The knowledge within the Navajo cultural understanding of knowing is the foundation of traits that defines Navajo people. Sharing knowing (knowledge) of a living culture is unique, especially working in archaeology. The anthropology of Navajo people over time has many perspectives for knowledge that scholars and their skilled Navajo informants use to communicate Navajo culture. The subject matter was recorded in written form and became frozen in time. The modern world of the others (non-Navajo) viewed and studied Navajos through many different lenses like politics, beliefs systems, western reason/principles, and European culture. For example, the trading post system introduced capitalism to the Navajo people. Will Tsosie will look at the knowledge of knowing and how it is used to transmit cultural information.“Storytelling” is a living transmission of one’s surroundings and that which defines you in the mix of a shared reality. This presentation examines storytelling and explains what Will calls the “knowledge of knowing” in a literal American culture. Let us do some storytelling (oral tradition, oral narrative, oral history). Jini – (it was said by them). Now, let’s have some fun with storytelling as we enter the start of winter.
