In Loving Memory of Our Father Harvey W. Holiday

Harvey W. Holiday

83 years old

Navajo Clans: Tódich'ii'nii, Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii, Kin ł ichii'nii, and Bit'ahnii

DOB: January 7, 1938 - DOD: December 10, 2021

Harvey Holiday was widely known for his ability to help his community in their needs of physical, spiritual, and emotional ailments through the use of Navajo Traditional Ceremonies & Native American Church practices.

At a young age, Harvey, like many others, held a job working in the Uranium Mines within the vicinity of the Four Corners Region. Before the shutdown, he spent nearly 2 decades serving the Uranium Mining Company and unbeknownst to him was exposed to the harmful uranium dust that he inhaled.

Like many Navajo people, Harvey was very traditional. He began as an understudy of his father’s Navajo ceremonial teachings. Later, Harvey met his new teacher, Sydney Moore, a traditional Robeman of the Native American Church. Through Sydney’s constant motivation and his confidence in him, Harvey traveled across the United States, Canada, and parts of Alaska learning new songs and studying the prayers spoken in the NAC practices. Harvey soon emerged as the next generation’s NAC Robeman.

With his knowledge and expertise, Harvey conducted several ceremonies earning him a reverent title as ‘Navajo Traditional Medicine Man’ & ‘Native American Church Robeman’ across the Navajo Nation in which he frequently traveled nearly every day helping his Navajo People heal. His work was called for any occasion: Navajo weddings, Navajo Child’s First Laugh, Blessings of a New Home, Blessings of a New Job, Blessing of Education, Protection Prayers for Military, 5-Day Summer Ceremonies (aka N’daa), Cyrstal Gazing, and many other types of ceremonies meant for celebration, special occasions, and for mental/spiritual/physical healing.

COVID-19 did not take him. Harvey’s health declined slowly, but surely with the exposure of Uranium Mining. He contracted pneumoconiosis, fibrosis of the lungs, and pulmonary fibrosis which limited his oxygen intake as the uranium poisoned his lungs over time. He struggled to continue his work as a Medicine Man & NAC Robeman and had to stop as his health declined further.

The uranium mining did not take the necessary precautions to protect its workers and like many others who were exposed to the harmful uranium dust and radiation—Harvey W. Holiday, a man of good statue, succumbed to his lung diseases. His last year alone required constant 24/7 care. After frequent ER calls, in the best interest of him, we focused on the quality of life and we placed him on hospice care at home. He was robbed of a decade of living life in tune with his ceremonial practices. We hope to honor him by continuing his teachings and share his story here.

This is the reason we are reaching out to the public for donations to cover the cost & expenses related to the burial of Harvey W. Holiday. He was, in fact, a father, brother, grandfather, teacher, and friend to the community and Navajo People. He was one of the last remaining pinnacles of the Navajo Traditional Ceremonies within the Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii clan. He was an advocate for the Navajo Traditional Way of Life and the humility of the Native American Church.

In advance, we appreciated the generosity in your donations, we want to honor his burial to the last decree of his wishes. Anything helps. Thank you.

If you were family, relative, or a friend you can find more information on Harvey W. Holiday by reaching out to us.