Roy Kady - one of the Navajo Nation's best-known male weavers

THE NAVAJO NATION is a land under siege. More than half the population lives below the federal poverty line. Both the overall population and the workforce are shrinking as young people in particular leave the reservation, resulting in an increase in economic instability and a decline in traditional ways of life.

Especially troubling is the deterioration of the sheep industry, which is vital to both the Navajos' economic future and their spiritual well-being.

Heifer International has joined in an ambitious project to improvethe quality of commercial wool and lambs produced by Navajo sheep farmers. Heifer is the primary supplier of rams that are being used to improve the genetic diversity of the herd.

"Heifer International has been just a wonderful partner wanting to help from day one," said Bob Racicot, an environmental and agricultural resource consultant and member of the Dinéh Bi Ranchers Roundtable and Development Inc.

The roundtable initiated the ram exchange partnership with Heifer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development program approved a matching grant to cover program costs, including veterinarians, a coordinator and a program technician. One hundred families in 10 communities in Arizona and New Mexico each received a top-quality ram in fall 2002.

Most Navajo families rely on sheep for income and for wool to preserve the spiritual practice of weaving. After years of continuous over-grazing, however, much of the Navajo land has eroded and couldn't continue to support a sheep industry of sufficient size.

Constant in-breeding has reduced the quality and number of mature sheep and goats. Fewer than 550,000 head now exist, and as a result, in the last 15 years Navajo wool production has decreased to one-third its former volume.

Because Navajos depend on weaving for income, it's critical that economic returns per animal be increased. RanchRoundtable and Development Inc. was organized in 1991 by a group of Navajo families relocated from Hopi territory to a planned community in Arizona called New Lands.

The group works to educate Navajo ranching families in conservation and development of their agricultural and natural resources while maintaining tradition and culture. The group has held monthly educational meetings, participated in training and created a marketing association.

In addition to the 100 ram exchange families, 10 members of the Future Farmers of America from Valley High School in Chambers, Ariz., have received one ewe each. At least three other FFA groups from other Navajo Nation schools will become involved through the Heifer principle of Passing on the Gift.

The FFA-Heifer element of the exchange program will provide youths the opportunity to follow in the traditions of their parents.

Mike Everett, Heifer Southwest field coordinator, said, "Heifer Southwest believes that in the future we will see youth from Heifer International projects become political leaders in the Nation as well as leaders by example. They will show how the Nation can regain some of its pride and honor.

" I think many of this generation feel they have missed a lot by not following the traditions and practices of their ancestors," Everett said. "I hear them say, 'My grandpa did this in the fields.' Now those fields are full of weeds. Hopefully, the youth will bring those green pastures back along with their traditions."

Shannon Scott, a 16-year-old FFA member, appreciates the opportunity to participate in the project. "The Navajo are different from others. We offer our seat, our food, our home. But as a community we must gain each other's trust. If we cannot trust, how can we work together?

"Through this Heifer International project I have learned to trust and work beside others," she said. "I have also received my first sheep ever. I know it will remain in my life because now my motivation has turned to agriculture and livestock like my grandfather."

Ranchers Roundtable and Heifer International hope to see the value of livestock and the quality of wool increase by 50 to 55 percent within the first three years of the program.

About 750,000 pounds of wool, or one-fourth of the total annual production on the reservation, are woven by men and women into rugs and blankets. With proper education and top-quality wool, a profitable market can be developed and the Navajo tradition of weaving can once again take its place of honor in the culture.

Roy Kady, one of the Navajo Nation's best-known male weavers, lives far from the Ranchers Roundtable but remains close to its objectives. Kady understands, firsthand, the importance of quality sheep to weave a product of which he can be proud. He is a member of the Dinéh bi' iina' group (Sheep Is Life) and has dedicated his own life to the beloved Churro sheep, as well as to the tradition and spiritual art of weaving.

"Everything I know I learned from my mother&emdash;my history, my identity. Many of our youth do not want to sit down with the elderly, and once away, the more difficult it becomes to relate back to your culture," Kady said. "In our lives, sheep have been the most important. Herding sheep provides you with the opportunity to learn about the earth &emdash;rocks, land formations, plant life."

"I saw straightaway that Heifer International is different from other organizations," Kady added. "When I observed how they work and their philosophy, my eyes grew bigger.

"Perhaps through their efforts and our own communities we can benefit once again and the next generation will have the cultural life I was given as a child," he said. "Maybe we can learn technical training with our ancient cultures through Heifer International."

As early as 1976, several current members of the Ranchers Roundtable had been forced to move from their birthplace. Many of the Navajo resettled in the New Lands, and today they hope this new community will bring new life to their people.

"In 1974, Congress decided our county belonged to the Hopi," said Gloria Todachinnie, a Heifer- Ranchers Roundtable coordinator. "We were forced to move; we had no choice.

"What drives me today with my volunteer work is the tragic fact that my people were forced to leave their birth land," she said. "In Navajo tradition, our umbilical cord is buried in our livestock pen, and that is where you remain until your death. Many tears were shed; there were so many memories, which we still feel and always will.

"It has been difficult to tell our people to keep moving forward with all the tragedies they have faced," she said. "Yet we understand it does not take an educated person but one with a big heart to help. It is all about dedication. Heifer International and the Ranchers Roundtable have brought us all together."

Wanda Begody, a Heifer recipient, understood at an early age that she would dedicate her life to raising sheep. As a little girl, she dreamed of going to school, but her parents said that taking care of sheep would serve her well. Begody raised her animals the best she could, but eventually noticed a decrease of both www.heifer.org World Ark Winter 2003 37 size and quality.

Many of her ewes had trouble breeding, and their offspring were weak and small. Since joining the ram exchange program, she has been trained and now understands the dangers of inbreeding.

"I enjoy this program and have learned so much," Begody said. "Before the ram exchange, I did not know about the production of sheep. But in one year we have taken some of our stock in for replacement, I have exchanged feeders, learned to vaccinate and given our sheep the proper care they deserve."

Before joining the exchange program, Begody felt fortunate if any of her ewes gave birth to one lamb. Much has changed since she entered the program.

"When my favorite ewe gave birth to triplets, it was the happiest time for me and proof of all my hard work," she said. "I first thanked the gods, then the ram, and then Heifer International who provided us with the gift. To receive both numbers and quality has made it all worthwhile."

Rigoberto Delgado, Heifer Southwest director, shares Begody's sentiments.

"Some of our recipients cry when their ram arrives, and claim it is the best gift they have received in their life," Delgado said. "These families are very independent and like to do things their own way, and Heifer understands because of mutual respect. We only ask that the recipients understand and incorporate our training."

"My view is that Heifer International has saved us," Gloria Todachinnie said. "Our people want quality and good production, and it happened only because of the ram exchange. … Heifer International communicates with our people even in our own language."

Ray Castillo, an Agriculture Department extension agent, said, "Our people want to preserve our culture, which we are losing at a rapid rate. Our land is being taken over by residential areas and so we must find a way to preserve our resources.

"Livestock is the lifeline of our people and brings harmony to families, keeping them together," he said. "Our biggest resource today will be our youth. If you look into the eyes of our children, you will see there is so much hope to preserve our Navajo culture.

"Today, with the help of Heifer International, this is being restored. Together, we hope to change the path of our people and bring back the tradition of livestock and agriculture to the Navajo Nation."

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Darcy Kiefel is a Heifer International photojournalist based in Boulder, Colo.