ive read this story over five times and still don't really get the meaning of bia's dream help plzz
RED MESA, Arizona (Achieve3000, July 21, 2007). Although she grew up as a Diné, the term Navajo members use to describe their nation, young Andrethia Bia measured her success according to Western standards. As a child, Bia was raised in a traditional manner and spent most of her time with her late grandmother, Mary Kitseally, helping her with her sheep and watching her weave. Bia's childhood was filled with listening to Diné ideas about life. She grew up speaking Navajo.
During high school, Bia was active in school activities, including athletics and the student council. She even served as student council vice president. At 18, she accepted a scholarship to the College of Eastern Utah in Blanding. Bia went on to study and work in Utah and Arizona, and taught at the Salt River reservation. She continued to surround herself with other members of her community, even as she worked and raised her two sons. Then, a vague uneasiness kept bothering her. She longed to know more about her culture.
"There was a part of me that wasn't right," Bia said. And so she made the difficult decision to return to her homeland. Bia's decision runs counter to U.S. trends, which have seen the population of the Navajo nation decline. Many young people are seeking opportunities elsewhere. If this trend continues, by 2012 about half of the Navajo people will live outside of the Navajo nation.
Bia has since returned to her homeland. She is learning Navajo skills such as weaving. She also began classes at Diné College. She is working toward a degree in elementary education. Diné College is the first college in the country established by Native Americans for Native American education.
One night, Bia dreamed that she hugged her grandmother, then in a nursing home, and talked to her in the Navajo language. Bia shared the dream with her mother and with her weaving teacher. They told her to visit her grandmother and tell the woman about the dream. Bia took their advice. "The reason I came to [you] is because I am waiting for your rug," Bia's grandmother said. The elder woman explained that her journey to the next world would only continue after the rug was completed. Initially, Bia did not want to finish the project. She feared that her grandmother would die once the rug was finished. But a month later, Bia completed the rug. Soon after, Bia's grandmother died.
Thinking back, Bia admits she once felt her Navajo culture held little importance. Now, the best parts of her busy day are the moments she spends with the elders and her children.
"They [elders] want somebody around them to share their [beliefs and ideas] with them," Bia said. "I'm not embarrassed to say I started [learning] last year. You're never too old, and it's never too late."
5 answers
At that point, Bia accepted the Navajo beliefs and embraced her culture.