Month: December 2011

Playing with birds

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Hopi photography4 Comments
"Playing with birds" May 2011, Photograph by Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

In May of this year, I photographed our cat, Twila, stalking a bird in our yard. Although Twila is a great “mouser,” she tends to be gentle with birds. She plays with them (similar to the way she plays with spiders), and then lets them go. This bird was no exception. Thirty minutes after I took the photo, I saw the bird perched in a nearby tree. No longer interested in playing with the bird, Twila moved on to stalking bigger and better things, including a squirrel. But unlike the birds, squirrels in our neighborhood refuse to play with her. She gets the same response from the raccoons.

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

Two years of blogging

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Beyond the Mesas blog4 Comments

When I started beyondthemesas.com in November 2009, I told myself that I would blog for six months. After that, I would reevaluate whether I wanted to continue.

More than two years later, the blog has received 31,612 “hits” and 180 comments. While some bloggers receive this many hits in one week (or one day), I am grateful to know that a handful of people find beyondthemesas.com useful and perhaps even interesting.

At the very least, the blog provides an alternative to the many bizarre websites out there on the Hopi.

The most popular posts continue to be on Hopi runners and photography.  This year, the posts on the Hopi and Navajo water rights issue received a lot of attention.

Many thanks to people back home and those beyond the mesas who dropped by this past year to read my blog. I look forward to another productive year of blogging in 2012.

Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

“I’m learning about Hopi”

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Beyond the Mesas blog4 Comments
Photograph by Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert

A few weeks ago I heard the words “If so, please consider…” coming from my living room. I looked around the corner, and to my surprise, I saw my oldest daughter sitting with my lPad on her lap. My blog was open on the screen.  When I asked what she was doing, she simply replied, “I’m learning about Hopi.”

Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowships in American Indian Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012-2013

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn AIS at Illinois, AnnouncementsLeave a comment

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 2012-2013 academic year. One of the positions may be renewable for a second 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 2012-2013 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, 2012. 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, 2012, to August 15, 2013.

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.  All application materials should be sent electronically to ais@illinois.edu. Applications received by January 20, 2012 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 village of Los Angeles

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Uncategorized4 Comments

Information to the whereabouts of the long lost Hopi village of Los Angeles has surfaced in the L.A. Times. But think twice if you would like to live there. Rent is steep! Check it out: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2011/12/atwater-bungalows.html

Image courtesy of the L.A. Times

Hopi news stories of interest

On By Matthew Sakiestewa GilbertIn Hopi newsLeave a comment

***Last Updated: Dec. 6, 2011***

Hopi Tribal Council Reduces Tribal Chairman’s Powers

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/12/05/hopi-tribal-council-reduces-tribal-chairman%E2%80%99s-powers-65888

Lori Ann Piestewa Honored With Building Name

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/12/02/lori-ann-piestewa-honored-with-building-name-65758

Hopi Tribal Council does not support Navajos Proposal on snowmaking

http://navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=14091

“Water is Life” forum draws capacity crowd

http://navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubSectionID=114&ArticleID=14086

Hopi veterans honored with parade on their special day

http://navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=74&SubsectionID=114&ArticleID=14072

Hopi High School cross country team break records at state championship

http://navajohopiobserver.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=14065