Uncategorized – Darrah Blackwater

Creede Mountain Run

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for the Creede Mountian Run. I knew the stats: 22 miles, 4,000 feet of elevation gain. I trained as well as I could on the hills near my home in New Mexico. And it paid off. I had a great time and spent a fewContinue reading “Creede Mountain Run”

A Day in the Life…While Indigenous

This past Saturday was so much fun, albeit hot and exhausting. I am training for a race in Colorado this weekend, and it was a beautiful morning for hill training. I had breakfast with some of the San Juan Jazz Society, went to my Nalí’s (grandpa’s) 85th birthday party, and met some friends at anContinue reading “A Day in the Life…While Indigenous”

SWAIA Fashion Show 2021

This fashion show was such an honor to take part in. Parts of if were very stressful, but overall, I loved the experience. All of the designers and models were Indigenous, and we created beauty.

Healing While Indigenous

TW: This post discusses thoughts of suicide. My emotional dam broke earlier this year and I almost drowned in my grief. It’s not something I planned on dealing with in 2021, or ever, if I could help it. All through the winter and spring I was choosing to be happy in a relationship with aContinue reading “Healing While Indigenous”

For the Allies

A note to the reader: this post mentions thoughts and feelings of suicide. If you experience thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help. There is so much goodness left on Earth for us all, and we want you to stay. Immediate help is available via the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. If you’veContinue reading “For the Allies”

Love, Strength, Hózhó

Religious institutions have done catastrophic harm to Indigenous peoples over the centuries. The stated mission of government boarding schools was to “civilize” Indigenous children by eradicating Native culture and religion. This genocide was sponsored by the United States government, and carried out by religious institutions, in the name of Jesus. This was done by dividingContinue reading “Love, Strength, Hózhó”

The Earth Turned Upside Down

This spring I began working with a new therapist as I waded through the deepest depression I’ve experienced to date. When my therapist, Joan, asked about the possible sources of some harmful beliefs I held, I talked to her about my former relationship with Angela, my high school youth minister. This was nothing new. YearsContinue reading “The Earth Turned Upside Down”

Healing While Indigenous, an Introduction

Yá’át’ééh. Shí éí Darrah Johannes Blackwater yinishyé. Béésh Bich’ahii nishłį́ dóó Tsi’naajinii bashishchiin áádóó Béésh Bich’ahii dashicheii áádóó Táchii’nii dashinalí. I am born for the Metal Hat clan. I am born of the Black Streak Wood clan. My maternal grandfather’s clan is Metal Hat. My paternal grandfather’s clan is Red Running to Water. This isContinue reading “Healing While Indigenous, an Introduction”