The final song, at dawn of the last day when the Yeis (represented by the dancers) take leave, is the bluebird Chant. It is the song, the moment, that all the people who have come to see the ceremony and participate in its blessing have waited for. Corn pollen is thrown upon the dancers as they leave singing this Bluebird Chant which expresses the blessing and joy of harmony and health restored, the Joy of Life.

We remember too what Talking God told us–that when we should see bluebirds or other songbirds that we would know he was near.

This is called Blessing Way. It was given by Talking God at the place of emergence into this world. At this new beginning the Yeis took their leave and told us that we would not see them any more. The songbirds remind us of their presence.

Dr. Ethelou Yazzie, author of Navajo History, was the Director of the Rough Rock School Board, Demonstration School and Navajo Curriculum Center, Chinle, Arizona, when she delivered this paper at the fourth International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences in 1975. It was published by the International Cultural Foundation Press (New York, 1975) in Volume II of the proceedings of that conference. Reprinted by permission.