Sam Begay, 62, Arizona, Navajo Nation
Phil Borges

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Sam, a plumber by trade, is one of about 140 medicine men in the Navajo Nation. Sam learned from his grandfather from the time he was 4 or 5 years old. He says he approaches earth, sun and plant spirits to bring balance when he does his ceremonies. He said much of the power of the herb comes from its relationship to the medicine man that makes the offering and ceremony. He went on to say rain ceremonies are done with only two or three medicine men because ‘people break taboos to easily now days’.