic morons, they hated him because if the media. Cartels such as myself were having a hard time up until Biden got in! 😁

[@rolandasaulsberry8239]

Awesomely articulate in Navajo and English.

[@sculptingus]

The song at the end was beautiful, amazing voice I'm rewinding listening again. Thank you for keeping your language and culture your legacy

[@1light4love]

My heart burst open and overflowed the minute she starting singing.... but it was already so full from her presence, passion, grace, and humble perseverance from the start. I get to be a PenPal for a Native American Elder from another tribe.... I am so grateful. As a young 'white elite' female, I want to do every thing in my power to help these beautiful spirits survive, thrive and SHINE in this desolate world today!!! WE NEED YOU!! don't ever stop shining that Radiant light of yours!!!!!!! 💞✨🌄

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

That sounds extremely painful

[@jerrykinworthy9225]

I almost cried during her song. It was beautiful.

[@Rkendall95]

Absolutely perfect, i don't know what to say other than that. You represent your people in a way i've never seen before.

[@drose64]

She accomplished a lot in the twenty years she's been alive. Now how many people can do what she just did? She did a wonderful job doing this public presentation, it was much appreciated. To some, it comes easy, but it's a hard thing to do. The least we can do is listen to the whole presentation without giving up, because of our misguided thoughts in how a person should or should not be. Thank you.

[@lonewolfgamingplus379]

"Remember who you are" is what comes to mind when it comes to us Natives. We are in two worlds.. I miss home.

[@mb22256]

It's hard to remember who we are when we've lost so much as a tribe. I miss home too. hopefully one day we can move back n make the Rez a better place. Corruption and alcohol/drugs is what's killing Navajo Nation. people don't care anymore and it's sad.

[@cherylfuller4056]

I enjoyed listening to Jolyana Bitsui. I do believe all peoples should hold on to what they have and try to learn as much as they are able to. She has been blessed with family that has surrounded her.

[@screamcheeese7175]

I'm half Navajo/Apache, but I never grew up within my culture. My dad refused to embrace it, and so I never knew anything until I went to college where I met two people of the Shebala and Begay families. They taught me a few things, but I still feel lost. I feel like I don't know who I am because I don't know my own culture. I want to visit the Navajo Nation, and I want to learn the language and the traditions, but it doesn't help that there are some Dineh who reject me because I'm half white.

[@katelinmanymules3086]

What many people told me and what my elders told me, is you never say half navajo not half anything. because your suppose to say im navajo and white. Because you should be proud and never ashamed.

[@DopeKiller-qj8bz]

I know that some navajos and Apaches whom are some of our great great grandparents don't like it when their future generations are with anyone except their own tribe they turn to dislike them for breaking tradtion. or younger generations growing up mad at the elder for what they hate/dislike. ex. my great grandparents couldnt be together because ones apache, and the other navajo. so my grandma grew up never knowing her father since her fathers parents didnt want their son to be with someone of the apache tribe.

[@screamcheeese7175]

katelin manymules I never thought of that. I'm proud of who I am and where I come from and have never been ashamed. It just seems that others are ashamed of ME because I'm not "full". They've said this to my face, though I luckily haven't heard that in some time. I will remember to no longer say "half" though. Thank you.

[@candace-rosebowers1100]

I'm Apache, Yaqui and White (French).

[@MISJPEREZ]

Zuni and Mexican. Shebala Clan.

[@PeggyJame]

The Navajo language and culture is extremely important. Keep it and give it to your children.

[@avadong1402]

A wonderful presentation

[@kkaiapfeiffer4539]

nizhőní. I'm tachííníí dóo Yeíi-Diné and my mother always taught me to be proud of out ways, language and heritage; even in our modern and forever changing current day. Ahyé'e.

[@kylecarrillo2663]

Wow she is amazing. I loved her song that she shared as well as her speech.

[@gilliecalifornio9537]

What an amazing public speaker. She got skills. I enjoyed listening to her experience and life's story.

[@kalaylay9086]

My great grandmother was Navajo and lately I have been fascinated learning about this tribe! Beautiful video thank you.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

They pollute the earth with coal.

[@ToniM10]

Hope u find out Ur tribal connection.. nd Clans....😉😎👍

[@immacu-latte1312]

@@AZ-kr6ff you need to get your facts straight.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@immacu-latte1312 I've got them straight, believe me. I've studied the Navajo coal industry extensively.

[@immacu-latte1312]

@@AZ-kr6ff ☹ well we're trying anyway.

[@mountianraven]

Bless you little one for sharing our ways❤️

[@grayhiker4808]

You are a credit to your people and to our country. Thank you.

[@lizm5991]

She’s beautiful!! And so, is her language and culture❤️❤️

[@Cybernaut551]

Your talk has a beloved message that can save the world.

[@ritarevell7195]

When I was a teenager, I knew a young lady who won the Miss Navajo Nation. I had no idea how much was involved in the this honor.

[@chillestbread9166]

wish my dad spoke navajo to me growing up. don't understand my native language at all.

[@dadada486]

It never too late to learn it!

[@DeeJose]

take a class

[@kadygirlforever]

I’m trying to learn on DuoLingo. It’s hard but with repetition it’ll start sticking!

[@Kay-sc9se]

My grandfather/the cherokee side of my family made sure I knew my native language very well(fluently) before I learned English.(I love teaching my friends cherokee, Hindi and Arabic💗) .

[@1light4love]

@@Kay-sc9se YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT!! DON'T EVER STOP SHINING!!! 🙏✨💞🌄

[@khadijagwen]

The Navajo Dine' have taught me much about being Nadeeli. I am thankful for this.

[@mosichat]

Excellent! Inspiring! Very proud of you!

[@crunchybar9084]

she's wonderful! I love her jewelry!

[@byhislove]

A beautiful song! Thank you for sharing that!

[@LadyBug1967]

Her closing song spoke to my ❤️. It resonated deeply. I was surprised.

[@catty324]

This is a really good presentation, the things that she said really represented what a Navajo person should try to be.

[@johnrowland3105]

beautiful. really enjoyed this

[@frankbedonie3571]

Thank you for sharing little sister. I enjoyed your presentation.

[@lettielou4148]

Excellent talk and beautiful song. I love language and cringe at the thought that languages and cultures are fading. Humans do not need to be homogeneous. Our diverse cultures add so much, enriching the lives of everyone. Without diversity, we lose humanity. Thank you for sharing this, Miss Navajo Nation.

[@jpablood]

You go girl.

[@sherry4807]

This was beautiful

[@ShannonCrane]

What a beautiful talk given by a former Miss Navaho Nation! I am touched by her story, message, & song. I hope to attend a pageant for Miss Navajo, because I live in the Phoenix valley. I thought of a female young friend - pure Navaho- and will see if I can contact her to catch up on our lives. Blessings to all the native indigenous peoples of the world. I sincerely hope, urge, and pray for your recognition & global equality. If the indigenous peoples were “in charge” we would not have the severe environmental imbalances we face today. I hope we can learn from indigenous peoples!

[@melissakochavi1449]

Beautiful song...

[@kwyzi]

how wonderful - so lovely

[@nizhonichica2005]

Great Video!!

[@ironwelder480]

This is message is unique, due to the fact that many of younger generation are forgetting our navajo culture. I, for one, can speak navajo, sing navajo, write and read navajo. I know my clan and I have my traditional name. I am teaching my kids this, it makes my heart happy and thankful for my parents to have taught me this. I hope that my peers can teach the younger generation about the teachings of our people. Ahoo'

[@troyhagen587]

AWESOME INFORMATION AND VIDEO, THANKS. The past and our future generations we have to teach. MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE AND EVERY DAY.

[@celiablack8189]

Wow...that was so good to hear...job well done my dear...loved it so much and the song also...hooe i can learn for my grandchildren also who r city slickers also...ha...they come home an i teach them navajo and talk to them in navajo also ...ahoo

[@piccadelly9360]

I am so proud of you that you have returned to your roots and that you want to pass the language on

[@rosenars6665]

She is so sweet and pleasant, she makes me proud to be Native American

[@willbephore3086]

While being sweet and nice, aren't the only traits for women to be proud of and be acknowledged and celebrated for, she definitely seems really rad!

[@jujuba2099]

that was beautiful!

[@judithcampbell3354]

Very well spoken and it is a shame what have been taken from the Navaho nation. This young lady is a very beautiful young lady and I tip my skirt to her!

[@jean-pierrescherer8250]

Amazing, simply amazing!

[@divinemysticalguidanceinsp2590]

Thank you! God Bless!!

[@emmakataina9574]

Beautiful ted talk

[@thoughfullylost6241]

Great content from a powerful woman

[@johnf6504]

Proud to be a talker to the wind.

[@akki2anu]

Digitally hugging this beautiful CULTURALLY RICH lady. She works heel at home when she visits India. We are rather similar

[@TomasMatos1]

Great Video.

[@frankiejo6988]

Ahéhee and ak’ijidí. I wanted to say this to you in your traditional language. I hope the translation is correct. You truly do walk in beauty.

[@alanburnham9832]

Diversity is a wonderful thing, this is an extraordinary talk. Losing culture is awful. Native American culture is a huge part our American heritage.

[@Longboard914]

Here come the vegans complaining about sheep slaughter lol Forgetting that a vegan diet involves the exploitation of workers and the destruction of ecosystems and the degradation of soil.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

The Hopi were mainly farmers for the last thousand years while the Navajo who surrounded their farming villages, were hunter/herders like the Great Plains buffalo hunting Tribes.

[@jamesfreeman7954]

Yea cuz your people killed it.

[@Zamella1]

Great!

[@reneeacosta2438]

I'm so proud of you.... you're so important 😘🪶🌎

[@sweet91cheeks]

She is beautiful 😍

[@DulceMelodyOrozco28]

Hey, she sings beautiful 🤩

[@patriciapichon3656]

great song !!!!!

[@sculptingus]

Thank you

[@dorisschmid968]

Great Women ,,,so smart and intelligent ❤️💃Love you ❤️ one Family 💜

[@frankiejo6988]

Your song is beautiful

[@SatoriD]

very beautiful!

[@glennfoster2423]

I lived in Winslow, AZ for many years, and had many dineh working with me on the railroad What you speak of about your language and culture is something the youth need to hear and learn. What the cultural and historical attacks on English and the history of the US are causing is shamefully and very destructive. Perhaps the experience of the Navajo and all the changes that a cultural incursion of people from all over the world have brought can guide and inspire all of us to learn that a people cannot grow in beauty if torn from their roots. My prayer is "May there be beauty in front of me, behind me, to the right and the left of me, and may we always walk in beauty ". Haa'ko'neeh shi'chee

[@rodneydanis6449]

love it you speak well

[@xNoToUrZx]

I wish my family had embraced our whole culture. I don't know a lot about traditions

[@henzcarltupas328henzcarltu2]

I hope she will run for President

[@Gates_Writes]

I wish to learn more about Navajo and various other Native American people’s culture. It’s so hard to find information online and we don’t teach about these cultures in school. Loved this video

[@lorireed1117]

wow, she is awesome

[@virginiasmith8652]

Wow,,, Nizhoni , U did a good job. Keep it up👍👍

[@truedonblue3949]

GOD I love the language of the native indian.. I read the book How The West Was Lost .. oh my GOD I was never the same after that. I live in the sw mn close to native reservations, I went to alcohol treatment centers with native indians.. great great people found as friends.. but I found that there was a separation between our friendship.. something that kept us from really connecting as friends.. I see now I know how deep the rabbit hole goes.. very very deep for us european folk..trust is not the issue here.. or wait a minute.. maybe it it..

[@hersheychee9577]

Very intelligent woman I say.. also admired your presentation. Thanks

[@tamarabrennan1988]

My own life has been enriched from spending time within the four sacred mountains of the Navajo. One of my best memories is of the sound of wool yarn being tamped in place on the loom while people conversed in the Dine language. There is a whole book devoted to the linguistics of Navajo verbs! To me, not understanding it, the language sounds like water flowing over rounded stones. Young people, please value what you have been given from the generations who got you here. Wake up from the hunger that makes you scroll aimlessly on your phone and see your people.

[@dorisschmid968]

Am proud of you all ❤️💜🤍💚🌈💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💋

[@brinabrown2121]

please respect this families traditions a warrior is a proud honor

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is cool

[@moeshouse575]

i cry seeing and hearing you. i cry a joy cry for you and your people. i cry a sad cry for me as i have no rich heritage as you have. i have been to two big POW WOWS. i have NEVER felt so close to God as being at a POW WOW.

[@AnthonyRodriguez-xe7cx]

This also happened to the spanish-speaking people in the southwest when the United States took the land. My mom who passed away 70 years ago at 83 used to tell the stories about how they would get in trouble if they spoke Spanish at school. Her name was Margarita and the United States government public School system changed her name to Marjorie.

[@achalopez9185]

Que bonito canto.

[@chalbinali8951]

Si, Issachars!

[@haroldsilentman350]

I noticed a lot of Navajo parents speak English only to their kid's .That's one of the reason's we're losing our language. That's sad I'm proud to speak my Navajo language. THANK'S to my parents and my ELDERS

[@Blackstreak8]

It was systematic cultural oppression. We were targeted. Thank the United States Federal government.

[@cigh7445]

@@Blackstreak8 It was. But it doesn't have to take oppression for language loss to occur, they just have to outnumber you speakerwise with speakers of a language which is seen as more useful, more fashionable and of higher prestige. Intermarriage and coupling between speakers of minority and majority languages will always lean towards the majority language being more dominant in the child. This is why language communities with very strong boundaries are the only ones which last more than three generations in North America/Canada/everywhere in the English speaking world

[@tdhawk167]

Blessings to you. You are not trying, you are doing. Nizohoni

[@henrikjrgensen3099]

Absolutely fantastic, thank you from the land of vikings

[@ToniM10]

Did u know.. that there very well be a Native American tribe Related to the VIKINGS..n North Dakota!!???... Lol

[@mabelgrey3419]

Very Beautiful My Child, May The Blessings Of The Creator Be Amongst You As You Go In Life. Very Beautiful! I'm So Proud Of You're Teaching Other Children About The Cultures, Very beautiful.

[@cheridanbuck897]

we're related on mother side.

[@terriynjonez8295]

She is beautiful 🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷🌹🌷👍🏾👍🏾

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

A lot of us are 'half and half', Felicia. The problem here, and I grew up on and off a reservation due to my father's work and knew the Tribes well, from the inside, is that all the culture of the Tribes is rapidly vanishing after 1964 when suddenly, they were qualified for all this welfare money. Before then, the Tribes I knew and fondly remember used to raise livestock, farm in the desert, make amazing pottery for home use, wove their own coats, knew how to spin, hunt, build houses out of adobe, etc. Now, they live mainly in cheap prefab or even run down trailers, instead of clean homes and surrounding areas, there are beer cans and filth piled inside and outside, it is a hideous and sad mess and mirrors our inner cities.

[@thetasurfers]

thank your for valuable (and incredibly saddening) insight!

[@normanbonk8064]

❤❤❤

[@tanabegay8320]

I understand real we'll can speak it a lil but still learning! Need to ask my grandparents more ?'s...... :))

[@shandiinboren2243]

❤️

[@tammyjackson1026]

ya' 'at 'teeh jolyana

[@stanhootzz1904]

Gunal-Chesh fer repping the people yer born to. GOD please bless the Indigenous children round Mother Earth with the highest good in all their endeavors.A'HO!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[@lol-oq1nn]

Wow... keep it up... God gave us an identity we'd be doing well if we preserve and enrich it...

[@georgebeams2512]

You have a great opportunity-being born a Navajo women!