Day 4 - Della Toadlena

On the fourth day of the 2013 Navajo Oral History project fieldwork, the students were in the field again conducting interviews.

Several students went to Chinle, Arizona, to interview Della Toadlena a retired English professor of Diné College.

The students arrived in the morning and set-up to interview Della right away.

(above two photos by Darin Strohmenger)

Here's a sketch of Della by WSU student Whitney Harlos:

After the interview was complete, the group sat down to enjoy a delicious box lunch from the Diné College cafeteria.

(above five photos by Danielle Wieczorek)

(above photo by Madison Duncan)

Then it was time for chores. Della and her husband of 46 years, Lee, assigned our group to clean up a ceremonial hogan and pick up trash around their property as they prepare to host a Blessing Way ceremony in the next few weeks. The students felt good to help this nice couple and be a part of such an important ceremony.

(above photo by Elise Nelson)

(above three photos by Danielle Wieczorek)

When the work was done, the Navajo Oral History project group said goodbye to Della, knowing they would return for another interview next week.

The group stopped at the Canyon de Chelly National Monument to look into the canyon, and to peruse the cool artwork offered for sale by many local artisans who sell their wares at the overlook parking areas.

(above five photos by Darin Strohmenger)

(above three photos by Madison Duncan)

 

(above four photos by Brett Gustafson)

(above photo by Cara Mannino)

(above two photos by Laura Humes)

  

(above four photos by Adam Maciejczak)

(above photo by Madison Duncan)

(above four photos by Danielle Wieczorek)

Here (below) is a photo of Tom Hays on the edge of a rock overlooking the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto. Faculty leaders Robbie Christiano and Tom Grier weren't too happy about the danger involved in this scene -- but recognize that it's a great photo (by Jolene Kuisle).

Another group was all set to interview a traditional Navajo rug weaver, but that scheduled interview fell apart. Instead they worked to find another potential interview subject -- and goofed off a bit at the Diné  College campus.

In the evening, a few members of the group went on a short drive to locate Della Toadlena's childhood home near the college campus. They also stopped to take some photos of Bear Mountain (see if you can spot the bear).

Below are some interesting, entertaining and creative photos by Whitney Harlos and Skylar Ogren. These were taken while they were waiting for an interview with an elder. The first eight images are by Whitney Harlos.

These next five photos are by Skylar Ogren.

And just for fun, here's a couple photos by Nik Strand from the past two days.

And, finally, one last photo (for today) of Maverick, the local dog that now hangs around our Dorm building because he knows he'll get attention, and occasional treats, from our Navajo Oral History project students. (photo by Elise Nelson)

First Interview: Baje Whitethorne Sr.

It was an amazing day for the members of the 2013 Navajo Oral History project on Tuesday, May 21, when they drove to Flagstaff, Arizona, to meet with the famous artist Baje Whitethorne Sr.

(photo by Tom Hays)

Baje grew up on the Navajo Nation and continues to include Navajo themes in his paintings and sculptures that have been exhibited in museums across the United States and around the world.

As is the custom of the Navajo Oral History project, the class members and faculty provide several hours of labor in a service project for the elder to start the day by building a relationship of giving and trust prior to the interview.

Baje said he had been dreaming about cleaning out his garage and shed for a long time, and his dreams were answered when two van loads of college students showed up to help him. The students removed nearly everything from the garage and shed, cleaned everything, vacuumed the floors, organized the materials and put it all back in under Baje's direction.

He wanted to make it easy to find his tools and display materials for when he travels to show his work. And, Baje said, he needed more room to use as creative space for future art projects.

When the work was complete, Baje visited with the students for a few minutes, talking about art and the creative process.

Tom Grier, a professor of the Navajo Oral History project, presented a commemorative shirt featuring a combined logo of the two schools, to Baje.

(above two photos by Lionel Harvey)

The group sat down to enjoy box lunches prepared by the Diné College cafeteria.

Jemmisa Tsinnijinnie and Shiloh Gulbranson. 

(above two photos by Whitney Harlos)

Shortly after lunch, the team of students who are working on the documentary film about Baje's life set up their cameras, hooked-up their microphones and proceeded to interview Baje for nearly two hours.

(Brett Gustafson checks his camera and lenses. photo by Madison Duncan)

(Skylar Ogren helps Danielle Wieczorek set-up and test the video camera. photo by Madison Duncan)

(Madison Duncan gets the microphone set on Baje's shirt collar.)

(Robbie Christiano confirms the excellent composition Danielle selected for the Baje interview.)

(above photo by Brett Gustafson)

Madison Duncan transcribing the text of Baje's interview as he speaks. 

(above two photos by Brett Gustafson)

As the interview came to an end Baje graciously offered to give an autographed print of one of his art pieces to each member of the Navajo Oral History project group present.

(Baje Whitethorne Sr. autographs a print for Whitney Harlos.)

(Baje Whitethorne Sr. autographs a print for Shiloh Gulbranson.)

Baje Whitethorne Sr. autographs a book for Robbie Christiano.

Tom Hays with Baje Whitethorne Sr. and the print Baje autographed.

(above three photos by Whitney Harlos)

In the van ride back to the Diné College campus in Tsaile, Arizona, the students couldn’t stop talking about how amazing the day was visiting with this talented, humble, friendly and kind man.

(photo by Jolene Kuisle)

The Baje Whitethorne team: Madison Duncan, Brett Gustafson and Danielle Wieczorek of Winona State University, and Trina Thomas of Diné College. They will begin to transcribe the text of the interview, look through video and begin marking segments for inclusion in the documentary film, and review hundreds of digital photographs. They also will begin to prepare for their second interview with Baje later this week.

Two other journalism teams are on deck for Wednesday, when they will travel to do a service project for their elder and then interview the elder to begin their documentary film project.