Cultural Reference

The term generally refers to people of Anglo-Saxon descent, especially in the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. However, in the Southwestern parts of the United States, "Anglo" is often used synonymously with "white" to indicate any persons who are not of Native or Hispanic origin. In the context of the history of the Southwest, the term has strong political and colonial connotations, as Anglos--or white Americans--were the most recent arrivals to the region and brought with them a dominant new order, under-girded by Manifest Destiny and the politics of racial and class difference inherent within colonialism, that in many cases severely infringed on the rights, livelihood, and traditions of Native Americans and Hispanic populations who had resided in the area for centuries.

One of the spirit guardian creatures of the Navajo people, Big Snake is a mythological creature associated with sacred sand paintings as well as healing ceremonies. According to some versions of the Navajo creation account, First Man and First Woman, after creating the sacred mountains of Dinétah (the Navajo homeland), sent Big Snake to guard the turquoise of Tsoodzil (Turquoise Mountain), or what is known today as Mount Taylor, located just northeast of present day Grants, NM.

According to the Navajo creation myth, First Man and First Woman created the four sacred mountains surrounding Dinétah, the Navajo homeland. One of these mountains is Tsoodzil, or Turquoise Mountain (what is known today as Mount Taylor), located just northeast of present day Grants, New Mexico. After First Man and First Woman formed this mountain, whose symbolic color is blue, various creatures and plants, such as blue birds and blue corn, were sent to live in it. Spiritual beings in human form, such as Turquoise Boy and Girl, were also sent to reside in the mountain. Turquoise Girl, the daughter of Changing Woman, is associated with guarding the mountain's turquoise as well as with the cultivation of corn. In some songs and legends she may appear as White Shell Girl, and the two figures are often used interchangeably.

In Navajo and Pueblo traditions, as well as many other Native American cultures, the underworld is thought of as the watery, dark realm of creation from which people emerged into the present world. The underworld represents the various levels of existence through which people journey before finally rising onto the surface of the Earth to exist in the world as we know it now. While the underworld is believed to be the place of human origin, it also represents the realm of spirits, gods, or the Holy People, and it is where the dead reside after passing away from this world..

Autocracy is a governing system in which a single person or group retains total ruling power. An autocratic person is someone who assumes absolute control over an organization or a particular situation. To be autocratic is to be tyrannical, dictatorial, and domineering.

Also spelled Hastiin, Hosteen is a term of respectful address in Navajo meaning man or husband. In Navajo, "First Man," from the Navajo Origin Story, is called Áłtsé Hastiin. Often, Hosteen is used before a last name, functioning in a way that is similar to the usage of Mister (Mr.) in English.

Also referred to as a talisman, an amulet is a small object that, according to specific beliefs, has the power to provide protection or bring good luck. In many Native American traditions, personal amulets were carried in a medicine pouch around the neck or attached to one's clothing. While virtually all tribes across North America used amulets as part of their spiritual belief system, types of amulets and their purposes differed according to geographic areas, climates, or livelihood. Some amulets were made of natural materials such as animal horns, teeth, or feathers, as well as special stones or crystals, while others were hand-crafted out of bone, stone, or wood, and were often carved in the shape of animal or human figures. Amulets carved in the shape of an animal or made out of animal parts were believed to channel the power and characteristics of the particular animal, for example a bear’s strength or an eagle’s speed and endurance.

The informal term for the Native American Church, which was established in 1918 as a Pan-Indian movement and in response to government abuses and relocations. The Native American (peyote) Church synthesized Christian beliefs with the sacramental use of peyote, a small, spineless cactus that grows primarily in Texas and Mexico. Although using peyote, a known hallucinogen, for ceremonial purposes occurred in many tribes prior to the organization of the Church, the Native American Church is the first, large ceremonial organization to transcend tribal differences. The Church still exists today despite U.S. legal objection to the use of peyote, which is classified as an illegal drug.

Peyote ceremonies, intended for healing and blessing, usually take place on weekends, but there is no set schedule. Some groups hold meetings monthly while others are more spontaneous. Because peyote is psychoactive, service participants often have visions, but it is the community experience of these effects that gives the ceremony spiritual power.

A peace officer who holds the authority to maintain order and safety and arrest suspect criminals. A constable usually functions as an officer of the law in a rural community. When questions or conflicts arise regarding jurisdiction, a constable must yield to the higher authority of sheriff or a county's chief executive.

In the U.S., a felony is a crime punishable by a term of at least one year in a state or federal prison. A felony can also be punishable by death. Also referred to as "high crime," a felony is significantly different from a misdemeanor, which is punishable by short-term imprisonment in a local or county jail or by the imposition of a fine.

There are different degrees of felonies, each corresponding to the seriousness of the crime committed. First degree corresponds to the most serious and egregious crimes including murder, aggravated robbery and assault, and drug cases where a large amount of money is involved. The punishments for these crimes range between 5 and 99 years, up to life in prison.

Second degree felonies are the next step down in intensity of crime including less aggravated robbery, assault, and sexual crimes and result in 2-to-20 years in prison depending on the case. Third degree felony convictions can result in sentences ranging from between 2 and 20 years of prison time, with these sentences being assigned for multiple-offenses of driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, family violence, and lower level drug charges.

Additionally, each of these rankings can be intensified in degree based on prior convictions and arrests. For instance, if a current charge for a crime committed is third degree, but the sentenced individual has a record of prior convictions, the charge can be augmented from third to a second degree felony at the discretion of the judge hearing the case.