Tribal Wisdom Foundation
An all volunteer, non-profit organization committed to the understanding and support of Indigenous culture.
Projects |
PROJECT MISSION STATEMENT
"To provide a learning opportunity by experiencing an Indigenous culture and way of life."
BACKGROUND
The 'Iina' Resource Center is located near the town of Pinon, Arizona, within the Navajo Reservation. The Navajo Reservation is about 130,000 square miles covering parts of southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southwestern Colorado. The 15 million acres of desert land ranges in elevation from about 5,000 ft to 11,000 ft above sea level. The Navajo homeland is located on the Colorado Plateau1.
The flora and fauna of the Colorado Plateau is very diverse with sparse desert communities in lower areas to the alpine tundra found at the highest peaks. "This diversity can be attributed to the region's varied topography and its geographic position in the western United States. The Colorado Plateau is sandwiched between the Great Basin to the west, an arid region of alkaline basins and faulted mountain ranges, and the Rocky Mountains to the east, a lusher landscape of high peaks and rich forests. The region's flora and fauna thus has elements of each of these provinces as well as a significant number of endemic species that have evolved in areas of relative isolation atop the Plateau."2
The 'Iina' Resource Center, located within the Colorado Plateau, is characterized by large barren areas, spectacular geological formations, juniper trees (Juniperus osteosperma), semi-arid grassland and shrubland. There are few pinyon trees (Pinus edulis) in the area. The dominant grasses are blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), galleta grass (Hilaria jamesii), squirreltail grass (Sitanion hystrix), Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). The shrubs include big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), saltbrush (Atriplex canescens), and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus). Reference 1: www.kaibab.org; 2: http://home.nau.edu/
PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of this project is to develop a cultural resource center to host individuals and groups, providing them with an opportunity for experimental learning. The 'Ii'na Resource Center consists of a small house, traditional hogan, livestock corral, cornfield, and livestock. The goal of this project is to complete the renovation of the 'Ii'na Resource Center into a working example of Indigenous knowledge and living.
PROJECT SCOPE
The 'Iina' Resource Center is currently in need of repairs and development. The scope of the project is listed below.
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Complete the exterior renovation of the 'Iina' Resource Center (IRC)
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Complete the following projects to complete the interior of the IRC: Install ceiling, Paint walls, Finish bathroom
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Construct a traditional hogan from the existing hogan
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Develop and implement a strategy for the agricultural field
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Replace existing cornfield fence with new fencing
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Research and acquire Indigenous seeds for planting
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Renovate existing livestock structures and corral
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Develop a community-oriented program for domesticated animals
In addition, the project will include the following:
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Work with community members to identify open dump sites
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Recommend actions to address the dump sites
OUR APPROACH
Our approach is to utilize our Indigenous cultural protocols to work toward the completion of this project.
PROPOSED OUTCOME
We thank the Tribal Wisdom Foundation for their acceptance of this project on the Navajo Reservation and look forward to starting what we feel will be a living example of Indigenous culture. The house will serve as a place to gather and store cultural resources. The completion of the traditional hogan will open the doorway to the Dine' (Navajo) way of life. We look forward to providing the opportunity for people to come and experience what it feels like to work directly with plants and animals. Combining that experience with the cultural resources of the Dine' way of life may produce something an individual can build upon. It is this possibility of positive change and hope that drives us to complete this project.
PROJECT UPDATE
New walls put up
Bathroom walls and ceilings drywalled
Bathroom tiles installed
Kitchen walls and ceiling drywalled
Insulation almost complete
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