Atsidi Sani
Atsidi Sani (Navajo: Atsidii Sání) (ca. 1830 – ca. 1918) was the first known Navajo silversmith.
Background
Atsidi Sani played an important role in the history of Navajo silversmithing. He is known by many to be the first Navajo silversmith, although his main focus was in blacksmithing; working with iron. Many agree that he learned blacksmithing in the year 1853. However, Grey Moustache, who was a student and the great-nephew of Sani, explained that, “Atsidi Sani learned this art twenty years before he first worked silver, which was not until after his return from Fort Sumner. That could not have been before 1868, and was possibly several years after that date. Therefore, he must have learned blacksmithing about 1850”.
Little is known of Atsidi Sani. However, it is known that he was born near Wheatfields, Arizona, circa 1830. He was known by many names, but to his people, he was known as Atsidi Sani, which translates to "Old Smith," and to the Mexicans he was known as Herrero, which means "Iron Worker." Some of his other names included, Delgadito (Little Thin), Herrero Delgado (Thin Smith), and Beshiltheeni (Metal Worker, Knife Maker). In addition, aside from being a silversmith and a blacksmith, he was also a Medicine Man, Spiritual Leader, Ceremonial Singer, and a Navajo Chief.