Peshlakai shares culture at mall’s Heritage Fest<br>

“There was a sharing of knowledge, a trading of goods, that went on at that time. There were horseback racing, wrestling matches, foot races—guys splitting arrows at 50 yards, 500 yards,” Peshlakai explained. “When I visit my Apache relatives, hey, the Apaches always cleaned up at these events. And when I visit my Hopi relatives, it was always the Hopi that won everything. And of course, here at Navajo, it was us Navajo that took everything.”

The crowd responded with laughter.

“But the Hualapai and Supai, they always had the best buckskin,” Peshlakai said, moving into an introduction of the Hualapai bird dancers who had come to share their culture as well.

Sylvia Querta is a woman dedicated to the preservation of Hualapai ways, including the bird dances that she leads.

The movements of the dance, Querta said, mimic the movement of birds. When her ancestors worked out away from the village, or went out to meditate and pray, the songs of birds would mingle with their own songs.

“Our families are very close,” Querta said. “We can’t see it any other way.”

She shared a song with the crowd, explaining that it was a prayer.

“We are taught that when we pray, we are not to ask anything from the Creator, but we are to thank him for what he has given us.”

She then joined her daughter, Kasana Querta, and her niece, Tina Querta (the daughter of Lorrain Jackson), to perform several bird dances, one being a basket dance.

The Young Diné Nation singers also joined Peshlakai, their songs leading other dancers through their paces.

While the dancing and drumming continued, passersby studied the arts and crafts of many different vendors and had the opportunity to taste different foods, including Navajo tacos and kettle corn.

Peshlakai took time to thank the many sponsors who made the event possible, including the Flagstaff Mall, 93.9 KAFF Radio, Yard RV and Campers and Flagstaff Cinder Sales, who provided the cinders for the dance arena.

“If any of you have any need of cinders, you are welcome to come afterwards and help clean these up.”

Deadpan, Peshlakai delivered his usual dry humor.

“They don’t want them back.”

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