The way I see it if you give it back it would devastate the girl by making her think you did not like what she did.

I say tell the other teacher to mind her own business or show me the proof of what she says...

Yes Im confused on that. Who has been contacted exactly? You say she lives with a foster family? How are they related to the reservation? Are they Native American also? Who has determined this is Navajo law and who is enforcing it meaning has someone actually approached the school district and said the painting needs to be returned? Is the tribal counsel involved? Then it would carry more weight.

Evidently I have been informed there are no such laws...this is what I was wondering. The co-worker, it seems, was jealous...I can't for the life of me explain it any other way.

The girl also made me a braclet out of silver heart beads...nobody ever requested the braclet was returned. I wouldn't have given THAT up either.

Well all I can say is enjoy your gifts it just means you are very special to her.

Quite frankly I'd tell the woman to kiss my a$$. If the tribal counsel is so concerned they would contact you. She's tryin to play u for stoopid.

I learned something today. Teachers can go on by playing on the fears on other fellow teachers total lack of knowledge about something.

I'm just glad I had the forethought to contacted the school counselor and discuss the issue with her before believing what my co-worker was telling me.

The last day of school this little gal bawled her head off as she got on the school bus to go home. She finished the 8th grade and will be moving onto high school in the fall.

No kidding. That is what it sounds like. My gut instinct tells me she is hoping that you just take her word for it and shes totally making this up in order to have you give back the gifts. Its very strange and makes no sense and I dont understand why exactly other than jealousy. This woman is a counselor? She needs counseling...

No...she's a special education teacher. I have worked with her since she was hired in November. My school admin. is also finding out she isn't all she's been made out to be either.

Gotcha..you went to the counselor. I got the two confused. Its bad bad...I wonder if they will talk to her or she will get in trouble.

The lack of awareness of Native American Cultures is staggering. Rather then taking the time to learn about a culture people often make unsubstantiated claims/remarks.

The Dine' (Navajo) do have some restrictions about where none tribal members may go on their lands. But so do a number of other Native American Tribes. Along with what may or may not be removed. Often these are a result of disrespectful behavior or a lack of awareness of Tribal Beliefs.

The tragedy is that with the internet it isn't that hard to read about the basics of Tribal Customs and Beliefs.

A loving gift made by a child should not be turned into a major issue. Honor the gift Shutterbug it was given in love and admiration.

I don't know, I didn't go to my school admin. about the issue...just the counselor. Pisses me off that SHE would even think to hurt that emtionally fragile child that way to begin with. biotch!!!

If you want to learn more about the Dine' (Navajo) Culture this is their website.

http://navajopeople.org/

I told the girl Friday as she sobbed leaving school how honored I was to receive the painting and braclet. I took photos earlier in the week of a small 'awards ceremony' this 'so-called-teacher' had...a photo was taken of me & this Navajo girl together with my camera, I printed the pictures out for her. She told me she hung them on the wall next to her bed and that she cries every night when she looks at them before going to sleep. With the children I work with, sometimes I never know whether I made a difference or not in their lives. This girl showed and told me many times in the short 2 months she was at the school that I have made a difference in her life.

Thank you Stan!

I remember going to the hopi kachina dances.......

and well.....I suppose you might want to ask someone other than the hopi...about the navajo

Ah,...geez...thanks.

Ain't that the truth. Most people do not realize the the Hopi and the Dine' are still enemies. And that the Hopi are insulted that their "Rez" is surrounded by the Dine' "Rez".

The Hopi are a perfect example of "White ignorance and Native American Culture." The Hopi use to let people take pictures during the Kachina Dances...now they do not. How come? Because people taking pictures started to disrupt the significance of the dance.

Sorry...a bit off topic.

keep the painting as long as you do not sale it no one can do eny thing !