Month: September 2010

Hopi educator Sahmie Sunshine Wytewa NIEA board of directors candidate

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn American Indian Studies, Hopi education, Hopi news of interest2 Comments
Sahmie Sunshine Wytewa, 2010 NIEA Board of Directors candidate

I am pleased to announce that Sahmie Sunshine Wytewa, an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe and lifelong educator, is an official candidate for the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) board of directors.  Wytewa comes to the NIEA with an incredible amount of experience, a passion for the advancement of Indian education, a close connection to the Hopi community, and an impeccable work ethic. NIEA members will have the opportunity to vote for candidates at the upcoming NIEA Convention held in San Diego, California, on October 7-10, 2010. Below is Wytewa’s personal statement on the NIEA website: http://www.niea.org/events/board.php

Sahmie Sunshine Wytewa, Hopi: Ms. Wytewa is a prime candidate for NIEA board membership given her strengths as a practicing educator, educational background, and her strong desire to provide leadership in education. In addition to her professional qualities, she is also an involved community member of the Hopi tribe who has endured the challenges of balancing her culture and educational pursuits. As a mother, Sahmie has taken great care in providing the experiences of traditional values and real-life expectations for her children.

As an educator, Ms. Wytewa understands the significance of accountability in academic achievement and the inequalities that are reflected in the quality of education and misrepresentation of Native populations in regards to academic performance. Working in underperforming schools going through School Improvement, she has the working knowledge of current initiatives in educational reform. Her skills as a teacher have allowed her firsthand insight into the trends in achievement, learning modes of children, and research-based strategies that promote academic growth.

Ms. Wytewa’s continued professional growth is the direct result of her desire to improve the quality of education and learning experiences for all students. Channeling her efforts to further develop reform in Indian education, Sahmie has chosen the course of advancement through leadership. She is committed to working in collaboration with like-minded individuals or groups towards student-centered reform.

With strong ties to her community, Sahmie has an authentic link giving her the advantage of providing background in an otherwise vague theme of Indian education. It is with these combined strengths and efforts, that Ms. Wytewa can be a true asset to the NIEA board in providing many perspectives of education.

Hopi Summer, 2011 Nominee for OneBookAZ

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Book reviews, Hopi history2 Comments

Several months ago I posted a very positive review of a book by Carolyn O’Bagy Davis titled Hopi Summer: Letters from Ethel to Maud (Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2007). Her book is currently a finalist for the OneBookAZ 2011 award. I have always been supportive of Davis and her work, and Hopi Summer is certainly worthy of this and other awards. If you are a resident of Arizona, and you would like to vote for Hopi Summer, you can do so between September 27 and October 15 at the following website: http://www.onebookaz.org

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

Screening BEYOND THE MESAS at Upper Moencopi

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Films, Hopi education, Hopi films, Hopi scholarship, Phoenix Indian School, Screenings, Sherman InstituteLeave a comment

Photograph by Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

On Saturday September 18, 2010, I had a special opportunity to screen BEYOND THE MESAS and give a presentation to my family at the village of Upper Moencopi’s Community Center. The screening and presentation were part of the Sakiestewa/Honanie Annual Family Reunion. About 60 people attended the event.

I have screened BEYOND THE MESAS at several universities in the United States, and I have shown it at other locations on the Hopi Reservation, but this was the first time the documentary was screened at Upper Moencopi. The film was well received and it led into a discussion on the benefits and negative consequences of Hopi attendance at off-reservation Indian boarding schools.

After the screening I passed out student case files that I collected at the National Archives in Laguna Niguel, California (now located in Perris, California). The files belong to members of the Sakiestewa and Honanie families who attended Sherman Institute or the Phoenix Indian School from 1906 to the 1940s. Most of the files included school applications, report cards, and handwritten and typed letters.

As a Hopi professor at the University of Illinois I am thankful for the opportunities that I have to bring my research back to the Hopi community. This has always been a driving force behind my work.

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

Beginnurz Hoyam Hopilavayi Pilot Program

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Announcements, HEEF, Hopi education1 Comment
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Beginnurz Hoyam Hopilavayi Pilot Program presents Hopi Language courses for Hopi adults with little to no Hopi fluency
There are three 6-week courses available:
Immersion 1 begins on Tuesday, September 28 and will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Hopi Day School in Kykotsmovi
Literacy 1 begins on Tuesday, September 28 and will meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Northland Pioneer College
Interactive 1 begins on Friday, October 1st with an orientation from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Tuuwanasavi Heritage Consulting Office in Kykotsmovi and regular classes begin on Monday, October 4th and will meet on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Sipaulovi Community Building
Each course is limited to 15 students, registration is required for participation and is processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  The fee for each course is $50.00 and is due at registration.
Please see the attached registration packet for more information.  You may return your registration c/o:  Vermetta Quanimptewa, Northland Pioneer College by fax at 928-738-2267 or hand deliver to NPC (928-738-2265) or you may contact Troy Lomavaya (928-226-3830) or Vernon Kahe (928-734-2275).
The Beginnurz Hoyam Hopilavayi Pilot Program also receives funding from the Hopi Education Endowment Fund/Hopi Foundation Community Grant Program and the Hopi Foundation Leadership Program 2008-2009 Alumni.  In-kind partners include:  Hopi Day School, Northland Pioneer College and Sipaulovi Village.
Please feel free to forward to others who might be interested.

Scholarship Opportunity: APS Hopi Scholars Program

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Announcements, HEEF, Hopi education, HTGSPLeave a comment
***HOPI SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT***

Through a partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS), the Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) and the Hopi Tribe Grants and Scholarship Program (HTGSP) we are pleased to announce a unique scholarship opportunity for Hopi students entitled the APS Hopi Scholars Program. The program will provide eight $3,500 scholarships for 3 seniors, 3 juniors, and 2 sophomores pursuing an AAS, AS, BA or BS at an accredited college or university for the Academic Year (AY) 2010-2011.

In addition to general eligibility requirements, students must submit a Special Scholarship Application and a 1 page essay regarding “Commitment to Community”. The selected students must also perform 40 hours of community service to the Hopi community before the start of the next AY. Applications will be competitive and will be reviewed and awarded by a Selection Committee. If you have any questions please contact the HTGSP at 1-800-762-9630. The deadline is October 1, 2010.

The Application Form can be downloaded HERE

Hopi Education Endowment Fund

PO Box 605

Kykostmovi, Arizona

Phone: (928) 734-2275

Fax: (928) 734-2273

Copyright (c) 2010. Hopi Education Endowment Fund. All rights reserved.

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowships in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011-2012

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Announcements

***JOB ANNOUNCEMENT***

CHANCELLOR’S POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS IN
AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Under the Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the American Indian Studies Program seeks two Postdoctoral Fellows for the 2011-2012 academic year. This fellowship program provides a stipend, a close working association with AIS faculty, and assistance in furthering the fellow’s development as a productive scholar. Applicants should have an ongoing research project that promises to make a notable contribution to American Indian and Indigenous Studies. While fellows will concentrate on their research, they may choose to teach one course in American Indian Studies. Furthermore, fellows are encouraged to participate in the intellectual community of the American Indian Studies Program.

The Fellowship stipend for the 2011- 2012 academic year is $42,000, including health benefits. An additional $5,000 will be provided for the fellow’s research, travel, and related expenses. Candidates must have completed all degree requirements by August 15, 2011. Preference will be given to those applicants who have finished their degrees in the past five years. The one-year fellowship appointment period is from August 16, 2011, to August 15, 2012.

Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a thorough description of the research project to be undertaken during the fellowship year, two samples of their scholarly writing, and two letters of recommendation to Robert Warrior, Director, American Indian Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1204 West Nevada Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801-3818. Applications received by January 21, 2011 will receive full consideration. The review process will continue until the fellowships are filled. For further information, contact Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert, Chair, Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Committee, American Indian Studies: Phone: (217) 265-9870, Email: tewa@illinois.edu, or visit the Program’s website at www.ais.illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Hopi filmmaker and photographer at the University of Illinois

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Hopi artists, Hopi films, Hopi Runners, Native films2 Comments
Photograph by Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

On September 9, 2010,  Victor Masayesva, Jr. from the village of Hotevilla screened a short film and gave a presentation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Masayesva’s visit was part of a university sponsored initiative titled “Sovereignty and Autonomy in the Western Hemisphere: National & Regional Struggles for Power, Identity and Space.” The American Indian Studies Program organized the event.

Masayesva is known throughout the world as an accomplished Hopi photographer and filmmaker. Some of his award winning films include Hopiit, Itam Hakim Hopiit, Ritual Clowns, Imagining Indians, and one of my favorites, Paatuwaqatsi: Water, Land & Life, a film on Hopi running, the sacredness of water, and Hopi relationship with the indigenous people of Mexico.

In addition to directing films, Masayesva has published a book titled Husk of Time: The Photographs of Victor Masayesva with the University of Arizona Press.

To learn more about Masayesva and his work, please visit the following website: http://www.nativenetworks.si.edu/eng/rose/masayesva_v.htm

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

Photographs of the 37th Annual Louis Tewanima Footrace

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Hopi Runners, Louis Tewanima, Photography3 Comments

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photographs by Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

I arrived at the village of Shungopavi at 5:30 in the morning. A crowd of people gathered at the baseball field. An event volunteer welcomed everyone to the race and gave instructions to the runners.

“The 10K race will begin in 20 minutes” he announced.

A large camera and flash hung around my neck. “Hey, are you with the press?” one man asked. “No, ” I replied, “I am working on a project with the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office on runners. I’m here to photograph the event.”

“The 10K race will begin in 5 minutes” the person behind the megaphone announced.

The runners gathered around the start line. The race had officially begun. Ten seconds later, the runners were gone.

I made my way to the southeast side of the village. The sun had not yet risen over First Mesa. In the valley below, a running trail etched its way through the rocky landscape.

“Any sight of the runners” I asked. “Not yet” a man replied. Everyone waited.

After 25 minutes, the first runner appeared in the distance. It was Hopi runner Juwan Nuvayokva from Oraivi. He ran with ease and strength, showing few signs of fatigue.

On the opposite end of the village 5K runners were climbing their way up the mesa. I arrived to see my father make the final push to the top.

Back at the baseball field the 1 and 2 mile fun runs had started. Children of all ages ran toward the camera.

People clapped and cheered as the youngest runner approached the finish. It was a perfect way to end the race.

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

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Throughout the week I will be adding more photographs to the slideshow, so be sure to check back.

If you or a family member are pictured in the above slideshow, and you would like a high resolution copy of the photograph, please email me at sakiestewa@gmail.com. I want to also extend a special thanks to Bonnie Talakte, Catherine Talakte, and other event organizers for granting me permission to photograph the 37th Annual Louis Tewanima Footrace on Second Mesa.