How Navajo People Get Their 'Indian Name'

[waitsfanatic]

It is a pleasure not only to hear your teachings, but also to hear your Mother tongue. Peace.

[timmccarthy]

I LOVE THIS GUY...He is so has so much wisdom..and a wonderful humor, ...and is so generous in all his sharing....

[chrishartwig]

I have different names from different tribes. My Sioux name that my grandfather gave me is Bear Who Likes to be Gentle. A Navajo elder dubbed me Wanderer Who Seeks. Cherokee elder just called me Nighthawk.

[marionmuolo]

Good man to stand up for his loved ones rather than his job

[janelliot]

The Grandson of Laughing Medicine Man! That's beautiful and it's so fits you, Wally, and your gift for teaching what has been handed up to you from trusted teachers.

[durwinpocha]

You have earned your name. Action is louder than words, it is the language of the great spirit.

[jasonstrange]

Thank you Uncle Wally so much for trying to bring me back down to center. I really appreciate it. And I hope to be able to do something for you.

[bonnieandclyde]

My son was born in a hospital with beautiful pine trees at the window, I looked up and saw a bird so called him Bird in a Tree, as well as his English name, it's a lovely and important way to call people and remember

[wulfseig]

Thank you for you teachings. Blessings to Navajo Nation and all other Indigenous Nations during these trying times.

[baswordfish]

Pendleton blanket, chief Joseph pattern, on the back, love it!

[gotmullets]

My Father ...when I was young and growing up... once told me he was always told by his mother...that you can never call yourself something or basically name yourself.. that you have to wait till others call you something or name you something... and that it's based off what you do, how you are and act, what you say and so on.. similar to what you have said.
He even said that I couldn't just tell someone... I'am a "Great guy"....that I'd have to wait until someone else or in some cases several others have called me a "Great guy"..
I almost feel .. in some sense.. his words are derived or his teachings are derived from his Mother (my Grandmother on his side)..she is said to be a descendant of the Diné people.

My name here is derived from what many people have always referred to me as through my life growing up.. I was always kind of quiet and mild mannered around people I didn't know mostly and also very quiet and respectfully reserved around my elders.. so many friends and family would assume I was a "Shy Boy".. I would be called that all the time.. or referred to as that...then also.. when I was older...in my teens...I was a little wild in everything I would do..whether it was working or if it was something fun.. id seem "savage" in my efforts.. but meaning I did it quickly with extreme seriousness.. and I wasn't afraid of anything at the time.. being a young man..sometimes many of us feel invincible..
One day someone put all that together and had referred to me as "ShyBoy Savage" and others liked that name and so it stuck.

I apologize for the lengthy post.. Thank you for your wonderful wisdom and teachings! I appreciate you very much!

[irenelee]

Ahee hee, shi cheii. I like to add a comment. My Navajo name was given to me by my mother. Also, when I was 8 years old, I still remember some men and women navajo names in our community who are no longer on mother earth. But, these names were given to them by the comunity of what kind of personality, or what kind of work they did.

[tracycalder]

Traditional people make a lot of sense.

[grammyd]

These teachings are wonderful! Thank you so much, for sharing your truth in a world that seems, all are lies and trickery... Deceptions. Please continue as you raise our spirits and bless our lives with your knowledge.

[RichieALevy]

Ya'at'eh. Thank you for this very enlightening story and history of traditional naming. As a retired foreign language teacher, I truly enjoy your relaxed and enjoyable way of imparting your knowldge of the indigenous people of this land!. I wish more Americans were as interested in learning languages as I have been for over 5 decades. Little by little I am learning with you and thanks to other Navajo language videos. Stay safe Mr. Brown!

[ymirist]

My ancestors are Native Americans from South America & they all have spanish names which makes sense because we all live in South America but my family stopped giving "Indian names" so although I don't have one I love hearing others names. I also love to learn about them. (Plus I grew up in a Christian household so I just really want to learn about my roots)

[MEAT_CANNON]

Please never stop sharing your wisdom with us, Wally. ✌

[dougreed]

My wife and our kids 3 got their native names today. I honor You're honesty brother

[bulbhorn]

Very interesting as always. Thank you.

[oveerikstorhaug]

Thank you very much for this teaching dear Wally. The Sami people of
Norway has managed to save their language and thereby their culture. (I
am Norwegian) So please dr Wally whould you please also do these videos
in the native Navajo language? It will be very important for the future
of your culture and life on earth. Times are changing fast now and the
english is (mix of 4 languages) only a rubbish helping language
compared to the native languages . There are many folks now and more to
come to wake up that want to learn these old languages of nature so it
is very important to keep them alive. May God bless you for your nice
teaching.