Navajo speaker brings message of hope to reservation

TULE RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION — Healing the body, mind and soul takes more than traditional medicine, it takes involving “the universe and all of nature.”

That was part of the message delivered Monday by inspirational speaker, musician and dancer Tony Redhouse.

Redhouse, and Emmy-nominated Navajo recording artist, captured the attention of the small crowd gathered at the Tule River Reservation gymnasium with his serious but rhythmic message.

Resplendent in full Navajo regalia, including colorful eagle feathers, Redhouse spoke in a rich voice as he encouraged his audience to never take no for an answer, even if they are the ones saying no.

“The oldest form of human expression is the voice, drums and the flute,” Redhouse said. “I talk about the importance of bringing it all together, going inside to your inner self until you reach your center and can see your path clearly.”

He told his audience drugs was not the way, nor alcohol, both of which were part of his past. So was hepatitis C, which he overcame without returning to any of his “old vices,” he said.

Part of his life is spent working with drug addicts in Tuscon, Ariz., where he lives. Redhouse spoke from the heart and experience when he told his listeners they don’t have to accept a mediocre life.

“Let no one tell you what you can’t do, that you’re not good enough,” he said.

With the skill of a master storyteller he danced, sang and played more than 15 instruments, including those that reverberated with the sounds of nature, while he wove his inspirational message between the fabric and fibers of life as he sees it. He stitched the fabric with personal humor that kept the audience balanced and smiling throughout his serious message.

He danced the dance of the hoops, hoops that represent the balance all can achieve in life; he danced the horse tail dance in honor of the service, including transportation, horses have provided for centuries; and most beautifully, he performed the graceful and elegant eagle dance to convey his message of strength and healing and independence.

An eagle’s nest, he told his audience, does not have six or seven grown eagles unwilling to leave the nest. They take the plunge outside the nest in order to soar higher and higher.

“We should learn from the eagle,” Redhouse said. “Don’t be afraid to leave the nest and take the risk of freedom and independence.”

Zona Franco, coordinator of the event, said she brought her friend to the reservation to bring about awareness to healing of the body, mind and spirit.

“We need that more than ever now, especially at this time — with the way the world is now,” Franco said. “I wanted to show him and his good works to the community,”

Redhouse’s inspirational and “spiritual” healing was not the only offering at the event. Central California Family Services, represented by Sonni Rubio, was present, as was Dr. Tom Honka with a new computerized method of healing pain.

Healing, in all its components, was the theme of the day. Honka had the opportunity to use the new Pro Adjuster on several of the guests.

Tule River firefighter Zane Santos was first. His neck was tight and is back hurt a little. When he first sat down with Honka, he had a little pain and stiffness in his neck. Three to five minutes under the computerized adjustment and the stiffness improved by about 20 percent. Santos said the laser felt good.

Honka said the machine is part of the future of chiropractic medicine.

“This machine is amazing,” he said. “The body likes 12 cycles per second, but the best chiropractor can only do four cycles per second. I can help heal carpal tunnel, heel spurs, ankles, neck, you name it.”

Rubio, too, talked about healing — the fare of the day. “Staying healthy for you,” not just others, is what she advocates.

While the different alternatives for healing were present and effective, the afternoon belonged to Redhouse. Guests dined on a catered sandwich lunch while he assured them they could overcome the challenges in their lives — no matter what they may be.

Art and Luisa McDarment were among the guests. Before the show, Luisa McDarment said the show would be an experience for her because she’d not seen one like it.

During the show, she participated when Redhouse asked for volunteers to come forward with the courage of children. Children haven’t yet been told what they can’t do, and they have no embarrassment about trying new things.

The 15 volunteers, including one child, were each handed an instrument and given about 20 seconds of instructions. In the end, Redhouse told a story about a traveler, and each volunteer, including McDarment, played his or her instrument on cue.

As he predicted, when people work together without fear, beautiful things can happen.

Luisa McDarment was all smiles during and after the show.

“It was beautiful, just gorgeous,” she said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Jeff Cozad, a teacher in the Burton School District, was present and impressed, he said.

“I like what he’s doing, getting all the people involved,” Cozad said. “And the eagle dance I like a lot. The Navajo are the ones who created it — the way he did it is very Navajo.

“The dancing, the regalia, the flute and drums — the music, dance and storytelling, the way he brings it all together is really good.”

-- Contact Anita Stackhouse-Hite at 784-5000, Ext. 1043, or astackhouse-hite@portervillerecorder.com.