Diné Bizaad
Grandma and Grandpa’s Christmas Errand
Amásání dóó Acheii Késhmish Yiniiyé Deezh’ááh
About the Artist
Mary-Kate Harrison
At a very young age I was diagnosed with autism. I grew up viewing the world in a very special way but it did not stop me from growing my passion in being an artist.
Navajo by Peter Thomas
Amásání dóó Acheii Késhmish Yiniiyé Deezh’ááh.
Amasání dóó acheii nidiit’ááh késhmish yiniiyé hasht’e’ ádidoolnííl nizingo. Kintahdi naalyéhé bá hooghangóó doo’ash nizin, ch’iiyaan ał’ąą’ ádaat’é bił da’doodį́į́ł biniiyé deezh’áázh. Bitsóíké nidilt’é ákǫ́ǫ́ siké, ashkii yázhí áyóo ha’ídées’į́į́’ nááná at’ééyázhí ayóo áká’análwo’, háágóshį́į́ ‘íists’ą́ą́’ bikáá’ adání yichʼįʼ dasikéego.
Grandma and Grandpa woke up with a plan for their Christmas preparations. They needed to go to town for ingredients for a warm holiday dinner. Their two grandkids—a curious boy and a helpful girl—listened from the table.
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“Áłtsé yiską́ągo índa,” ní amásání bił hózhǫ́ǫgo. Acheii t’óó áádę́ę́ʼ déez’į́į́’, “Yiską́ągo t’óó ahojíyíi dooleeł, dóó łahgóó naalyéhé báhooghan da’deeskaal dooleeł. Níléí ąhni’iiníłídi deeshááł nisin nít’ę́ę́ dííjį́.”
“Let’s wait until tomorrow,” Grandma said cheerfully. Grandpa, frowned. “Tomorrow will be crowded, and most stores will be closed. And I wanted to stop by the trading post today.”
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“Yiską́ągo shideezhí kintahdi naagháa dooleeł,” amásání ánáádí’ní. “Késhmish daadą́, bił ádadiilnííł.”
Acheii t’óó adił haadzol. “Shą́ą́ hanii t’óó naalyéhé t’éí biniiyé nih.”
“Dííjį́ dóó yiską́ągo ákǫ́ǫ́ tádii’táazh nidi bíighah,” ní amásání t’óó dlodilchíigo.
“My sister will be in town tomorrow,” Grandma added. “We could meet her for a Christmas lunch.”
Grandpa, sighed. “I thought we were just getting supplies…”
“We can always go today and tomorrow,” Grandma teased.
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Acheii dééh sizíílígo yidlą́ągo sidá, dibé da’dooyį́įljį yaa nitsékees. Amásání baa níyá. Áłchíní t’óó bi néł’į́ hazhóó’ígo yidlohgo, yaa’ákonizin t’áadoo bił hane’í.
T’áábí yaa’ákoniizį́į́’ késhmish doo ts’ídá bá naht’áa da, bił haghanii bąąh silá, ákoznízin, dóó áadoo áłts’íísígo haz’ánígi bee iłhózhǫ́.
Grandpa sat with warm Navajo Tea, thinking about feeding the sheep. Grandma joined him. The children watched them smile softly, understanding without words.
Together, they learned that Christmas isn’t about perfect plans, but about family, patience, and finding joy in each simple moment.
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"Every month, I bring you a story in Diné Bizaad. Take time to read & speak Navajo — it's how we keep it strong."