County of Navajo issued the following announcement on Nov. 24.
Our apologies concerning a post celebrating the beautiful diversity of our county, more specifically the White Mountain Apache Tribe. We shared some misinformation and would like to make it right. We shared the feathers on the girl’s cane were owl feathers, they are eagle plumes. Owls are considered taboo and messengers of great misfortune. Traditionally they are not to be touched and when seen you pray for protection over yourself and family. Thank you to everyone who helped educate us. We are happy to learn and proud that we can live in a region that we can learn about one another’s cultures and heritage. We have since changed the post to share the correct information.
This #NativeAmericanHeritageDay we want to shine a light on our White Mountain Apache, Navajo, and Hopi tribes. Almost 66 percent of Navajo County’s 9,949 square miles is Indian reservation land, and we’re continually enriched by the rich culture from our proud tribes.
Pictured from our Navajo County History Project Website:
Young Apache girl dressed for Changing Woman Ceremony. The abalone shell tied to her forehead symbolizes the personification of the Changing Woman and will pick up the suns rays at sunrise. She is wearing the puberty necklace and carries a cane with an eagle plumes, bells and ribbons.
Repository Northern Arizona University Cline Library
Call Number NAU.PH.99.3.5.5.63
Item number 52143
Photo from http://archive.library.nau.edu
photo id: 1154
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up