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Friday, October 08, 2021
By Aspen Emmett McCarthy, Mountain Roots Media, Durango
Every morning, Julian's mother meticulously braids his hair for him, and every night at bedtime she speaks to him about Ute tradition, strength and courage, with the hope today's society will be respectful of his long hair.
In Native tradition, hair is sacred.
"Many tribes cut their hair while grieving the death of an immediate family member or to signify a traumatic event or major life change. Cutting the hair at these times represents the time spent with the deceased loved one and it's ending: it can also represent a new beginning."
Julian's traditional regalia is for the Men's Grass Dance.
"Several stories about the beginnings of the grass dance are told. One tells of the grass dance coming from the movements of the early scouts seeking a site. The grass being high in new areas, the scouts would dance in a special way to flatten the grass and make it acceptable for new camp or meeting site. The grass dance movements reflect warrior movements such as stalking the game or enemy. The grass dance is also said to reflect the need for balance in life."