Audre Etsitty, a dedicated Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, is embarking on a remarkable journey to revitalize and share the deep-rooted traditions of Navajo horsemanship. With a lifelong passion for horses, Etsitty aims to integrate the unique cultural perspectives of the Diné people into the broader field of equine education. Her initiative seeks to empower the Navajo horse community by offering comprehensive knowledge that honors both ancestral wisdom and contemporary practices.
Etsitty’s upbringing on the Navajo Reservation instilled in her a profound appreciation for horses, viewing them as more than just animals; they are teachers, companions, and integral to the community’s agricultural heritage. Growing up in a family deeply involved in farming, rodeo, and livestock, she was immersed in the world of horses from a young age, participating in rodeos since she was nine years old. This early exposure, combined with her grandfather and uncles’ expertise in calf roping, cemented her lifelong connection to these majestic creatures.
Her academic pursuits led her to Colorado State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in equine science. A pivotal moment occurred during a colt training class, where she discovered her true calling. The comprehensive curriculum, encompassing equine behavior, training, the human-horse relationship, and sales preparation, solidified her ambition to establish a horse-related business. The successful sale of a yearling colt she trained at the prestigious Legends of Ranching Sale served as a significant validation of her skills and dedication.
Now an accomplished horsemanship consultant, Etsitty dedicates her career to equine education, offering workshops, camps, and presentations that delve into various aspects of horsemanship, primarily within the Western discipline. Her expertise covers essential topics such as grooming, riding aids, conformation, nutrition, behavior, photography for sales, vaccinations, deworming, and tack fitting.
However, Etsitty keenly observes a gap in contemporary equine education: the underrepresentation of Indigenous perspectives. She emphasizes that while horses hold a sacred status within Navajo culture, this profound connection is not adequately reflected in current equine facilitated learning and horsemanship programs. Etsitty believes that incorporating traditional teachings offers a more holistic understanding of horsemanship, encompassing the interconnectedness of the horse with its environment, traditional medicines, songs, and prayers. This interdisciplinary approach, characteristic of Native American culture, fosters a deeper, more relational understanding of the horse’s significance.
As a 2024 Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, Etsitty is poised to address this need by bringing culturally relevant equine education to the Navajo community. Her overarching professional ambition is to establish an equine-facilitated learning nonprofit on the reservation. This organization would provide the Navajo horse community with comprehensive training that harmonizes traditional Diné perspectives with Western horsemanship principles.
Etsitty’s role as a riding instructor at the Song of the Horse Camp exemplifies her commitment to merging these two ways of knowing. Here, she educates participants on the cultural significance of horses from the Diné viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of living in balance with the Earth and all its inhabitants. She believes that by imparting traditional teachings, children can better understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining symbiotic relationships with the natural world.
During her Luce Fellowship, Etsitty plans to deepen her own understanding of Navajo emergence stories, songs, and prayers related to horses. She views this fellowship as an invaluable opportunity to learn directly from her clan elders and absorb traditional teachings in a culturally appropriate manner. Kelsey Dayle John, an assistant professor and equine researcher at the University of Arizona, highlights Etsitty’s unique position, noting that “At present, there are very few individuals who are doing this work on the Navajo Nation.” Etsitty’s commitment to preserving and transmitting this knowledge across generations is crucial for the community’s cultural heritage.
Upon completion of her fellowship, Etsitty will host a series of workshops for the Navajo community, sharing her enhanced knowledge of Indigenous horsemanship. These sessions will cover topics such as grazing management, training techniques, the creation stories of horses, safety, and handling.
To illustrate the profound differences between traditional and Western perspectives, Etsitty uses the concept of conformation. While the Western view focuses on a horse’s physical structure, the Diné belief attributes the creation of horses to deities, with horses possessing the power to call forth rain. This spiritual connection underscores the Navajo people’s responsibility to care for horses in a manner that ensures the well-being of their homeland. Etsitty recounts a humorous anecdote from her college days when she realized the disparity between Western academic knowledge and traditional Diné wisdom. Learning about horses’ night vision, a fact she had already known from her grandparents’ stories about horses’ star-given eyes, highlighted the need to bridge this educational divide.
Horsemanship is a family tradition for Etsitty. She, her husband, and their three children share a passion for horses, participating in rodeos across Native reservations. Etsitty, a seasoned barrel racer and breakaway roper, also benefited from the 2022 Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship, which provided mentorship from world champion roper Lari D. Guy. While her older children enjoy riding, it is her youngest daughter who mirrors her intense passion for horses and rodeo. Etsitty and her husband eagerly anticipate the possibility of nurturing another rodeo enthusiast within their family.
Etsitty’s connection with horses has also been a source of profound personal healing. Following the loss of her grandmother, who played a significant role in her upbringing, Etsitty found herself in a deep state of grief. Recalling the peace and happiness she experienced while training a horse, she sought solace by purchasing a horse named “Big.” This horse, with its substantial personality despite its size, provided the emotional support Etsitty needed to navigate through her darkest times, stating, “He rescued me.” Through her work and fellowship, Etsitty continues to honor this powerful bond, ensuring that the rich traditions of Navajo horsemanship are preserved and passed on for generations to come.
