Ghost, sheep entry wins: Navajo Times Pumpkin Carving Contest
Meet artist Nevaeh Talkalai
WINDOW ROCK
Discovering the Navajo Times Pumpkin Carving Contest, which began on Oct. 8, inspired Nevaeh Talkalai to enter. Her carving of a ghost and a sheep earned her first place, a testament to her talent and dedication.
Nevaeh, 20, is Tótsohnii and born for Tódích’íi’nii. Her maternal grandfather is Áshįįhí and her paternal grandfather is Dziłtł’ahnii. She lives in Bee’eldííldahsinil and attends Coconino Community College, focused on earning a degree in psychology.
Submitted | Nevaeh Talkalai
Nevaeh Talkalai
In her professional life, she is making a significant impact as a job coach and service coordinator, empowering individuals with mental challenges and special needs to thrive. Talkalai is actively pursuing a profession in career development and services while continuing her education, showcasing her unwavering commitment to growth.
She began her academic journey at Michigan State University, studying psychology, but after one semester, she chose to transfer closer to home. Though leaving early came with challenges, she faced them head-on.
Pumpkin entry inspiration
Talkalai’s passion for pumpkin carving shines through as she participates in multiple contests each October. “I truly love it!” she said. “This year, with the contest being for the Navajo Nation, I was excited to create something that genuinely reflected my culture. Growing up off the reservation, I’ve always embraced opportunities to showcase my heritage.”
Courtesy | Nevaeh Talkalai
Nevaeh Talkalai’s captivating figure, adorned with her kénitsaa, carries a flour-sack bag while trick-or-treating alongside a sheep.
Having grown up in Flagstaff and attended primarily non-Native schools, Talkalai has consistently sought ways to celebrate her cultural identity.
Her award-winning pumpkin captures a young girl in a ghost costume made from a classic white bed sheet, complete with eye holes. This captivating figure, adorned with her kénitsaa, carries a flour-sack bag while trick-or-treating alongside a sheep. Talkalai expertly etched her design into the pumpkin’s skin, allowing a radiant glow to shine through when lit, highlighting her skill and deep connection to her culture.
Talkalai earned a free Navajo Times ad space and a Navajo Times collector’s cup. The second-place and third-place winners are Michelle Dayzie (for her 3D design with skeletons) and Reneasha Murphy of Lupton, Ariz., respectively.
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