D.Y. Begay is a Navajo born to Totsohnii, the Big Water people, and born for Ta'chii'nii, the Red Streak Earth people. D.Y. is a weaver, and a daughter of a weaver's daughter. She learned at an early age to shear sheep, and to card and spin wool. Her parents showed her which plants to pick for dyeing the fleece to obtain the varied and subtle colors she uses in her weaving. As she says, "Everything in my weaving is natural. I use the same techniques passed from my ancestors to me to create designs that have artistic and traditional values."
D.Y. has exhibited her weavings at the Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Lawrence Indian Arts Show in Lawrence, Kansas, Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, the Scottsdale Indian Artists of America Show in Scottsdale, Arizona, and numerous galleries in New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Connecticut. Among her many credits are co-curating exhibits in New York (National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian Institute) and in Santa Fe (Wheelwright Museum) as well as serving as a consultant to many museums, galleries and private collectors throughout the country.
Her early schooling was on the reservation and later, at Arizona State University at Tempe, where she received her bachelor's degree in fine arts and art education. D.Y.'s artistic nature has also led her to study in other media, such as photography, basketweaving, stained glass, and drawing -- all of which, she feels enhances the artistry and traditional design of her Navajo rugs.
She resides in Tselani and Scottsdale with her husband and sons.
D.Y. at the sheep camp in Tselani feeding the twins.