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Finally, Gary told of the deer dance on Christmas day. He got very quiet and thoughtful when telling me this story. "The deer, as well as other animals, are not treated in the same manner as many Caucasian people treat them. The animals are respected for the food they provide for the continuation of human life. This is why we honor them in the special dances. In fact, even before commencing a hunt, the body and mind must be cleansed from any physical or spiritual impurities. We have many ways of doing this, but they are sacred and secret so I can't mention them to you. As far as the hunt itself goes, we try to become one with nature and the animals. We must not go out with killing on our minds, only the thoughts of being part of nature and supplying our families with food for their survival. This ties back in with the reason for the deer dances on Christmas day, giving thanks for what the land provides and hoping that these food supplies will be there for future generations."

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Originally posted by Gatogordo:
Among my many ways of wasting money is collecting Indian jewelry and crafts. I've recently started buying a few more pots on ebay. At any rate, to learn more about the current crop of potters, I bought this book, "Pueblo and Navajo Contemporary Pottery (2004" by Gary Berger and Nancy Schiffer which has a page devoted to Christmas Day at Acoma Pueblo. Part of it, which I found interesting is this description by Gary Lewis from Acoma. It must be remembered that the people of the pueblos have mostly been dirt poor for many years and venison was an important part of their diet.

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Finally, Gary told of the deer dance on Christmas day. He got very quiet and thoughtful when telling me this story. "The deer, as well as other animals, are not treated in the same manner as may Caucasian people treat them. The animals are respected for the food they provide for the continuation of human life. This is why we honor them in the special dances. In fact, even before commencing a hunt, the body and mind must be cleansed from any physical or spiritual impurities. We have many ways of doing this, but they are sacred and secret so I can't mention them to you. As far as the hunt itself goes, we try to become one with nature and the animals. We must not go out with killing on our minds, only the thoughts of being part of nature and supplying our families with food for their survival. This ties back in with the reason for the deer dances on Christmas day, giving thanks for what the land provides and hoping that these food supplies will be there for future generations."

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In Beauty may you walk.
All day long may you walk.
Through the returning seasons may you walk.
On the trail marked with pollen may you walk.
With grasshoppers about your feet may you walk.
With dew about your feet may you walk.

With Beauty may you walk.
With Beauty before you, may you walk.
With Beauty behind you, may you walk.
With Beauty above you, may you walk.
With Beauty below you, may you walk.
With Beauty all around you, may you walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
lively, may you walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of Beauty,
living again, may you walk.
It is finished in Beauty.
It is finished in Beauty.