For this design, I was inspired by our Southern Sacred mountain, Tsoodził. I found inspiration while reflecting on what it means to return home, especially as we emerge from a pandemic that has been tough on our feelings of kinship and community. I stepped back and created a design that reflects the strength of coming home and finding the motivation to move forward again.

Of course we as Diné have our culture, history, and language to keep our lives in continued harmony, even during difficult times. Not too long ago, the Treaty of 1868 allowed our people to return home after our forced internment far away in Easten New Mexico. After gaining our freedom and sovereignty, my ancestors made the journey back home and we continue to share the stories of their overwhelming experience. Tsoodził was the first major landmark that welcomed our people back to Diné Bikéyah, our cultural homeland, and today the mountain continues to be a marker of our homecoming.

I created this design as a way to plan and think about the future. Restoring harmony in our thoughts and relationships will take time and it all begins with planning and self-motivation. Nahat'á, a term in our cultural ideology, describes the process of preparation and finding the motivation to move forward. Returning home and developing oneself can be found in Tsoodził and I wanted to capture the serene beauty and strength of this experience.

• Graphic printed on light blue shirt
• Each order comes with a postcard sharing more of Navajo culture, designed by a Native American artist
• 100% Cotton, Machine Washable
• Made in the USA (Shirt is sewn and printed domestically)