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My Story

I am the granddaughter of the Late Navajo Master Weaver, Grace Henderson Nez. Grandmother was born May 10,1913 north of Kinlichee, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona. She learn to weave from her mother and grandmother at three years old. Her clan is Coyote Pass-Jemez Pueblo. Grace and her siblings were orphaned at an early age and were forced to live with various relatives.  Some of patterns she acquired were Chiefs Blanket, Moki Stripe, Ganado Red, Two Grey Hills, TecNosPos, Wide Ruins and Klagetoh Style designs. She raised Merino sheep into the hundreds, however due to the Livestock Reduction Act, she was foreed to only rise thirty head of sheep. Grace learn how to sheer sheep, clean the fleece, cart, hand spun and vegetal dye wool.

Grace is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Award for 2005.

I am the daughter of Navajo Master Weaver Mary Henderson Begay. Mary is the recipient of the Living Legend Award 2018, Arizona Governors Award. Mary worked for over forty years at Hubbell Trading Post, National Historic Site in Ganado, Arizona. She retired in 2005. Mary was commissioned by the Gloria F. Ross Tapestries for several weavings designed by Kenneth Noland. Mary is also the weaver of the Arizona state flag in recognition of the American Bicentennial, an idea that was brought forth by the Arizona Highways, the flag was flown over the Arizona Capitol on July 1st and the story was featured on CBS Evening News, "On the Road to '76" segment.

With such amazing roots, it is only necessary to continue my family legacy as I am armed with exceptional skills from two of the best instructors, mentors of the Navajo Nation. I am honored to call these two women grandmother and mother. My weavings are still of Navajo patterns however they are more contemporary and sometimes abstract. I tend to challenge the norm and push boundaries yet still remain traditional and spiritually grounded.

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