1.) Clayton Long, 65, at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. 2.) Tiana Sam, 16, Miss Blue Mountain Unity Princess 2017-18, photographed at San Juan High School on October 3, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. "It's important to me to save our culture and language because I'm full Navajo. Its important to pass it on to the next generation," says Sam. 3.) Marion Sequaptewa, 16, holds her great grandfather's ceremonial basket, as she is photographed at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. "My Grandpa always tells me I'm not a true Navajo if I don't speak the language," she says. "It's important to me because other tribes are forgetting their language. I don't want my tribe to forget ours." 4.) Demarian Benally, 14, photographed at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. Banally says, "It is important to me to save Navajo language and protect our tradition. Our culture will be stronger and others will be able to learn it." 5.) Syiera Tsosie, 14, at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. "I grew up with Navajo. My mom taught me like her mother did. Navajo is passed down. Today many families are losing their traditional ways." 6.) Charlotta Lacy, a teacher at San Juan High School is photographed on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. 7.) Claramae Armajo, 14, photographed at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. "My great grandmother used to speak to me in Navajo. I'm very thankful that she and my grandma taught me." 8.) Esperanzo Lee, 16, holds her Navajo flute, as she is photographed at San Juan High School on October 2, 2018 in Blanding, Utah. "It's a good thing to keep our culture and language alive. It's something we need to keep going for our youth. It brings happiness to our elders that we can share and show our culture is still here," says Lee.
History
Appomattox, Virginia /
NOLA /
I traveled to New Orleans with my fiance and fellow photographer Stephanie Strasburg for a little vacation in October. These are some of the images from our travels.
Juneteenth Festival /
Michael E. Crutcher Sr., of Nicholasville, KY., portrays Frederick Douglass as part of the Martin R. Delany Juneteenth Festival, an event commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, at Market Square, Downtown on Saturday afternoon, June 18, 2016.
Indigenous PeopleS' Day /
Vanessa German of Homewood, center, joins a march celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in Oakland on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015.
Rhianna Powell, 23, of the South Side, holds a sign during the rally at the statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park.
Johnny Creed Coe, a Native American and traditional sun dancer, burns sage during the rally at the statue.
Johnny Creed Coe burns sage.
Jayne May-Stim, 19, of Greenfield reacts to a speaker at a rally for Indigenous Peoples Day at the statue of Christopher Columbus in Schenley Park on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. The rally called attention to "Indigenous Peoples' Day," a day many mark to honor the culture and history of Indigenous people rather than Columbus.