The Scalpel and the Silver Bear Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord The Scalpel and the Silver Bear is a biography of Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord; she is from a small town on a Navajo reservation who grew up to be a surgeon. She became the first female Navajo doctor. She grew up with two sisters, Karen and Robyn she grew up in Crown Point New Mexico. She expressed how she grew up in a family without money, power, or influence. Most people in her community spoke only the Navajo as their first language and many did not speak English at all. Her family had raised her and her siblings to speak English. Her father was a Navajo, he was a charming intelligent man but he had tendency of having alcohol binges. Her mother was blonde-haired, blue eyed, and attractive…show more content… Her Parents held no college degree, but the had always encourage her to get an education. Even though her mother was not Navajo and she was blonde with blue eyes she was accepted in the Navajo community. Her community mostly spoke the Navajo language but her parents taught her to speak English. Going to school as young girl most of the children spoke the Navajo language. The portion of the children who were white and spoke English she did talk too but she had also talk to the Navajo children. She didn’t feel comfortable with either group. she compared herself to Spider women a character in the native American stories who would wove through the world part here and part there. She felt her grandmother understood how she…show more content… Firstly, growing she and her family had gone to Indian festivals and dances. She explained that everywhere she went with her family she felt two side of her community one way rich, powerful. And the other natural, spiritual, and most of the time poor. Secondly, going to college was a culture shock for her because Navajo was taught to be humble and not to draw so much attention to themselves, so it was difficult for her to join clubs or even raise her hand in class.
Finally, Alvord explained the kinaalda ceremony which was part of the blessing way ceremony the story of the changing women which celebrated a girl coming to a womanhood. Family would gather together sing and massage the women from head to toe. She expressed that family was less traditional that neither sisters or her had this
