Gentle Giant, Scholar and Earth Defender Larry Emerson Passes to Spirit World
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Our friend Larry Emerson, Dineh, gentle giant, farmer, scholar and Earth Defender passed to the Spirit World. John Redhouse, Dineh, said in tribute to Larry Emerson, "Larry was our Navajo National Treasure. We have indeed lost a great man—intellectually, spiritually culturally, in every way. With his loss, our lives in this world, Fourth World, will never be the same."
Six years ago, Larry sent this wish list to Censored News. Larry, always ahead of his time, urged the Navajo Nation to adopt the Rights of the Natural World.
Among his wishes were headlines that he would like to see, including this one: "Navajo Nation adopts democratic measures to include rights of the Natural World. Opening clause reads: 'We, the People and the Natural World…'
"Navajo communities agreed that ancient Indigenous knowledge regarding harmony, beauty, happiness, peace and balance were the real imperatives that sustain a healthy democracy." -- Larry Emerson, 2011.
Shiprock Memorial to be held on Oct. 8, 2017
Larry Waldo Emerson, age 70, passed away August 19, 2017, at his home
at Tse Daa Kaan, New Mexico. He was Tse’nahabil nii doo To’ ‘needlinii, He was
born on July 19, 1947 at Rehoboth, New Mexico. Larry was a scholar and social
activist concerned with language revitalization, environmental issues,
decolonization, and healing with Diné traditions. Larry completed his
undergraduate work at Fort Lewis College and the University of New
Mexico and earned a PhD from San Diego State University. As a veteran
he had been based at Seoul, Korea.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Waldo and Grace Martin
Emerson and his sisters Patsy W. Emerson and Carol Ann Weahkee. He is
survived by his son, Marc Aaron Emerson; his sisters, Gloria J.
Emerson and Elayne G. Lowe and husband, Art Lowe; Larry's nieces and
nephews Laurie Ann Shirakawa, Sonny Weahkee, Bryan Banyacya, and Sean
Lowe; and many beloved aunts, cousins, grandchildren, and great
grandchildren.
Dr. Larry Emerson lectured widely at institutions of higher learning
in California, Oklahoma, Illinois, and New Mexico and held seminars at
his farm at Tse Daa Kaan. At the time of his death Emerson was
collaborating with Diné College faculty member Herbert Benally on
topics related to Navajo philosophy and healing. He also collaborated
with many other scholars, youth groups, and community action groups
for wellness.
(Published in Navajo Times)
Shiprock Memorial Oct. 8, 2017
THE FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES OF THE LATE DR. LARRY EMERSON WILL BE HAVING A MEMORIAL EVENT IN HIS HONOR ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 08, 2017 FROM 9AM TO 2PM AT THE SHIPROCK CHAPTER HOUSE. WE ARE INVITING FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF LARRY TO COME CELEBRATE LARRY’S LIFE, TO SHARE STORIES, SONGS AND MUSIC. TO COMPLETE OUR CELEBRATION WE WILL HAVE A POTLUCK DINNER, YOU ARE WELCOMED TO BRING FOOD TO SHARE. EMAIL JANENE YAZZIE AT Janene.y@sixth-world.com OR CHILI YAZZIE AT chili_yazzie@hotmail.com FOR QUESTIONS.
So sorry to hear of the passing of my friend Larry Emerson. He leaves a gentle footprint on the world. -- Brenda Norrell, Censored News
Larry Emerson, always ahead of his time, wrote this wish list in 2011, which included his wish list that the Navajo Nation adopt the Rights of the Natural World, and set new principles for self-governance, healing and transformation
By Larry W. Emerson
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Dine' farmer and scholar Larry W. Emerson shares his wishlist for 2011 with Censored News. "It is a wishful thinking - and I hope thought provoking - article regarding five Indian news headlines I'd like to read in 2011," Emerson said. He is a farmer, artist, activist, and scholar.
Five Navajo Times headlines I'd like to read in 2011
By Larry W. Emerson
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Dine' farmer and scholar Larry W. Emerson shares his wishlist for 2011 with Censored News. "It is a wishful thinking - and I hope thought provoking - article regarding five Indian news headlines I'd like to read in 2011," Emerson said. He is a farmer, artist, activist, and scholar.
Five Navajo Times headlines I'd like to read in 2011
1. Navajo Nation Council sets new principles for self-governance: healing, decolonization, transformation and mobilization. Leaders agreed that the days of blind-faith assimilation and modern world seductions regarding power, greed, control, conquest and egotism were the true evils of colonialized Navajo self governance. In a related action, leaders agreed to restore the sacred circle and to reject the unhealthy political hierarchy copied from western politicians and bureaucrats.
2. Navajo Nation adopts democratic measures to include rights of the Natural World. Opening clause reads: “We, the People and the Natural World…” Navajo communities agreed that ancient Indigenous knowledge regarding harmony, beauty, happiness, peace and balance were the real imperatives that sustain a healthy democracy.
3. Navajo Nation adopts principles of hozho and k’é as the truest measures of family, clan and community sustainability. The new Navajo leadership declared that colonization was destructive and useless to contemporary Navajo society. The new Council also rejected notions of the American dream if it means more fossil fuel burning, more environmental degradation, more environmental refugees, more water shortages, & more exploitation. ”The ‘Dream’ is really a self-destructive candle burning at both ends and a terrible nightmare,” the leaders declared. “One can squeeze just so much juice from an orange and the Navajo Nation refuses to participate in ecocide of this sort.”
4. Chapter governments agree to collaborate under new districting system. In a historic set of local meetings, the Navajo people elected to begin formal collaboration between communities by restoring and regenerating age-old principles of identity, place, kinship, community, respect and generosity. Chapters also agreed to adopt Navajo principles of decision-making because of the need to be accountable to and respectful of all people and all life forms.
5. Navajo Nation sets new economic priorities to empower informal private sector. Leaders cited this layer of society as the truest expression of Indigenous–style economic thinking. The new Council declared this layer of Navajo society to be the best experts regarding needs to build strong local economies. “They speak the Navajo language and understand how to integrate principles of k’é and economics," one leader was heard to say.
2. Navajo Nation adopts democratic measures to include rights of the Natural World. Opening clause reads: “We, the People and the Natural World…” Navajo communities agreed that ancient Indigenous knowledge regarding harmony, beauty, happiness, peace and balance were the real imperatives that sustain a healthy democracy.
3. Navajo Nation adopts principles of hozho and k’é as the truest measures of family, clan and community sustainability. The new Navajo leadership declared that colonization was destructive and useless to contemporary Navajo society. The new Council also rejected notions of the American dream if it means more fossil fuel burning, more environmental degradation, more environmental refugees, more water shortages, & more exploitation. ”The ‘Dream’ is really a self-destructive candle burning at both ends and a terrible nightmare,” the leaders declared. “One can squeeze just so much juice from an orange and the Navajo Nation refuses to participate in ecocide of this sort.”
4. Chapter governments agree to collaborate under new districting system. In a historic set of local meetings, the Navajo people elected to begin formal collaboration between communities by restoring and regenerating age-old principles of identity, place, kinship, community, respect and generosity. Chapters also agreed to adopt Navajo principles of decision-making because of the need to be accountable to and respectful of all people and all life forms.
5. Navajo Nation sets new economic priorities to empower informal private sector. Leaders cited this layer of society as the truest expression of Indigenous–style economic thinking. The new Council declared this layer of Navajo society to be the best experts regarding needs to build strong local economies. “They speak the Navajo language and understand how to integrate principles of k’é and economics," one leader was heard to say.
So sorry to hear of the passing of my friend Larry Emerson. He leaves a gentle footprint on the world. -- Brenda Norrell, Censored News
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