For my grandparents Joseph and Ida Lasky who dared to go west far west beyond Ellis Island K L. I dedicate my contribution to this book to my father Johnson Yazzie and my mother Patty R. Yazzie with gratitude for instilling in me talent and courage The artistic bloodline of my father's clan made me visible in the eyes of the creator and of his clan The passion I feel when creating flows in me like the water in a mountain stream My mother's courage and resiliency provided the shield I use for being a spirited warrior of strength It is what made this art project possible My parents would say Na'ach'aahigg ei iiyisii boholiih meaning art is important Art is my way of life a gift from my parents J Y
MY NAME IS YOSSEL This is me telling a funny chicken joke to my best friend Moishe
And then this is me saying goodbye to Moishe
We are going to America because the leader of Russia the tsar is sending his soldiers to hurt Jewish people Mama and Papa have been talking about leaving for a long time Now they are certain we must go No one asks me what I think
