Tséyi' / Deep in the Rock: Reflections on Canyon de Chelly (Sun Tracks) [Paperback]

Laura Tohe (Author), Stephen E. Strom (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sun Tracks | Publication Date: November 1, 2005

To visitors it is Canyon de Chelly, a scenic wonder of the Southwest whose vistas reward travelers willing to venture off the beaten track. But to the Diné, it is Tséyi', "the place deep in the rock," a site that many have long called home. Now from deep in the heart of the Diné homeland comes an extraordinary book, a sensitive merging of words and images that reflects the sublime spirit of Canyon de Chelly. Diné poet Laura Tohe draws deeply on her heritage to create lyrical writings that are rooted in the canyon but universal in spirit, while photographer Stephen Strom captures images that reveal the very soul of this ancient place. Tohe’s words take readers on a journey from the canyon rim down sheer sandstone walls to its rich bottomlands; from the memory of Kit Carson’s rifle shots and the forced march of the Navajo people to the longings of modern lovers. Her poems view the land through Diné eyes, blending history, tradition, and personal reflection while remaining grounded in Strom’s delicate yet striking images. These photographs are not typical of most southwestern landscapes. Strom’s eye for the subtleties and mysticism of the canyon creates powerful images that linger in the mind long after the pages are turned, compelling us to look at the earth in new ways. Tséyi' / Deep in the Rock is a unique evocation of Canyon de Chelly and the people whose lives and spirits are connected to it. It is a collaboration that conjures the power of stories and images, inviting us to enter a world of harmony and be touched by its singularly haunting beauty.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura Tohe was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation. She is the co-editor of Sister Nations: Native American Women Writers on Community and the author of No Parole Today, for which she was honored as Writer of the Year for Poetry by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. She is an associate professor in the English Department at Arizona State University. Stephen Strom’s photography is housed in several major archives including the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson and the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College. His photographs appear in Secrets from the Center of the World, coauthored with Joy Harjo and in Sonoita Plain, coauthored with Carl and Jane Bock, both published by the University of Arizona Press. Dr. Strom currently is Associate Director for Science at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816523711
• ISBN-13: 978-0816523719
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,307,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evocative thoughts and images, January 1, 2006

By 

Phil Konstantin "phil_konstantin" (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Tséyi' / Deep in the Rock: Reflections on Canyon de Chelly (Sun Tracks) (Paperback)

This book brings back many memories of my visits to Canyon De Chelly. The poetry and prose are descriptive of the feel of the area and the thoughts and emotions they generate. The photos are very nicely done and arranged.

They both give you a brief glimpse into the grandeur, charm, depth, majesty, sorrow, resiliency and soul of this amazing place and its inhabitants ancient and modern.

After the Grand Canyon, Canyon De Chelly is the place I most often recommend to visitors to Arizona. If you cannot visit Canyon De Chelly, I suggest getting this book. If you have been there, this book would make a great memento.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetry and photographs of a wonderful place, November 20, 2009

By 

Robert C. Ross (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tséyi' / Deep in the Rock: Reflections on Canyon de Chelly (Sun Tracks) (Paperback)

According to NativeWiki, "Laura Tohe is Diné (Navajo). She was born in Fort Defiance, AZ and is Tsenabahilnii (Sleepy Water People clan) and born for the Tódích'íinii (Bitter Water clan). She grew up near the Chuska Mountains on the eastern border of the Navajo Reservation and attended both boarding schools and public schools in Albuquerque."

Her poetry is informed by her experiences in the Native Schools; this poem from her first book No Parole Today reflects her childhood experiences:

Woolworths

Went to Woolworths
down at the corner of Fourth and Central downtown lots of skins hang out there
they call it the Indian Center
the bus stops out in front

Billie and I roamed among
record albums, make-up, hair spray
sprayed out hair platinum blonde
thought we'd get away from straight black hair

you know, the Joe-Babe look

a clerk heard the hissing can and
ordered us to put it back or buy it
she watched with eagle eyes

we ducked out of there
and fled on the first bus back to the Indian School

Tohe describes the book: "Tséyi' is a collaboration of my poetry and photography by award winning photographer/astronomer, Stephen Strom, who invited me to write the poetry. It contains bilingual poetry in Diné (Navajo) language and is one of a handful of books of its kind. While I am a speaker of my native language, I prepped myself to write the text by taking three summers of Navajo literacy courses at Diné College in Tsaile, AZ. I am one of a few indigenous writers who speaks, reads, and writes my native language. Thematically, Tséyi' speaks of the importance of indigenous social, historical, aesthetic, and cultural values rooted within place and language."

Tohe brings her poetic vision to this beautiful book about an extraordinary canyon in Arizona. Stephen E. Strom's photographs enhance her poetry and bring a different perspective to the place. In each case there is a wonderful subtlety to their contributions. Together the two very different artists have created an exceedingly beautiful work.

Robert C. Ross 2009

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Deep in the Rock, January 11, 2009

By 

crs224akameema "B." (upstate NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tséyi' / Deep in the Rock: Reflections on Canyon de Chelly (Sun Tracks) (Paperback)

Enjoyable book to read after just going to Canyon De Chelly - I would have liked to see more pictures with vistas, more content, there were a few too many very closeups, Nice blend of copy and photos.