Growing up in Teelch'init'i'i, Oak Springs, AZ, on the Navajo Indian Reservation, Mark H. Deschinny is Bit'ahnii and born for 'Ashihii.  His maternal grandfather is Haashk'aanhadzohi.  His paternal grandfather is Bit'ahnii.  His ancestorial land is located at Dziihidzoh, which is located between T'iis 'Ii'ahi(Pine Springs, AZ) and Teelch'init'i'i(Oak Springs, AZ).  His mother is Isabel Myers-Deschinny.  His late father was Daniel Deschinny, Sr..  His late maternal grandmother is Mabel Burnside-Myers.  He has three siblings, Daniel Jr., Ronald Sr. and Janet.

Coming from many generations of Dine weavers, Mark H. Deschinny is continuing and promoting the life way of Dine weaving and dyeing through his weaving business.  Through innovative equipment designs, education and research, Deschinny is vying to better and diversify the Dine weaving markets and increase the amount of professional Dine weavers within his lifetime.

Primarily, Deschinny supports himself designing, fabricating and selling weaving looms and tools.  He views weavers should have innovative but yet culturally identifiable equipment to better his/her life as a Dine weaver.  As such, his looms employ unique designs which integrate the warping and weaving looms together and on larger looms, the "feet" or supports are easily detachable for easy movement.  As for his weaving tools, Deschinny makes them with whomever in mind.  As such, he creates traditional, artistic, custom and ergonomically designed weaving tools.  He uses commercial woods and locally harvested woods for his looms and tools.  Like his uncles and past grandfathers, he continues this culture through his business.

Through educational workshops, demonstrations, presentations and consultation, Deschinny has the biggest opportunity to positively impact Dine weaving adn dyeing promotion and retention.  Focusing on Dine Dyeing, Dine Tapestry Weaving, Dine Double Weaving and Dine Sash Belt Weaving, Mr. Deschinny works with K-12 schools, tribal programs, colleges, organizations, educational institutions such as the Museum of Northern Arizona and Amerind Institute, businesses, tour groups, the public and of course, the Dine weaver.  Deschinny specializes in Dine colorants: dyes, paints and pigments using local plants, local minerals, local water and his family knowledge.  Like his family, Deschinny continues this way of life through his business.

Mark Deschinny believes the Dine must know their past and present to proceed with the future.  As such, research in Dine weaving and dyeing culture, Dine colorant development, origins of colorants and the amplification of the mathematics and science in Dine weaving and dyeing are a big focus of Mr. Deschinny.  Through interviews with chanters, herbalists, weavers, sheepherders and other orthodox Dine, Deschinny hope to acquire a library of information for present and future Dine to access.  Deschinny also works on the development of Dine colorants from past applications to be used for modern applications such as dyeing, printing and painting on industrial textiles, paper, natural fibers and synthetic fibers.  Identifying materials and application methods on past cultural materials such as woven textiles, pottery, basketry and leather work is another area of research for Deschinny.  As requested by educational groups, Mr. Deschinny continues to identify and amplify the analytical portions of Dine weaving and dyeing for the purpose of instructing mathematics and science while retaining the Dine culture.

Copyright 2015 Mark H. Deschinny 10/28/15