When Mamma Ain't Happy

Driving on a remote northern AZ highway, I spotted sheds of scrap lumber nailed together that shape jewelry “stores” operated by Navajo women.

Curious, and wanting pictures, I stopped. The windy, sunny but chilly day had me grabbing my jacket on the way out of my RV. I approached the open side of this lean-to and was greeted by Leona, the un-grandmotherly grandmother proprietor.

The brisk breeze whipping through the porous sides of this electricity-free shed made it cold. She said her matches were wet so she couldn’t light her little heater. I gave her my 3-hands-needed fire-stick, laughing with her about its non-Native American nature. With that gesture to warm our relationship, we began talking.

Leona is one of 8 children. She and her husband had 8, but her husband and 1 son died in a motorcycle accident years ago, so she raised the kids by herself, with help from her family. All of her kids graduated from college and sound pretty non-stereotypical normal. She has 15 grandchildren and 10 great, and she looks to be about 60. I didn’t ask.

She has sold jewelry for years, bringing her young kids here to help/play so she could watch them. This place is out in the middle of nowhere. A shanty, with tree trunk “studs” holding up scrap sheets of plywood and a corrugated steel roof. No electricity, no doors, no security cameras or guards. Her grandchildren skillfully painted the sides with Indian figures.

I shared a little of what I did and we got talking about homelessness in the Native American community. Family tends to be the “system” that fills in when needed. She said her son broke his leg about 3 years ago and couldn’t work. They had just bought a house with payments of $1400 a month. Everyone kicked in money to help—a benefit of a big family. He’s back at work—a good job as a mechanic.

Driving away I couldn’t help but think of the mothers I know, living in abject poverty, some crushed, some amazingly able to survive. Their children’s ability to thrive varies, relying not just on mom’s help, but the support systems available to them and opportunities that come their way. Despite advantages, life off the reservation has endemic challenges that have grown as our global economy has expanded, then stumbled.

Nay-sayers ready to decry a woman having 8 children or chastise mothers who struggle to provide necessities for their children, get over it. These realities are unalterable for women in those circumstances. What can be changed—for better or worse—is the future. If we don’t ensure access to housing, health care, income support, education, nutrition, and other essentials for families and others, we will see more deterioration in our communities.

Feeling more than a tad peeved at the Senate this week after they passed the amendment containing the restricted definition of homelessness, we’re turning to the House, hoping to encourage support for HR 29, the Homeless Children and Youth Act. We’re fighting for the right to emergency shelter and services for families and teens, especially in non-urban areas.

Seems to me we’re going backwards. Maybe Leona can franchise her operation. Or mothers across the land can rise up in revolt. When Mamma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy….

photos by the author