It was another event-filled day on the Navajo
Nation for members of the 2013 Navajo Oral History project on Friday, May 31.
The student team that is working on a documentary
journalism film about the life of Navajo-Zuni silversmith Jake Livingston of
Sanders, Arizona, had to get up early to drive to his place and prepare
for the interview.
On the way to the Livingston home, the students and
faculty stopped at the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital to shoot video and
photographs of large painted murals in an atrium lobby created
by Baje Whitethorne Sr., another of the Navajo elders featured in
documentary films this year.
The group had an interesting visit with Jake and
his family, listening to more of his stories and watching him work on a piece
of jewelry.
On the way back to the Diné College campus, the
group stopped at a grocery store to pick up things for an
afternoon barbecue hosted by Miranda and Vernon Haskie at their
family's sheep camp high in the Chuska Mountains above Lukachukai, Arizona.
(above photo by Whitney Harlos)
At the barbecue, Vernon Haskie brought a sheep
along, so the students could try their hand at shearing sheep. (Don't worry, the sheep just got a haircut; it didn't become dinner.)
Madison Duncan was the first WSU student to try shearing the sheep.
Skylar Ogren
Nik Strand
Whitney Harlos
Tom Hays
Shiloh Gulbranson
Jolene Kuisle
Laura Humes finally got up enough nerve to give it a try.
Darin Strohmenger
Danielle Wieczorek
Cara Mannino
Brett Gustafson
Adam Maciejczak
Skylar Ogren (right) helps Vernon Haskie bag the wool.
Vernon Haskie led a
short hike to the edge of a mountain overlook and showed a sweat lodge on the family property and described how it is used in some Navajo
ceremonies.
Shiloh Gulbranson
Tom Hays
(above two photos by Whitney Harlos)
(above photo by Madison Duncan)
The Haskie Family seemed to enjoy the time on the mountain with the Winona State University students.
Ben (in tree) and Albert Haskie
Kaitlyn Haskie
(above photo by Whitney Harlos)
Ben Haksie
Fred Haskie: Fred is the mascot for the Navajo Oral History Project. He was just a tiny puppy in 2009 when the first year of the project started with WSU students visiting the Navajo Nation. Fred has grown up with the project.
On the way back off the mountain, Vernon led the
group to two cool spots on the mountain with great overlooks for many miles:
beautiful views.
Tom Hays perched high for a better view.
(above three photos by Jolene Kuisle)
Hmmm. Seems a bit dangerous....
Darin Strohmenger
Laura Humes
Skylar Ogren
(above three photos by Cara Mannino)
Laura Humes found a horned toad. These are considered to be very good luck in Navajo tradition. The person who finds a horned toad is supposed to place it on their chest and stroke it ensure good thoughts and a clean heart.
(above photo by Madison Duncan)
Brett Gustafson sniffs some crumbled sage to help clear his sinuses.
Robbie Christiano catches a nap while students skipped stones in a mountain pond.
Skylar Ogren
Laura Humes
Skylar Ogren and Darin Strohmenger
It seemed like a contest to see who could get the most skips and the longest skips. It's hard to says who won... but the top finishers were certainly Brett Gustafson, Vernon Haskie, Skylar Ogren and Darin Strohmenger. Laura Humes received "most improved skipper" honors as she increased her average skips per toss from one to six or seven.
Now here are several thoughtful and interesting images by Darin Strohmenger:
And finally (for today), a serene mountain pond scene.
(above photo by Madison Duncan)
It was another fun day, with learning and cultural
exchange throughout.
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