The Navajos called him Eenishodi Bitsii Neez "He-Drags-His-Robes-His-Hair-is-Long." The Navajo Old Men trusted and liked Liebler; "he talks same like Navajo man." Through his ministration lives were saved, education was improved, and a relationship between two cultures was established. Because of his deep respect for the Navajo culture he grew his hair long, spoke Navajo, and incorporated their culture into his religious ceremonies. All of this was not without impact on the priest, "If they are sometimes amusing, sometimes exasperating, they never fail to charm and fascinate me, and they ever deepen the love for them that led me to cast my lot with them." In return, the Navajo grew to love and appreciate "the missionary that does some good, not just talks."
St. Christopher’s Mission with the church, school, and health services, became a gathering place for the Navajo people. Social events included Christmas celebrations, movie screenings, and the Mission’s 20th Anniversary Celebration that brought thousands to the mission.
The Navajos showed their thanks through in part through letters and testimonies.
"Friendship" from A River in the Desert
(a 30-minute documentary produced using the archival film and audio from the collection)
160 x 120 version (3.8 MB)
320 x 240 version (8.7 MB)
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| For more information: 435/797-2663; scweb@ngw.lib.usu.edu Special Collections & Archives, Merrill Library, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322-3000 |
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