Kilting Amid the Navajos

**Riverkilt** · 13th September 13, 08:42 PM

So, just back from a four day department conference at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino and Resort east of Flagstaff, AZ. About 200 of us and most of us know each other, but there were new people. About 98% are Navajo and live on the Navajo reservation. I was kilted for three of the four days - wore jeans for the "Activities Day"....course everyone said, "Where's your kilt!?"

Got a new comment - or maybe a well phrased comment. A Navajo lady stopped me and said, "I like the way you're dressed." Another Navajo lady stopped me and said, "Can I get a picture of you? How often do you see a man dressed like that on the rez?"

And today, a Navajo male asked to speak to me in private - so I knew what was coming. He wove his story in the traditional circular Navajo way of storytelling starting with seeing an episode of Orange County Choppers where the cast was kilted and there was discussion about what to wear under the kilt....he was most respectful...and curious....and sorta nervous. When he finished I just said it was up to each individual and most would make that decision based on what was up that day. I told him I'd never come to work without underwear under my kilt....though at the time I answered his question I was most "commando" and comfortable.

The wonderful thing about the Navajo people - is that they are most at ease with traditional dress - for anyone.

For me, figure I sat 8 hours driving down there and driving back and sat at least 24 hours at the conference...the 8 hours driving and the 16 hours kilted were a lot more comfortable than the 8 hours in jeans on activity day.

**Tartan Tess** · 14th September 13, 04:05 AM

What? No pictures??

**Riverkilt** · 14th September 13, 08:29 AM

With the weather only had one indoor picture to show what I was wearing one day...a yawner....

Its my Arizona tartan kilt. Did something a bit different. Navajos enjoy the traditional look so wanted to wear my fancy L&M beaver fur sporran...but there's no space in the sporran to put much. So wore the sporran AND a Scottevest...put the stuff in the vest and the sporran was just decoration...worked. No clue about the grimace.....just the lock of the shutter I guess.