Bert benally

Yá’át’ééh shik’éí dóó shidine’é!  Shí éí Bert Benally yinishyé. Dzil niłtsilí nááshashí nishłį́. Bitááni báshishchįįn. Haníghánii éí dáshíchei. Tóbáhi éí da shí nalí. Ákót’éego diné hosteen nishłį́.  Sweetwater (Tółikáán) déé’ naashá dóó kééhasht’į́. 

I love...music, art and philosophy 

I am experienced in…being a jack of mostly art and music related skills and processes. I have substantial experience in teaching art to kids starting school to college students ready to make their contributions to society.  I would also say I have slightly higher than average experience with spiritually related events and customs. 

I am presently on a small hiatus from studying at Teachers College- Columbia getting my Doctorate EdD in Art Education. My dissertation is focused on creativity from the Diné perspective. My other less formal studies are: learning more about green technology and farming techniques, music styles and techniques which would aid in my live performances, as well as Chinese ink painting and Japanese wood block printing. 

About my being and/or interests/loves: I suppose I would consider myself a seeker of that moment when chaos becomes order and pursuer of the enlightenment that comes during that moment.  My interests are mostly centered on all things related to music and art.  I like reading and learning different philosophies, mostly from cultures that are not from the west. I like working with youth and providing them with a safe place to explore and develop their creative aspirations.  I also like learning more about the Diné culture and traditions, especially ceremonial songs.  What I love is family, my immediate family, extended family and various close friends who are like family.  Just to be around family, eating, enjoying each other’s company, working on projects, going on adventures, and sitting in a hogan during a ceremony together. 

If I could choose to be something different than human for one day, I’d be...an annoying fly, totally oblivious to the stresses of life other than procreating and finding food.  You could travel from place to place by entering vehicles (or even planes), just make sure you avoid the occupants attempts to kill you.  But mostly I think it cool to see the world in a 4-pt perspective where the world looks like you are looking through a fish-eye lens. Everything is in focus.. no blurry background but still having some depth.  Plus, it would be nice to just sample everything at a fancy restaurant as you fly from plate to plate.. 

If I could have dinner with any two people, it’d be….the older brother (Monster slayer) of the hero twins and Quetzalcoatl.  I think the conversation would be epic.  But for “real” people, it probably be my Cheii, since I never met him… I just heard a lot of stories and my great, great, great grandmother who escaped enslavement from Mexicans and came home with two children who were both born for Mexican.  I have lots of questions.