Paiute Mountain Tribe day 2

One point of these trips was to try and capture the importances of each tribe, some it was political land disputes or other natural resource disputes. Near Navajo mountain it was all about water, who gets it and how much. But the people were also incredibly beautiful and very gracious to allow us on their land. May showed us around to some pretty awesome native sites that aren't normally accessible by just anybody.

A well for mostly livestock.

Human bones and pottery. There was literally pottery everywhere, but we couldn't take any because it was not kosher. Even for Natives, they leave all artifacts where they find them. A lot of times you'd see a little pile of pottery where others have found artifacts.

Basket weaving at home

This mother makes baskets in her spare time, her sons and husband gather the willow and they dye the fibers themselves. The baskets are gorgeous.

 May holds the back end of a baby's cradle board that was found on Norris's land. Her grandfather told her of two babies were buried near by. This is the remittance of their burials.

Suspected burial cave where the babies were. In ancient Navajo/Paiute culture they bury their dead in caves like this and cover the doorway with a stones and twigs to keep animals out. Then when it's time nature takes it all back, that's how the cradle board ended up where it did.

My professor Kevin Schley and Norris, and the smartest dog ever. I can't remember his name though.

JULIE!!!! My hippie pal.

So many shards of pottery.

 Playing in the ruins

Norris took us to some ruins

The color is so intense this blog site can't handle it.

Hogan

Inside the hogan

This land will always hold a special place for me. I'm so entranced by all of it.

Portraits of the elders

Rick and his antique frankencamera.

Mary. Sweet lady! She gave us all one of her cedar berry necklaces. I wear mine often and always have a good day when I do.

Sisters Laura and May