A Diné Adzaan on Dia de los Muertos by Chyenne Klemme

Today I am celebrating my ancestors with my sacred breath. 

I woke to the rising sun and spoke my blessings and prayers into the morning air as my legs ran to the east.

I thank Diyin Dine’é, Nahimá nahasdzáán, ‘Asdzą́ą́ Náádleełi, nanisé, tó, dóó naadlooshii dine’é while the first rays of light gently cover the mountains to the north.

I will celebrate by remembering them next to me as I walk in beauty.

I will celebrate them by being gentle to myself, as they were to me, as they are to me.

On the altar, I will place letters of love and graciousness. 

I will put flowers for your namesake. 

I will place the water we are made of.

I will place the food that nourishes us with medicine.

I will place tádídíín and mountain tobacco to smell and taste the memory of you.

Yá’át’ééh. Chyenne (she/they) is from the border town of Page, Arizona. She is an artist by heart and specializes in ceramics and dance. They are currently an undergraduate at Prescott College and have recently been accepted into the accelerated masters Interdisciplinary Program at Prescott College. She is a part of a small performing arts group called Ser Arte and was taught theater arts through a participatory action research (PAR) lens. She is passionate about Indigenous farming practices, the land back movement, and creating safe, educational spaces through rehumanizing and culturally responsive pedagogy. She can be found at @chyenneklemme.