Embracing the Future While Honoring Tradition When the sun starts to set, a traditional Navajo wedding begins. Dominion Energy Customer Projects Designer, Olivia Chee, set out just before sunset on her wedding night this past July. Cloaked in a rug dress--the customary garment worn by some Navajo brides—she allowed her relatives to lead her to the house where the ceremony would take place. Since the sun had not fully set as Olivia stepped outside to begin the journey, she had to cover her head. By tradition, the bride and the sun cannot see each other before the ceremony. Once she arrived at the Hogan–a structure that was originally made of mud and trees–where the wedding would take place, the ancient rhythms of the Navajo ceremony began. First her father blessed the Hogan in all four directions: east, south, west, and north. Then her uncle led a prayer. After that, what Olivia describes as the best part began. From a pottery wedding vase, she poured water onto her husband’s hands and then he poured water on her hands. Next, her uncle blessed a wedding basket filled with corn meal by adding ground corn to it. Olivia and her groom ate from the basket and then gave to other members of the wedding party to also eat. Once the ceremony had ended, the feasting began, which included an “earth cake.” Unlike the frosted, tiered cakes many of us see at weddings, the Navajo earth cake is made of ground corn with molasses and brown sugar for sweetness. The family members making the cake place it in a hole dug in the ground and then build a fire on top of it. It bakes within the earth. Olivia’s cake was separated into corn husks to make it easier for everyone to get an individual portion.
Olivia’s husband, Andrew Martin, is of Scottish descent, and he wore the traditional kilt and attire of his heritage, but he honored his entry into a Native family by wearing moccasins and a turquoise broach. He also followed the Navajo custom where the groom presents the bride’s family with gifts, although he jokingly gave Olivia’s uncle a toy saddle instead of the real saddle he had requested. Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) means a lot to Olivia. Her family and clans have celebrated it as long as she can remember. As a child she remembers
taking part in dances, dress-up gatherings, and other special events in recognition of NAHM. Employees like Olivia help Dominion Energy grow stronger. We’re proud she works with us, and we celebrate Native American Heritage Month along with her.
