Food Run Report - Oljato 8/21/13

by John Aldrich

Food runs for the fall season started last week with visits to Oljato and Navajo Mountain. The remainder of the fall runs will commence in a month. We met in Mexican Hat on Tuesday for our initial orientation and food run ceremony. It was a hot day in the upper nineties, but a little cloud cover did help as we sat outside for the ceremony. Our ceremony theme for the fall is symbols. Everyone chose a symbol that meant something important to them and discussed it briefly. As you might imagine there was quite a variety of thoughts offered.

On Wednesday we awoke to a pretty sunrise and were blessed that the cloud cover persisted throughout most of the day. This kept the edge off of what would otherwise have been an even hotter day.

As we met on the patio overlook volunteers received specific instructions about the job assignments as well as other logistical information about the food runs.

We posed for the group picture at the same location before starting out for Oljato. Our group was a little smaller this time at 22, but there were still plenty of people to get the various jobs done.

We greatly missed Wendy on this trip, but she had to stay home after her home was nearly destroyed by a wildfire just prior to the food run. C.J. and other experienced volunteers helped to fill the void, but there is really no substitute for Wendy.

When we arrived at the senior center the box crew went to work unloading Dru's trailer. We've been fortunate to have Dru and Leslie join us for the recent food runs to Oljato. Their spacious trailer can carry all the food boxes and produce for this location as well as many of the gift boxes.

When the work was done the Rainbow Circle was a beautiful sight.

Inside, the biggest job was arranging all of the Program giveaways on tables at the front of the room. This group includes Teresa and Mary who were on their first food run. Stryder, who came from New York State with her grandfather, was on her second food run at age 12.

Pam was another volunteer on her first food run and was excited to meet her Grandma, Bessie Black.

When the food run program got underway, Linda honored our coordinator, Bessie Holiday. Bessie does a wonderful job serving her Elders as the director of the senior center.

Mary Robertson Begay again made the trip from her home in Hardrock to serve as our translator.

And here, Mary shows the Elders the gift that each of them will receive, a new blanket donated by American Express. American Express generously supports both the Oljato and Navajo Mountain food runs.

Then it was time for everyone to smile as the duet of Joe and Leslie led us in a round of Happy Birthday to honor the oldest Elders. Whether they were chosen for their voices or their good looks, they did a fine job.

During the giveaways we have a peek into Ruth Blackmountain's gift bag and see a portion of the things she has received.

After the meal it's time to start loading the food and gift boxes into the Elders' vehicles.

As they come outside many of the Elders like to look for their boxes.

While some of the volunteers pause for some shopping.

The youngest attendee of the food run appears angelic in cradleboard and swaddling. Many family members bring their Elders to the food run and we thank them for their effort.

Food Run Report - Oljato 3/27/13

by John Aldrich

Our first food runs of the year took place last week with our visits to Oljato and Navajo Mountain. Oljato is often a windy place, and with lots of sand to blow about, it can sometimes be a challenge to be outdoors there. Last year, though, we had perfect weather, and the same held true this year. Let's hope this is a trend that will continue.

The day prior to the food run we met at the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat in the late afternoon. It's a happy time of rejoining old friends and meeting new ones.

The temperature was ideal, and it was a pleasure to once more be in this setting overlooking the San Juan River.

Following a brief orientation, we had our food run ceremony. The theme for the spring season is the Eagle and each participant had a chance to share something about this majestic bird that holds so much significance to Native Americans.

Also at the ceremony Linda continued the recent tradition of honoring special volunteers with the gift of an ANE Pendleton blanket. Julie and Jeff Williams who have been an important part of the Program for 23 years were recipients of this honor.

Sheila McKinney and Dick Aldrich were also honored.

The following morning, food run day, we gathered again on the patio of the motel for specific instructions about the upcoming event. This is our eleventh year of taking food and giveaways to the Elders at Oljato.

There was a chill in the air at this point, but it warmed up rapidly to a most pleasant 70 degrees later in the morning.

There isn't enough room in the parking lot of the motel to line up our vehicles for smudging, so we drive a short distance toward Monument Valley and pull over along the roadside to accomplish this ritual.

Then, it's on to the Oljato Senior Center where we pause for a group photo before going about setting up for the food run.

There were 31 volunteers, most of whom were veterans of prior food runs. But we were pleased to have two couples from the Salt Lake area and a couple from the Netherlands as our new volunteers. Overall this was a most congenial group, and it was a pleasure to work together. There were more than enough hands to accomplish the necessary tasks, so no one felt over burdened.

The official "greeters" at the door were Fientje Allis, Virginia Aldrich, and Tineke Pols. Tineke, a cousin of Fientje's, came with her husband, Piet, from Holland.

The outside work of setting up the Rainbow Circle of food boxes and giveaways was carried out efficiently by an ample amount of male muscle power. Since the boxes are heavy, about 35 pounds apiece, it's nice to have plenty of help.

When the formal portion of the food run program got underway, Linda honored our local coordinator, Bessie Holiday, who has helped us at Oljato since our first visit there in April of 2003.

Watching intently were several of the Elders.

The Elders are always impressed when people travel from abroad to visit them. During the volunteer introductions, Piet and Tineke received a very warm welcome.

The food runs to Oljato and Navajo Mountain are the only locations we visit that are in the Utah portion of the Navajo Reservation. We receive generous support from American Express for these two runs. Each of the female Elders received a gift box containing fabric and other useful household items.

When it was time for giveaways from the Elders, Ruth Holiday honored new volunteers Tiffiny Gregory and Melyssa Holbrook with necklaces.

Most of the food and giveaways we take to the reservation represents direct support, things they can use immediately in their daily lives. But another important giveaway is yarn. Navajo weavers have traditionally supported their families through the output of their looms. We try to keep this tradition alive.

Bessie Black chooses from among the variety of color schemes that are offered to all of the weavers.

When all the giveaways are complete, both from the Program and individual volunteers, each Elder has quite a collection of items. Tom Atene sits here with his portion.

For the meal at Oljato we had Navajo tacos. Edith Tahe usually supervises the food preparation and typically has several people helping her. This time she only had the help of one other person. She was embarrassed with this piece of dough for fry bread because of the hole.

Nancy Greenwood and Sheila McKinney each received a rug from Betty Blackwater. Sheila is Betty's sponsor.

When the meal is over, we start loading the Elders' vehicles. This overview shows the Senior Center with volunteers carrying boxes to one of the trucks.

John Holiday is one of the older Elders at Oljato and is quite well known as a medicine man and person of local importance. Wendy bids him farewell as the food run comes to a conclusion.

We then had the remainder of the afternoon to do as we pleased before finding our way to Kayenta where we spend the night before moving on to Navajo Mountain.

Food Run Report - Oljato 8/22/2012

by John Aldrich

It's hard to resist starting a blog about this food run without including a picture of the beautiful area we stay on the first night. This picture, taken from the patio of the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat, shows the San Juan River and the bridge crossing it which takes us to the Navajo Reservation.

The river forms the northern border of much of the reservation and is sacred to the Dine' people.

On our arrival the temperature was 95 degrees, and those veterans of the food run a year ago were having thoughts of the very hot day we had at Oljato at that time. Fortunately a cloud cover moved over, so when we sat outside for the ceremony it seemed more agreeable.

The next morning was cool and pleasant with the temperature forecast to be a bit cooler than the previous day. There was great optimism in the air as we met on the patio for organizational instructions.

There were thirty volunteers in our group, five of whom had never been on a food run. We were pleased to welcome back two couples, the Hunters and the Hodges, who had been on food runs previously but not for several years.

The drive to Oljato is memorable for everyone as we pass through Monument Valley. But reservation roads require a degree of caution since livestock can appear at any time and anywhere. As we approached our destination we had to stop for a herd of sheep and goats.

Naturally, the best forage is right along the roadside where water collects after it rains.

The first order of business at Oljato was to pause for the group photo.

Joining us were Mary Robertson-Begay who drove over from Hardrock to help with translating, and Stephanie Benally, daughter of one of our favorite ANE people, Beverly Benally.

Dru Drury and his wife, Leslie, once again were part of this food run. Dru has a large trailer and was able to carry many of the Rainbow Boxes for Oljato. This made Ed Keane's life much simpler. Ed is one of the unsung heroes at ANE and does a remarkable job at every food run figuring out how all the boxes are going to get to the reservation. For a small food run like this where there is no big truck, this logistical challenge can be quite a headache.

We always anticipate seeing the Elders. A few were already there when we arrived, but most came later. Sheila McKinney was one of the "greeters" and helps Zettie Smith into the Senior Center.

As the Rainbow Circle progressed outside, the box crew paused for their picture.

As the Elders arrive many are excited to see friends they may not have seen since the previous food run. Libby Chee, on the left, turned 102 last month and is very happy to see Rose Cly.

Volunteers at the warehouse in Salt Lake City worked for months preparing the Program giveaways. Wendy Sanborn, ANE assistant director, pauses for a photo with some of the volunteers who helped arrange these gifts for display.

This photo also shows three of the five volunteers who were new to food runs. Daniela Mussolino, in the pink ANE tee shirt, journeyed all the way from Adelaide, Australia. To her left are  Markie and Kailea Campbell from Ogden.

Elders pull out their finest dress and jewelry for food runs. Nellie Grandson wore a beautiful array of turquoise.

Nellie was accompanied by a number of family members, and there are actually four generations represented in the following photograph. The great grandchildren were adorable.

Over the past several years Linda has invited interested Elders to share their story with us. They receive a list of questions about their past, and from their responses Wendy Sanborn creates a beautiful story about that Elder's life. There is also an incentive of prize money for the best stories.

Lutie Cly was one of the prize winners at Oljato.

After the main program is over there is a meal at each food run. Edith Tahe has been in charge of preparing the food for the past several years, and we are grateful for her dedicated work.

After the meal, Elders' vehicles get loaded and everyone heads home. This view shows the scene outside as the loading was in progress. The photo also provides a hint of the great natural beauty in this area of the reservation.

Food Run Report - Oljato 3/28/12

by John Aldrich

As the first food run of the year, the event at Oljato is keenly anticipated. Those of us who relish these trips to the Land haven't had an opportunity to go since the previous October. This, combined with the inherent beauty of the places we visit, made this initial food run for 2012 a very popular event. We had a total of 35 volunteers this time, easily the largest group to ever attend this particular food run.

The routine to meet in Mexican Hat at the San Juan Inn the afternoon before heading to Oljato was unchanged from previous years. The following morning, after a hearty breakfast at the Olde Bridge Restaurant, we met on the patio for instructions and job assignments. We were blessed with another perfect day - sunshine, moderate temperatures, and, best of all, no wind.

Here Linda and Boyd Mitchell listen as C.J. Robb explains the logistics of the convoy to Oljato.

Later, volunteers review a printed sheet of instructions.

When we arrive at the food run location in Oljato, the Senior Center, everyone takes a moment for the group picture before getting to work at their assigned tasks.

At many food runs men can be in short supply for the outside work - unloading all the food boxes, gift boxes, and produce. This time there were plenty of muscles so no one individually had to overexert themselves.

The final result is the neatly arranged Rainbow Circle.

While the Rainbow Circle is being arranged outside, the program giveaways are being set up inside. This is part of the group working with Wendy Sanborn, ANE assistant director, at this task.

And here's a portion of the colorful display they created.

Elders are arriving throughout the time these preparations are going on. Here is Linda escorting Zettie Smith into the Senior Center.

 The period during which all this set up is taking place also provides an opportunity for volunteers to  spend time with Elders. Here Sheila McKinney visits with Ruth Holiday.

Once the food run program is underway, various presentations are made. Here Fientje Allis presents a food certificate to Jessie Bedonie.

Another presentation is a gift of yarn and warp to all the weavers. Here are several of the 8 or 9 Oljato weavers who received this gift.

Dru and Leslie Drury are long-time supporters of ANE who were attending their first food run. They had been sponsors of an Elder who recently passed away. On this food run they had the opportunity to meet their new Elder, John Holiday.

The last thing to happen is getting Elders' vehicles loaded. This photo shows three first-time volunteers, Levi Lambson, Bill Wikle, and Don Lambson with Meta Atene.

A majority of Elders attending food runs are accompanied by younger family members - children and grandchildren. Family support for their Elders is a Navajo cultural tradition. We close with a parting shot of three generations heading to their vehicle after another successful food run.