I am the West
Illuminate who and what represents today's West.
I am the West is an effort by High Country News, a publication that has covered the region for more than 50 years, to amplify the stories of intriguing, distinctive Westerners -- beyond the conventional stereotypes and myths.
We believe all Westerners should feel inspired and 7empowered to act on behalf of our people, lands and wildlife.
VIEW THE GALLERY Denae Shanidiin
Artist, future ancestor and narrative change-makerSalt Lake City, Utah / Sanders, Arizona
Russel Albert Daniels/High Country News
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Brook LeVan
Agrarian AlchemistCarbondale, Colorado
Brooke Warren/High Country News
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Sunny DooleyFor 35 years I’ve been a storyteller, but there is no Navajo word for “storyteller.” That’s an imported word. I just grew up always being told reasons why things are the way they are and reasons why we do what we do in the proper manner. I personally was not aware that those were “stories.” A story at its core, at its heart, is healing. When a person is ailing, they step into a story and that is either the blessed way or the unblessed way.
Navajo storyteller
Chil Chil Tah, New Mexico
Cable Hoover/High Country News