Traditional Native American Etiquette

Navajo Historian, Wally Brown, teaches about traditional etiquette and some of old ways that are being forgotten.

[@Blackgoldart1]

Yes when I was a child and a young adult I was shy and wouldn't look people in the eye. I was taught to not look people in their eyes, that as you said, it was to show respect to your elders and to not be disrespecting and challenging them. At school, teachers and people would tell me to look people in the eye and sometimes they would try to force me to do this. I hated it how they would try to do this to me and I would move my head away from them. It was frustrating to me. UGH!!! 😣

[@quianna9561]

I was the same as a kid

[@juliem.679]

@@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712 I am appalled and so sad that you endured that sort of treatment. Any good tradition is taught with love and patience, not beatings and deprivation. Thank you for sharing your experience. I wish you blessings and peace in this life.

[@juliem.679]

@@ordyhorizonrivieredunord712 That is a sad story of childhood, to be sure. My paternal great-great-grandparents were French-Canadian. They were "half-cousins, once removed," if you can figure that out without seeing the family tree. It's because there were multiple spouses with different sets of children. One ancestor came to farm here in Wisconsin, returned to Quebec to get his "cousin" and special dispensation to marry from the church, then had many American children. I don't know if the American Catholic schools were as difficult as the Quebec ones, but I know they were harsh to my father, who had dyslexia and needed extra help learning to read well. Thank God we don't tell parents their children are lazy and stupid anymore when we know they have learning disabilities.

[@carolmoore1038]

In many ways I take after the Native Americans side of our family. Usually when I hear talk such as these what is being said resonates with me powerfully. To me to look people in the eye. I was taught that to not look them in the eye is disrespectful. In European culture they say look me in the eye and say that because many people can't look you in the eye if they're not telling the truth. There are just a couple few things about Native culture that would actually be hard for me to adjust. since becoming an adult I was taught as a woman don't look a man in the eye but I still catch myself doing it, and I apologize out of respect to the culture but I can't ever not do it. Even when I was little and shy. It's so interesting to hear your perspective on this as it is the mirror opposite of mine.

[@lilyflower5576]

Me too!! Exactly the same!

[@markmark2080]

Thank you so much for this video. As a "white man", I've always been taught to look a person in the eyes when talking with them as the eyes can express a lot of the "inner soul", It bothered me when someone would not look at my face when talking with me (unless it was just shyness), like he wasn't being honest or something. You've opened my eyes to a cultural difference I have not been aware of, and I'm in my 70's.

[@vijnananath]

Yes, watching these and videos from other Native elders has taught me the context for so many things. It's wonderful having people like Wally out there simultaneously preserving their wisdom for their people and giving people like you and I a window into their culture.

[@rotfuchs333]

I'm German and would have a difficult time there. American tourist always complain we stare at them all the time. I never understood what they meant, it's just our way to look at people. It means nothing at all just indifference. Cultures are different.

[@tonymorfin8750]

You are only in your 70s.

[@wulfseig1864]

When I was a baby I was taken away from my father's family, Ute. I was brought up in a very white world. My outsides look white but my inner senses are not. A lot of things just didn't make sense. Recently I've been looking into my heritage. Even though I'm not Navajo, I'm Ute, I appreciate your teachings. Thank you. So, a lot of what you are teaching makes sense to me now. I was never taught these things but they are innately ingrained in me. I never look people in the eye, not out of cowardice but out of respect. Especially if it's a teaching situation. I'm even listening to you, not watching. I can't tell you how many teachers have been upset about this in my past. Again thank you for your teachings. I wish there were more channels like yours. We need to teach all peoples so the Indigenous people will be recognized and respected.

[@savantianprince]

And in the public school system if you don't look people in the eye, they assume you are autistic?

[@adoxartist1258]

@@savantianprince Yes. My kids and husband do have autism and people, especially teachers, lose their minds when my kids/husband don't look them in the eye. Even if they know about the autism they throw a fit about eye contact - which is odd. Watching someone not on the spectrum having a meltdown about one tiny part of an autistic person's behavior.

[@jamesaritchie1]

You're an idiot, not a Ute.

[@juliem.679]

@@adoxartist1258 In most Western white culture, NOT looking people in the eye when you are conversing is considered disrespectful because it's assumed you are not paying attention. Strange how these "traditions" and assumptions about others develop. The handshake is a tradition traced back to the European Middle Ages where strangers showed their dominant hand (typically the right hand) to prove they were not coming at the other person with a weapon. While most white people consider eye contact an essential part of "proper" etiquette, we should be teaching the next generation not to insist on these traditions from everybody in every situation because of our differences. (We keep saying we want to celebrate diversity but when do we really allow others to diverge from our ingrained expectations?)

[@adoxartist1258]

@@juliem.679 Exactly.

[@dogfacedponysoldier1692]

I will remember this next time I return to Farmington. Thank you Sir.

[@Ayla999]

Thank you Mr Brown. I will be always grateful for the lessons you teach and all of the wisdom you share. Greetings from Poland 🌸🦉🙏🏻

[@onefeather2]

I remember when i was a child/teen my mom and my sisters we lived in New Mexico and we were always going places and mom always took lots of pictures of scenery and towns and us kids but Never take pictures of the Navajo people/person as mom said the taking of a picture of them would be taking a piece of the soul or the energy of that person, I have always remembered that and respected that but don't know if that is what the Navajo believed. These teachings are most important and has a feeling of Spirit. Thank you for these videos. Many blessings.

[@brendalaveine7756]

"O si-yo" So many of our children were removed from their indigenous families. To forget our history, teachings, families, traditions and understanding of the world around us. Young tribes of America, inform your friends and families of all tribes, have them listen to this elder wise man. All of our tribes in America followed these teachings. I'm Cherokee/ Osage. Born in 1930. My grandmother taught me these things as a child before she went meet great spirit in sky. I'm Song of Mockingbird.

[@oldschool8292]

"O-si-yo" So true. Cherokee, Shawnee, Huron here

[@gcnewd]

I have watched 6 or 7 of your videosmso far. Thank you very much. It is very interesting and enlightening

[@begays]

ahee'hee' wally for sharing your teachings and wisdoms. very honored to hear them.

[@staciwashington3212]

My white family...my mother is associated with the Begays. Her name was Loie.

[@NewEarthWellness]

Your videos are so interesting. So much wisdom. Thank you.

[@rhythmaddict808]

I am so happy to find you. I am from a Hawaiian culture and very little of it is left once we got discovered...Aloha a hui ho (with deep respect until we meet again) Honi honi (hugs) from Maui.

[@TheFireFoxTribe]

Thank you Walley for your knowledge.

[@Love2TravelAway]

Thank you for your teachings

[@bambi4410]

💜Thank you Sir! Ann! Makes so much sence now .... My whole life eye contact felt SO WEIRD & extremely uncomfortable, regardless of being taught to "look at my feet".... It's been difficult to deal with- especially when getting jobs. I always wonderd why I was brought up that way. Thank you again for your time given to teaching us! I am very greatful for the understanding! Much Love! -Bambi

[@rady2487]

In my culture looking at elders in the eyes is considered disrespectful. I guess the old saying is "the eyes are the mirror to your soul"

[@elliottjames671]

I think there's an energetic aspect to it as well idk I haven't quite thought it out but this one thing I have noticed when my prana is really firing out of my head people and I think even animals like pigeons I've tested it on can tell im looking at them theyll turn around and the pigeon will straighten up and look directly at my direction even blading its field of vision at me its head pointing directly at me this isn't how pigeons see their eyes are on the sides of their heads. I believe it may have done this because that is where pigeons have some type of magnetic or energetic sensor right between the eye they use it navigate migration and such. People may have a weaker form too the pineal gland.

[@belindaresor.78]

Thank you, my maternal grandmother was born in NM. I believe this influenced my life some, even though we believe to be Cherokee through my maternal grandfather. I went to a sweat lodge many years ago, and the young man heating the rocks was Dine. I had an interesting experience there, and later felt spirits there re-introduced me to the Dine. Now luckily many people can enjoy reconnecting thru KZbin videos.

[@jackhartsough3]

I like how we pretty much adopted the fist bump

[@alaskanhealer]

Thank you for the wisdom, I appreciate it and You❤️

[@SpiceyNice]

Ironically I found this KZbin channel after I finally admitted to some family members that on my biological fathers side, I’m Mexican and Navajo. I found out that my grandpa served WWII, and is buried in Santa Fe, NM. So, I’ve been following your videos. Thank you 🙏🏽 I’ll still continue to look ppl in the eye because these days it’s seen cowardly if you don’t. I’m a strong woman and I have to always keep my guard on that. Ppl take niceness, and respect for cowardice in this day and age. And when I shake someone’s hand, I shake it like a man. Because it shows them I’m dominate. I just don’t want to be messed with! But, I see what you are saying about the finger tips. I think it’s lovely and you could glean some personal, and energy information from that source if this old world hadn’t turned so dark, instead of light.

[@user-ng3bg7qw2d]

Grateful Grandfather. Blessings. 💛

[@cloisterene]

I have similar feelings about eye contact and hand shaking. It is disrespectful when people look at others predatorially and/or grab at people aggressively as though asserting their dominance. It always makes me uncomfortable. Some brief eye contact is fine, as long as it is polite. I do feel however that to *completely* avoid all contact with others as if to refuse to acknowledge their existence and dare I say their beauty and intelligence is equally rude and arrogant. It is unfortunate that the world is overpopulated with dishonest and abusive psychopaths, so that we must live in such fear and distrust.

[@jamesaritchie1]

It is unfortunate that so many fools like you exist who can't be themselves, but have to pretend to have feelings similar to some nut online. Not looking someone directly in the eye is disrespectful and cowardly. It is subservient and womanly. Grow up, little man.

[@cloisterene]

And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

[@Kyohan137]

@@jamesaritchie1 In your culture perhaps what you believe is considered the truth but no one group is the arbiter of what is proper with respect to traditions and behavioral norms. Insulting people because you don’t agree with them is a sign of weakness and immaturity perhaps you should heed your own recommendation.

[@michaelramos1193]

I’m Mexican and native , this is challenging because I grew up in a Mexican household and was tought to display my confidence though direct eye contact otherwise I would be showing weakness and disrespect but yet I have native blood running through my veins and I want to learn our ways

[@Blackopsmechanic338]

Thank you for sharing your history and wisdom. Peace

[@gw2315]

Mexican natives from the rancho have a culture that is very similar to the Navajo 🙏🏽 thanks Maestro

[@CS-pi5oc]

I was shy due to abuse. I avoided eyes. As a teen a woman made note that I was not being personable or polite since I didn’t look her in the eyes. I forced myself to look others in the eyes. He gives one something to ponder. I’m glad I am no longer shy. I may have swung to far the opposite. LOL.

[@staciwashington3212]

Yes. I learned these things from my dad.🐦🌷

[@porschaaaislitty9692]

Thank you for sharing your customs and beliefs I never knew that

[@davinsinger3082]

I would love to learn more about Díné traditional songs for child during birth for fathers

[@magorzatadudziak2092]

Thank you.

[@jssc7026]

Indeed 💯

[@susang2535]

Thank you for this. I am always eager not to offend others. I live very close to the Yakama Nation and this is important to me.

[@WhiteBuffalo032]

Thank you Mr. Brown for these priceless lessons. In Texas we try to break each others hand and have daily staredown contests. Utterly ridiculous.

[@fireinthesky6]

Thank you very much

[@AhJodie]

Thank you

[@bullluttttt]

one of my neighbors who makes war on me, once he looked me deeply in the eyes, I saw that he was trying to see me "inside", to read in me , but I was there and he could not see

[@bambi4410]

💜💜💜

[@elliottjames671]

Whats that?

[@bullluttttt]

@@elliottjames671 it's like I'm double, or the emotions take control of me, or it's my consciousness that gets detached

[@revati8870]

Same in Sardinia, the sibling taboo too.

[@elliottjames671]

All I need is the finger tips to manipulate your energies.🙂

[@oneearthmerged6855]

💜

[@mondopinion3777]

In true honest Western culture, a firm handshake is not really "gripping," it is letting each other feel strength-in-cooperation ...an affirmation of brotherhood working together. I am an old woman living on a mini farm in eastern Canada, and the working men here, the good ones, shake my hand in that manner just as they would a man's. A limp handshake raises instant distrust and signals the person is not reliable in working together.

[@juliem.679]

People with arthritis dread firm handshakes.

[@clecticmaniac5207]

well the teaching here isnt about that, we didnt judge anyone from a simple action. we judge them on what they have done in front of us and how they treat others. we dont judge based on a handshake, sure i understand. but for navajos it shows how abrasive youa re with delicate manners, how mindful you are to other people.thats our teaching. but i can see why you guys say that.

[@mondopinion3777]

@@clecticmaniac5207 For sure. People who live in communal structures and share food production need to have much better manners than people who live in small family units on privately owned property. In a way, that warm handshake makes a kind of bridge across the "privacy" walls, and establishes cooperation -- which sharing cultures know simply as part of their normal life. In private-property cultures, true sharing exists only in the nuclear family -- I call it our "aboriginal core." I lived in a northeastern Canadian Native community for a several years, and the feeling of being included in a great family was wonderful. Unfortunately, it is the very worst, the most greedy, pushy and indelicate, who choose to invade another peoples' home.

[@craftyplayss]

It’s sad when he refers too handshakes of “Western Culture” when in reality the Navajo IS THE ORIGINAL western culture. This was a very informative video. Thanks

[@clecticmaniac5207]

i think he just meant the way its viewed and gone about. its more abrasive then what navajos do, as he says gripping the hand isnt very nice. it was just to show that you are not hiding anything and are willing to share good energy with someone you meet.

[@starchild9425]

Thankyou for your teachings of your people I am greatful. I am interested in the symbol of the hand, And it's teachings to your people. All my relations. Thankyou.

[@MuadDab]

Osage here but this man reminds me so much of our straight-speaking elders

[@janinegarverick5894]

Thats like the Free Mason Hand Shake they grip with the right then use the left overlay

[@iblendallday]

When I really look at someone that tries to mess with me they stop whatever they think their doing right away alot of people told me I can see through them before I thought they be joking

[@frobrainblogs8138]

same. people tell me the same thing

[@gcnewd]

Thank you. Questions: i understand if it is disrespectful to look someone in the eye of someone you have respect for. But is it ok to stare someone in the eyes if they are the enemy or just someone you do not want to show respect?

[@Tejah]

❤

[@BabyJag14]

Dear Sir, Hello. my name is Melissa. I am a nurse. I am possibly taking a summer position at the hospital at Fort Defiance in Arizona next summer. I am trying to learn to speak and understand some of your language. I am also interested in becoming familiar with the proper customs and etiquette of your people so as not to offend and take the best care possible making them feel comfortable. can you help in some way? I would be in debt to you. thank you

[@gcnewd]

He is helping. He put out a ton of videos. Just watch them

[@janinegarverick5894]

Go to the ❤ Heart

[@KA-jm2cz]

Kiitos. Mielenkintoisia juttuja sinulla.

[@not1fromyourworld]

I was 6 weeks old when my Cherokee mother left me with my white father , she never came back i was raised by whites but always known who i was and who i belong to , im 52 now ,she is dead , i never seen her but 3 times in my life , the greatest thing she did for me was giving me Cherokee blood ,

[@matthewthomas2581]

Thank you wado. Donadagohvi ❤️🙏

[@genuinesterling-yp6fx]

👍✊✌️🗽🙏💯

[@cyndih4720]

That's very interesting about eye contact. I was raised to see it as rude to talk with someone without making eye contact or not looking at someone when they're talking with you. Or someone who doesn't make eye contact is insecure or has something to hide or something negative. It's very interesting how people are different and the reasoning behind the different customs. I hope I have never offended a native American person!

[@iunnox666]

By the same token that a traditional Dine wouldn't appreciate a handshake, people who shake hands don't appreciate a loose grip. It shows a lack of respect and confidence.(EDIT: eye contact as well.) How would gripping the hand offend a Dine?

[@janinegarverick5894]

then there's the grip with the finger underneath unbelievable

[@savantianprince]

I'm not native to american but adopted chinese from taiwan

[@DeWoodyard]

As pro-Western civ as I am, I grew up in NM on the AZ border, and draw a lot wisdom from the non-Western indigenous cultures. How many fewer sress-induced illnesses would we experience by considering that wisdom?

[@janinegarverick5894]

The Evil Eye

[@janinegarverick5894]

Accept if you stare down the animal in the eye they will back off

[@rebeccalankford2652]

Secret society

[@jordanblackbird7223]

Don't play with fire or you will shit the bed

[@stratocaster1greg]

Im white but have some Cherokee blood from my Moms side. Im proud of that. I do like folks to look me in the eye and give a good handshake. If they dont I dont trust them. I sure appreciate you Sir. And I am listening intently to your words.

[@janinegarverick5894]

then there's the Asian Claw

[@ashenvendetta7083]

i do 95% of what this guy says naturally every day. Sam Hyde is the same as this man

[@staciwashington3212]

It's happening because of smoking. Help.

[@GettinJiggyWithGenghis]

At minute 5:30 you say that the dine are changing the way they express their respect due to outside influence. You made it sound like the respect was still there, just expressed differently, and if that’s the case, would you say that that difference is a bad thing?

[@clecticmaniac5207]

i think he just means its sad to see old ways die. If someone did something for years and years and it meant a lot to you. and one day they stop doing it, its almost like having to mourn someone. The world view is very different.its not bad in a sens that its gonna kill you. But, for native people its bad because we are trying to conserve what is left of our old ways. For you it may not be a big deal but those who care or their traditions want to keep it alive, they want to keep it going. Its what they feel they should know and do, they feel bad that they cant do what their ancestors did and continue on with tradition. thats what he means by its bad, it make him feel bad that its a dying tradition, he feels bad that such an old tradition that is simple yet meaningful is dying.That is what he means, thats what he thinks is bad. bad doesnt have just one meaning, it could be more that just destructive. it can be disheartening, hurtful, or even sad. but thats the way he expressed it with what english he was given to express to those who only understand english. so dont be harsh on him, he is trying to explain the best way possible. in navajo it makes more sense, but we all dont speak navajo, we speak mostly english. so we cant fully understand those teachings without that original language.dont be harsh on him or anyone for that matter. Think about what he could mean, its not all at face value. stop and think about it, dont jump to conclusions just because you dont understand. just think about why he might say its bad. A lot of our native teaching is this way, its not all at face value. but when you figure it out, it all makes sense. you get that aha moment. so dont be too harsh on anyone giving teaching. take what works for you and move on, maybe one day youll use it, it could be useful to you maybe. we all dont know, and thats why we are here, to figure as much as we can out. so have an understanding with other world views, not just native world view. but others as well, hear them out. dont shut them down because you dont understand, its ok not to understand right then and there. theres no shame in that, just keep it in mind so that maybe one day youll see what they mean.

[@demspunkdamerica3rdbananar207]

The MOST emotive body part of the person are the eyes. So sad Navaho got this wrong. The eyes are the window to the soul. ~~Bible Verse Yet, Navajo don't want eye contact?! Sorry, but....I can read a person's mind when I look into their eyes.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

Amazing. It feels disrespectful when people do not look me in the eyes when interacting with me. Yes, I'm white. I wish we could interact without making one another feel uncomfortable. 🙁

[@doccrowley3367]

use your context cues

[@namedrop721]

Body language is something a lot of people could stand to learn. It requires listening to others as much as yourself. Nobody is ever entirely comfortable speaking another language. I’ve been mistaken for timid more times than I can count because of lack of eye contact.

[@bigosoatx]

I respect and admire your teachings. But I cant help to think a small portion of the old ways are just plain silly. No direspect intended. Just my opinion.

[@nelsonmedina9096]

Sorry 😐 too disagree he said when the Spanish people Came in from Mexico the Spanish people didn’t came just from Mexico and secondly the land was not divided and the people we were one , yes different tribes but indigenous all and how would they call them black people when the Spanish where white from Europe?? Don’t get it!!

[@MrDickharder]

I like make people uncomfortable)

[@jamesaritchie1]

To not look someone directly in the eyes when speaking to them is cowardly, subservient, and womanly. It is for shy girls and children. It is also foolish and dangerous.

[@clecticmaniac5207]

whats wrong with being womanly? are you calling the woman who birthed you a coward and subservient? watch how you address others, if you dont have anything good to say then leave it alone. he isnt here for you to go and spat off nonsense, hes sharing our world view as dine'e people.hes not here to follow a guy off the internets opinion on the matter. he stands for what he believes in, so you spatting off negativity seems cowardly to me.being womanly is not wrong either, they play a big role. without women, we wouldnt exist, we wouldnt know what not to do, we would know how to respect each other. there is nothing wrong with being a woman, stop being prejudice, it only brings harm to yourself. at least keep your disrespect to yourself