Weaving a Future by Abby Olson

How do we measure knowledge? Is it by a test score, a degree, or the amount of scientific names one can memorize?

I would argue none of the above, because some of the most important knowledge cannot be taught in a classroom, or evaluated in such a way. During our front country travels across the Colorado Plateau, we met and stayed with several locals who demonstrated a special kind of knowledge—a knowledge of place.

One of these locals was a lively woman named Effie, and her soft-spoken daughter, Albina. Upon hopping out of the van, we were greeted with a big smile from Effie and lots of suspicious glances from her sheep. They live a short, but bumpy, ride from the entrance and visitor center of Monument Valley Tribal Park. Here, giant sections of rock seem to rise from the sand, creating towering buttes. This stunning landscape drew in Hollywood filmmakers who saw it as the perfect setting for a western. Later, Effie even pointed out a cave behind her house where a movie was filmed.

Today, it’s tourists who flock to the area. Effie and her daughter, Albina, both work with a tour guide company who drive safari buses of visitors right through their property. Before passing through, tourists stop to learn more about Navajo history and culture from Effie and Albina inside a hogan—a traditional Navajo home and ceremonial space. Between tour groups, we manage to slip in.

Inside, we are met by an array of colorful rugs hung for display, each with intricate designs. With practiced precision, Albina brushes and twists a tuft of wool into yarn as she explains the hard work and time that goes into weaving an entire rug.

It all begins with shearing the sheep, but sheep don’t come in a rainbow of colors. Their wool is thoroughly washed and then dyed using plants from the area. Sadly, as Albina explains, many of these plants are getting harder and harder to find. Plants that used to grow right in their yard have disappeared or moved to high altitudes. Albina noticed the disturbance that the constant flow of tour buses caused on the soil and the warming weather that may have driven these plants away.

This attentiveness and knowledge of place is incredibly important as our world has become more globally interconnected and reliant on technology. Our world rug has quickly been woven into a very complicated one, but it is still unfinished. It can be easy to get distracted from the communities—both ecological and social—that directly surround us. Our guest speakers and hosts are great inspirations for getting involved and invested in our local communities. Weaving a future takes lots of hands, and I am excited to add my touch.