Our regular readers know that we began a new project at the Zephyr last year–called “Zephyr America.” We’ve been slowly wading through the massive Zephyr archives of historic photos and digitizing them to share with our readers. To keep up with the project on a daily basis, please check out our Facebook page at Facebook.com/ZephyrAmerica.
Our archives contain thousands of photos, including those of Edna Fridley. Edna was blessed with a healthy sense of adventure and a love for the Canyon Country.She befriended many of the area’s most interesting characters, including river runners like Harry Aleson and Ken Sleight. And she took multiple trips through Monument Valley, led by the most skilled and knowledgeable Navajo Guides in the area, the Cly family.
Willie Cly, his wife, and the rest of his family were famed for their skill in guiding visitors through the Valley. John Cly, whom Edna also photographed, was the personal guide for John Wayne while he was filming in the area. Willie, his brother Happy, and the rest of the family had been the subjects of a silent black-and-white documentary filmed in 1950s, called “The Navajo Boy.” Willie’s nephew Jimmy was the “boy” referenced in the title.
Later, the Cly family and others on the Navajo Reservation had a chance to speak about their experiences, and about the impact of nearby Uranium mining, in a 21st Century follow-up to that original documentary, called “The Return of Navajo Boy.”
This particular journey through Monument Valley took place in the summer of 1965…
US 163.
Moccasin Arch
Willie Cly.
Happy Cly, wife of Willie Cly.
Ted Cly.
Two Cly daughters weaving rugs. Photo by Edna Fridley. 1965
Thanks for mentioning the film, The Return of Navajo Boy. Anyone interested can gain more insights into the Navajo experience (and from a Navajo point of view) at http://www.navajoboy.com. The film won several awards at international film festivals and aired on PBS after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival.
This long-term media project includes 15 free webisodes showing how Navajos raise awareness about uranium contamination in their community, including a house made out of uranium and the Skyline mine shown in the film.
Thanks for mentioning the film, The Return of Navajo Boy. Anyone interested can gain more insights into the Navajo experience (and from a Navajo point of view) at http://www.navajoboy.com. The film won several awards at international film festivals and aired on PBS after premiering at the Sundance Film Festival.
This long-term media project includes 15 free webisodes showing how Navajos raise awareness about uranium contamination in their community, including a house made out of uranium and the Skyline mine shown in the film.