Collection: Salabye Ribbon Skirts

Helen Salabye is my great-grandmother. Every Sunday morning in Tselani, near Cottonwood, AZ, I would always watch from my grandmother's church. Great Grandma’s head would peek out from behind the hill as she made her way from her home to hear her daughter preach the word of God. Sometimes my younger brothers and I would run out to meet her halfway and walk her in along the Navajo reservation dirt roads.

She lived about 1,500 feet from the church, and a small hill blocked the view of her house. Once we saw her head come out from behind that hill, I knew it was time to go greet her. We’d walk across Indian RTE 251 and make that final stretch to church just in time.

She was very fluent in Navajo but spoke excellent English when talking to me, my brothers, and my mother. My mother, Zandra, seemed like her favorite grandchild out of the Hill family.

Great Grandmother Salabye holds so many valuable and cherished memories in my heart. To this day, I reflect on the things she shared and taught me. I honor this design in her memory.

My great-grandmother was also a very skilled wool rug weaver. She lived into her late 90s, and it felt like she waited to see my mother one last time before she passed.

It’s so special to have known someone so rich in culture and life within my own family. I’m thankful I got to make memories with her and to have heard such a strong and noble voice in my life.