Aug 3, 2021
How a 6-Year-Old Navajo Boy Learned to Save the World
From a journey with his dad to graze the family sheep
It was early May 1940. Already, it was getting too hot for the sheep.
Fred was only six years old when his dad took him to the high plateau of the Navajo Reservation, like every year since he’d been a toddler.
But this year was going to be different.
The two of them set out early in the morning. It took four days to arrive at the plateau. This year, dad had Fred do all the work for the journey because he was learning how to herd sheep.
Fred learned quickly …
- How to set up a pen for the sheep using fallen tree branches they collected on their journey.
- How to watch them for clues by observing their moods and when they became nervous.
- How to watch the wild animals for clues for what was safe to eat.
- Where to get food and water.
- How to set snares to catch small animals and to clean, prepare and cook them.
- How and when to start a campfire.
- When to start the nighttime fire and how to keep it from going out in case of rain.
- How to set up temporary shelters from the rain and wind.
“Fred, you have to learn all this at a younger age than my dad or me. A lot earlier.”
“Why, dad?”
“Strangers are coming to the reservation and taking our children away. They are taking our children to faraway schools. A lot of the children are not coming home.”
“What are the schools for, dad?”
“They want to turn us into people like them. If they change us into them, the world will end. Our way is to keep the balance and harmony of the world. Each day will be a new day. The world will continue. Like it always has. Our people are responsible for making sure life will continue.”
Early the following day, dad said his goodbye after the Morning Prayers and Ceremony.
“Remember Fred, pray and do the ceremonies every day. I will come back to get you. You will help save the world.”
Ten years ago, I met Fred for the first time. He is almost ninety years old.
I am happy he saved the world.
