The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Traditional Healing

Navajo have rituals associated with giving birth. Despite having to give birth in a hospital because of her high blood pressure, Lori wanted to incorporate some of these rituals into her birthing experience. A double rainbow appeared outside her window before she gave birth. In Navajo culture, rainbows are important, and often woven into rug designs. Lori thought that it might have been another gift from Thomas—a prayer for her and her son.

A medicine woman named Maria Herrera, who was related to one of the other women at the hospital giving birth, offered to say a prayer for the baby while she was at the hospital. Maria brought a red sash and tied it in knots. She placed the sash on Lori’s stomach and told Jon to pull the knots out. Once he completed this four times, Maria then sprinkled corn pollen on either side of the sash. According to traditional belief, this ritual prevents the baby from entanglement in the umbilical cord. Lori felt more relaxed after the prayer. The sickening effects from the medicine used to induce labor also subsided. Lori gave birth to Christopher Kodiak Alvord via a c-section. Jon and Lori wanted their son to have a name that would be associated with the spirit of the bear.