New Miss Hozhoni Crowned Hozhoni Tradition Draws Thousands

Volume XXVI
Number 5
Friday, April 4, 2008
New Miss Hozhoni
Crowned
By Asa Washines
This year’s 44th annual Hozhoni Days celebration
ended at the pow-wow Saturday night with the
crowning of a new Miss Hozhoni.
Margret Talia White (Navajo) edged out Caryn L.
Hacker (Rosebud Sioux) and Chanelle Ella Benally
(Navajo) for this year’s Mizz Hozhoni title in a series
of events as Savanna Spurlock (Navajo) handed her
crown off.
All three contestants had each showcased their talent to a panel of five judges throughout Hozhoni
Days. Margaret Talia White is a junior majoring in
sociology coming from Fort Defiance, AZ will represent Fort Lewis College until next year’s celebration.
Caryn L. Hacker the 1st attendant, is a freshmen
coming from Rosebud, SD. Chanelle Ella Benally is
the 2nd attendant, is a senior majoring in political sciFLC alumnus Bruce LeClaire dances in the color guard during Saturday’s afternoon grand entry.
Hozhoni Tradition Draws Thousands
By Patricia Mahan
The 44th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow drew
thousands of onlookers and participants on March 28
and 29 in the Fort Lewis College Gymnasium.
I am just beginning to learn about powwows.
Until now I did not realize that there are different
types of powwows. The Powwow that is held at Fort
Lewis is a contest Powwow.
Talia White, this year’s Miss Hozhoni, said
Hozhoni Days is a time for people to come and celebrate their culture. It is a time for non-Native and
Natives to take pride and learn about other people.
The Hozhoni Days brings people from all over the
United States and sometimes it attracts people from
Canada. A lot of people look forward to Hozhoni
Days and it’s amazing how many people are interested in attending and participating.
The new Miss Hozhoni is Talia White. When
asked how long it takes to organize Hozhoni Days,
she said, “Wow! It takes a long time…Wanbli Ota is
the host organization that sponsors Hozhoni Days
Pow Wow and events prior. It requires a lot of
patience, time management, and great teamwork for
Hozhoni Days to become a reality. Our club has not a
lot of members but we have a lot of enthusiasm, and
it’s been great working with everyone. More specifically Hozhoni Days requires a lot of money, so a lot
of grant writing and sponsorship is required.”
The head dancers were Corey Jefferson and
Angela. The responsibilities of the head dancers are
to lead the rest of the dancers out and encourage the
other dancers to dance with vigor. Head dancers are
nominated by the Powwow committee. You have to
be recognized in the community and someone would
nominate you.
this
inside issue
National News/
Climate Justice................2
Corey started dancing when he was a child, then
he quit and started again when he was 15. Corey
chooses to dance for those who are unable to dance
and who wish to dance.
Angela has been dancing for twelve years.
Moreorless grew up around it and that is why Angela
chooses to dance.
ence coming from Rock Springs, NM.
The first category, which took place at a standing
room only Native American center on April 24, was a
traditional foods showcase, in which the contestants
displayed some of their favorite traditional food.
Talia showed the audience how to make Navajo bluemush sweet-corn tamales, an old Indian treat.
Chanelle used blue bird to help tell a story of the origins of frybread and Indian tacos.
The next event, which took place at the CUB ballroom, was the traditional and modern talent presenta-
Please See “Miss Hozhoni,” Page 7
The new Miss Hozhoni Talia White (left) takes a quick second from the busy night to pose with former
Miss Hozhoni Savannah Spurlock.
Native Art at CSWS.......3
Hozhoni PHOTOS..........4
Film Show/
Poem: “Chizzie”..............5
Help with your Essays....7
Olmec-African Link?/
Village Gathering............6
Indigenous Games/
Powwow Results..............8
April 4, 2008
Page 2
Intertribal News
IN Student Editorial
The Intertribal News welcomes the comments of its readers. If you would like to express your opinions,
please write us a letter. All letters must include the name and contact information of the author. Letters
may be edited for length and journalistic concerns.
Southwest Climate
Justice Summit
Indian News-
Piestewa, Baseball, IHS, NARF Make News
By Asa K. Washines
This new section will feature news from Indian
Country that you should be aware of. From local, to
state, to federal, hopefully this article will try to keep
you informed on what’s going and how it relates to
you.
According to the East Valley Tribune, a newspaper out of Metro Phoenix, the U.S. Board of
Geographic Names is scheduled to vote April 10 on
the designation of Piestewa Peak, the craggy desert
mountain along state Route 51 that is still known by
many longtime residents as Squaw Peak.
Spc. Lori Piestewa was the first Native American
woman to be killed in combat while serving the military, but the process to rename the peak has taken five
years because policy states it takes a five year waiting
period before a geographic feature can be renamed
for someone who has dies.
It’s been five years.
The Iroquois Indian Museum will present,
“Baseball’s League of Nations: A Tribute to Native
American Baseball Player.” According to www.iroquoismuseum.org there will be an opening reception
on April 5.
The museum will showcase Louis Sockalexis
(Penobscot), the first Native American to play professional baseball in 1897, nearly a half century before
Jackie Robinson started to play. Other displays
include the use of baseball to assimilate Native children during the boarding school years, as well as an
exhibit on logos and mascots in baseball. The display
will run through December 15, 2008.
On Capitol Hill, chairman of the Senate Indian
Affairs Committee Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D has
plans to increase the IHS budget fiscal year with an
additional $1 Billion dollars.
The chairmen
announced this on March 4 to a crowd who was in
attendance for the semi-annual National Congress of
American Indians convention. After the Senate
passed S. 1200, the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act, Senator Dorgan is trying to pass Amendment 70
which would bring the IHS budget to $5.3 Billion.
According to the Associated Press, The Native
American Rights Fund (NARF) has filed a lawsuit
against energy giants in Alaska over global warming.
The city of Kivalina and a federally recognized tribe,
the Alaska Native village of Kivalina, sued Exxon
Mobil Corporation, eight other oil companies, 14
power companies and one coal company in a lawsuit
filed in federal court in San Francisco.
Kivalina is a traditional Inupiat Eskimo village of
about 390 people about 625 miles (1005 km) northwest of Anchorage, with the villages economy coming from fishing, but global warming as dramatically
affected the village’s way of life, the village might
have to relocate. The relocation of the village will
cost about $400 million. The lawsuit was filed on
behalf of Kivalina by two nonprofit legal organizations — The Center on Race, Poverty & the
Environment and the Native American Rights Fund
— plus six law firms.
April 18-20, 2008 in Tsaile,
AZ
Registration fee (incl. food, lodging,
and entertainment):
$5 for K-12 students
$10 for college students
Lodging: gym, camping (if weather
permits),
and dorm rooms (those w/ special
needs)
Travel Scholarship (optional)
Contact person for registration
packet:
Chelsea Chee
Campus Climate Challenge
Coordinator
Black Mesa Water Coalition
200 S. Leroux St. Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Email: [email protected]
Cell: (928) 637-5592
Office: (928) 556-3138
Fax: (928) 213-5905
INTERTRIBAL NEWS
A FORT LEWIS COLLEGE STUDENT PUBLICATION
Editors
Joey Dell
Vincent Salabye
Patricia Mahan
Asa Washines
Reporters
Chelsea Begay
Marion Harper
Ian Twiss
Now on the Web at:
http://nac.fortlewis.edu/intertribal_newsletter/
www/index.html
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rick Wheelock
[email protected]
The FLC Intertribal News is a publication of
Fort Lewis College students. Opinions expressed
herein are not necessarily those of the Native
American Center or of the College. The Intertribal
News extends its special thanks to the John and
Sophie Ottens Foundation, FLC Student Services, the
Native American Center and the Department of SW
Studies and American Indian Studies for their
generous support.
Any donation which would help us with our
production costs is greatly appreciated! Please
contact Dr. Rick Wheelock if you would like to make
a donation or send your contribution
to our return address.
April 4, 2008
Intertribal News
Page 3
Contemporary
Native Art at CSWS
By Joey Dell
A new exhibit of contemporary Native Art in the
Center of Southwest Studies opened on March 20th.
The exhibit, by guest curator Venaya Yazzie, is called
100 Contemporary Works by Native Artists and is
comprised primarily of paintings and carvings. The
pieces were chosen out of 240 items recently donated
by avid collectors and active community members
Bill and Sue Hensler. The Henslers have two children
who are alumni of Fort Lewis and they have been collecting Native Art for over 50 years. They wanted to
share their collection with the community and they
hope the exhibit will serve as inspiration to active and
burgeoning artists alike says Venaya Yazzie. The
grand opening on March 20th was a big success
drawing over 80 people from the campus and community.
The exhibit is split up regionally into five sections representing some of the different styles and
attitudes of Native Art across North America. The
Henslers collected mostly Southwest Native Art so
the majority of the exhibit is representative of that
region, though not to the degree of exclusivity. The
Navajo and Pueblo have their own sections as do
Northwest Coast, Plains, and East Coast Indians.
Yazzie explained that it is typically easier for viewers
to appreciate one style at a time than to observe all the
different types at once. The gallery has paintings dating from the 50’s as well as pieces as recent as 2008.
The text panels describe the emergence and evolution
of Native Art from Dorothy Dunn’s school in Santa
Fe in the 1920’s to the unique art coming out 60’s
70’s. The innovations of the 60’s and 70’s were a
departure from the iconic timeless “indian” style; a
new body of art emerged which many consider “contemporary.”
Guest curator Venaya Yazzie (Dine’/Hopi Artist)
is an artist herself as well as being a Fort Lewis graduate and a Professional Native American Intern in the
Center of Southwest Studies. Yazzie is also curating
the upcoming exhibit in the gallery called
Connections: Earth + Artists = Desert Rock
Resistance which opens on this summer solstice June
22nd. The upcoming exhibit is a tribute art show in
resistance to Desert Rock Coal Plant which is planned
to be built on Dine’ Nation near Shiprock and
Farmington. Connections is accepting submissions
for the show from all artists ages 10 and up until May
9th. The application for submissions can be found on
the Center of Southwest Studies website www.swcenter.fortlewis.edu.
Hopi Spring by Edgar Sumatzkuku (Hopi Pueblo)
is an original watercolor on paper, one of many
paintings repersentative of contemporary SW art.
The Center of Southwest Studies new exhibit “100 Contemporary Works by Native Artists” contains
pieces by artists from over 20 tribes, chronicling the emergence of Native Art as a contemporary art form.
Pictured left to right: Sue Hensler; Venaya Yazzie (Guest Curator); Kellan Mahoney (Student); Laura
Eliff (Assistant Curator/Registrar); Renee Morgan (Archives Assistant); Patrick Cruz (Assistant
Curator); Jeanne Brako (Interim Director/Curator); Julie Tapley-Booth (Events Coordinator/Office
Manager); Bill Hensler.
White Corn Girl is a Colorado Yule Marble carving created by FLC students under the direction of Terry Gasdia.
Page 4
Intertribal News
April 4, 2008
44th annual
Hozhoni
Days
Powwow...
Saturday afternoon’s Gourd Dance session with Southern Medicine. Southern Medicine was this year’s
Southern Host drum coming from the Four Corners area. Gourd Dancing is traditionally a mens dance
with Leonard Anthony being the Head Gourd Dancer for the weekend.
...Creates
Moments of
Community!
Garay Waya Keene from Acoma, NM next to Rose andClyde Benally of Cortez, CO. Clyde is a former
student who helped start and organized Hozhoni Days 44 years ago.
Northern Host drum R-Crew welcomes over 300 dancers into the arena Saturday night. Centered in photo is Seth Damon, who has not beenseen since the “49”.
April 4, 2008
Intertribal News
Page 5
“Chizzie” Little Navajos
Contributed by an Unknown Author
Remember back in the day
When we use to play
Hide and seek and twister
Thinking we were cowboys in our hats and spurs
Getting excited bout tribal clothes
We were just a bunch of “chizzie” little Navajos
Hoping for a cool jacket and light up shoes
We’d rather watch power rangers than the news
Fighting over who rode on the shopping cart
Cracking up when someone would fart
Remember playing with Hot Wheels and GI Joes
We were just a couple of chizzie Navajos
We use to wear old beat up rags
Jumping off the shack with plastic bags
Seeing if we could fly
Playing with fire, thinking we were sly
We use to believe in Santa, tooth fairy, and the
Easter bunny
Thinking five dollars was a lot of money
Running around without a jacket and a runny nose
We were just a couple of chizzie little Navajos
We used to fight over the swings at school
Sitting in the back of the bus because it was cool
Stealing chicken eggs to make mud pie
Daring each other to give it a try
Leaving milk in the snow to make ice cream
Sleeping with grandma when we had a bad dream
Wearing tight “hand me downs”
Playing guns with cool action sounds
Fighting over ninja turtles and GI Joes
We were just a couple of chizzie little Navajos
Playing in the river after it rained
Back then it was all fun and games
Seems like yesterday we had our mud ball wars
Getting mad because of our chores
Remember using cardboards to go sledding when it
snowed
By the time we were nine we could drive off road
We went through a lot of stuff
All em’ beatings made us tough
Weren’t we just a bunch of little punks?
Thinking dad and our uncles were the coolest drunks
We’d laugh when we got spanked
We went swimming in the water tanks
Remember hiding in the bushes from the school bus
And grandma Begay would use her cane to grab us
Remember using a car battery to watch TV shows
We were just a couple of chizzie little Navajos
Turning the antenna till the TV was clear
It all feels like just last year
We were young and chizzie
Wooly riding with the sheep and gl’izhii
Herding cattle and going to squaw dances with nali
You thought lamb chops was funny
We were just a bunch of chizzie little Navajos
But life was a blast thanks to my bros!!
There will be drawings of various items after each film!
We will be selling tickets during the week in the lobby
of CUB Pub for a $1 each.
Must be present to win. Various items include, Envision
earrings, Happy Frejo CD, drum, and much more!
Page 6
Intertribal News
April 4, 2008
The Secret History
of the Olmec People
By Marion O. Harper III
Indigenous peoples from Africa and the
Americas have had a long a very intimate relationship
with one another. Nowhere is this more apparent than
in the ancient civilization of the Olmec people.
For several centuries there has been a racially
motivated determination by scientists and anthropologists to cover up or deny the African presence in
many ancient civilizations around the world. That
irrational pursuit is very apparent in the quest by
authorities to identify the origins and race of the
builders of the great Meso-American culture of the
Olmecs.
R.A. Jairazbhoy’s quote from the Quiche Mayan
book, Titulo Coyoi, clearly points to a West African
origin and influence for some of the cultural characteristics of Olmec artistic works, which portray Black
African types with Negritic features. The period in
which these observations were made by the Maya
may have been made anytime between 1800bce and
1000ad.
The book “A History of the African Olmecs”
published by 1st books library is the most fascinating
and detailed book available on the ancient Olmec civilization of Meso-America. Research and studies
conducted by Clyde Winters asserts that the Olmecs
were Africans from the Mandinka region of West
Africa. They used the Mende script to write and they
spoke the Mende language, the same language spoken
by Cinque in the movie Amistad.
In Veracruz, Mexico, on the Yucatan peninsula,
there are dozens of huge carved-stone heads representing the image of the founders of that culture and
their physical features are clearly Africoid in appearance.
In conclusion, until we as indigenous peoples
become more assertive in reclaiming our lost heritage
we will continue to be marginalized and ignorant of
our great contributions to the ancient and modern civilizations.
Hard working volunteers were the backbone of the Hozhoni Days Powwow, as always. Here Dr. Chris
Jocks, left helps students, including Ian Twiss, at the snack bar.
April 4, 2008
Page 7
Intertribal News
End of Term Blues? -
Finding Help for
Challenging Essays
By Patricia Mahan
As another semester and school year comes to a
close, many students are scrambling to write papers.
However, some students struggle with grammar.
Where can I go to get help with my paper?
There are many places on campus where students
can go to get their paper edited. Students can go to the
Writing Center, Academic Success Program (ASP),
the Program for Academic Advancement (PAA), and
the Native American Center (NAC).
The Writing Center is located in Jones 105b (formally Sage). The writing center is free to all students.
Students can stop by in person or call to make an
appointment.
Tutors are available through the Academic
Success Program that is located in Noble 280.
PAA provides drop in writing for its participants.
This semester there is two drop in tutors. PAA is
located in Juniper Hall. Sage Peterson who is available Monday’s and Wednesday’s 11:15 am-1:15 pm.
Zack Bratton who is available Tuesday 6:00-8:00 pm
and Thursday 6:30-7:30 pm.
The Native American Center is located in Miller
Student Center 120. The NAC offers tutoring in a
variety of classes.
Many students have all ready have made use of
these resources. These resources are very successful
at seeing that the student body succeeds. So what are
you waiting for?
Little Miss Southern Ute, Ellie Ruby Seibel, and
her mother Melanie Seibel were among the crowd
and acitve on the dance floor at this year’s powwow.
The three contestants show off their talents in the traditional foods portion of the Miss Hozhoni Pageant.
From left, Caryn Hacker, Chanelle Benally, and Talia White with former Miss Hozhoni Sanvvanah
Spurlock looking on.
Miss Hozhoni, From Page One-
First and Second Attendants Share Honors
tions. Caryn showed off her footwork by performing
a fancy shawl dance style. For her modern talent
, Caryn choreographed a dance mix of hip hop and
karate, where she is a black belt. Chanelle demonstrated how to traditionally dress a young Navajo
woman by using her younger sister as the example.
Then for her modern talent, she sang a beautiful song
by Mandi Moore, called “A walk to remember.” Talia
displayed her knowledge as she did some wool carding and finally spinning the wool. While she was
carding, Talia was singing a mountain song. For her
modern talent, she did some spoken word (a type of
poetry).
The following the traditional and modern talent
presentations, all three contestants were asked several questions, which were scored by the panel of
judges. The panel of judges consisted of various
members of the Fort Lewis community which included a faculty member, former Miss Hozhoni, the
Student Body President, a current Student Senator,
and an advisor from Program for Academic
Advancement.
The week long pageant came to an end, as the for-
Michael Salabiye, this year’s arena director, gave
a talk on the history and lore of powwow at the
Native American Center March 27th.
mer Miss Hozhoni was sung an honor song as she
gave up her crown. Margaret Talia White and her
court will represent the Native American community until next year, which will mark the 45th year of
Hozhoni Days.
First Attendant Caryn Hacker (left) and Second
Attendant Chanelle Benally (right) receive honors
for all their hard work during the pageant weekend.
Page 8
North American Indigenous Games -
April 4, 2008
Intertribal News
Powwow Results -
Hozhoni Days Powwow Winners Announced
Team Colorado
Men
Jr. Girls
Prepares for Native Fancy Men 1 Spike Draper
Fancy/Jingle
1
Dmeatrice Miller
2
Isaian Bob
2
Tanisha Beetso
3
Amos Yazzie III
3
Jessica Johnson
Games
Grass Men
Traditional
Women
Fancy
Jingle Dress
Traditional
Teen Boys
Fancy
Grass
Traditional
Teen Girls
Fancy shawl
Jingle
Jr. Boys
Traditional
Fancy/Grass
Neal Thunder Heart
Wesley Windyboy
George Bearskin
Nathan Largo
Bruce LeClaire
Michael Grant
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
Antonina Dee
Richelle Donashey
Raenell Scott
Shannon Butso
Teri John
Amber WhiteClay
Vikki Joe
Sharon Brokeshoulder
Mychal Grant
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
Amos Yazzie IV
Lance Yazzie
Ty Johnson
Kevin Austin
Johnnie Johnson
Justine Lee
Aaron Woody
Marlan Harria
Micheal Grant
1
2
3
Arianne Sheka
Dee Dee Pacheco
Ria Thundercloud
1
2
3
1
2
3
Alyssa Woody
Denette Chee
LaShoutay Bizardie
Tierra Draper
Kaylyn LeClaire
Mariah Bearskin
1
2
3
1
2
3
Talon Tippeconnie
Tyler Yazzie
Eddie Munoz
Keshaun Begay
Harley Benally
Seneca Martin
1
Audrey Brokeshoulder
2
Brianna GoodTracks-Alires
3
Jalene Vigil
Golden Age Men
1
Norman Largo
2
Allen Paguin
3
Tommy Draper
Golden Age Women
1
Mary Jane Caustee
2
Delores Antonio
3
Kathleen Taylor
Drum Contest 1
12 Gauge - Ian Thompson
2 Sun Eagle - Delvin Keeswood
3
The Horses - Kenneth Brown
Another Hozhoni Days Powwow is history thanks to all of you who made this year’s many
events memorable and fun!
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Durango, CO
Permit No. 78
team closer together as friends, which then translates
back to closeness back at home. The stories of their
travels also help to motivate younger generations to
stay active within the sports that they play which creates an environment of a healthier lifestyle.
NAIG is not just sports but a livelihood for our
young people. It helps them stay active and healthy
and gives them a chance to meet new people and travel around to see new places. NAIG has given young
people to better themselves as well as better their
communities. It has given young Indigenous people a
place to show off their talents in a healthy and positive environment. For more information on this year’s
North American Indigenous Games please visit their
website at www.cowichan2008.com. If possible make
it up to British Columbia to help support or young
athletes and future leaders.
Tradtional
INTERTRIBAL NEWS
Native American Center
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO 81301-3999
Traditional
1
2
3
1
2
3
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
By Ian Twiss
The scene is set with some 10,000 young people
showing up from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Competitors all here for one reason, to compete in the
North American Indigenous Games. Started in 1990
the North American Indigenous Games or NAIG for
short was created under the Olympic Committee to
support Indigenous athletics. In 2006 NAIG was held
in Denver Colorado where nearly 10,000 athletes
came to participate representing almost 1,000 tribes.
This year NAIG will be hosted in the Cowichan
Valley in British Columbia, Canada, August 3-10.
The Cowichan tribe is the single largest tribe in
British Columbia with 3,800 hundred members. As
this years host the Cowichan tribe is expecting the
around the same number of participants and will be
welcoming, among all the participants, team
Colorado.
This year team Colorado will be made up of
around 50 athletes comprised of the two reservations
in Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute
tribes. Team Colorado will be participating in six
events this year basketball, volleyball, archery, swimming, wrestling and golf with teams consisting of 1319 year old athletes.
NAIG is more than just athletes competing for
medals or prestige, in many ways it is a means to cultural survival. According to Jenn Ruybal, a participant of NAIG in 2002 the event provided a place for
her and her teammates to meet and interact with other
players from all over the country. NAIG was held up
in Canada in 2002 where Jenn described it as a place
where she was able to “grow up and experience life
away from home.”
NAIG gives young athletes from all over Indian
Country an opportunity to travel to other places and
see how different tribal groups live, especially when
athletes form here in the U.S. have the opportunity to
travel into Canada and see that side of things. Jenn
relayed a story of how she and her teammates had real
troubles in Canada with currency conversion and
whether or not they were being ripped off or not.
These types of things may seem insignificant but they
are real life lessons that young people must learn. But
beyond life lessons NAIG is a time to enjoy one
another and network with other people.
This year’s assistant chef de mission for team
Colorado is Janet Mosher, recreation manager at the
Sun Ute Community Center. As the assistant chef de
mission Janet is the second in command and is in
charge of gathering the different teams and coaches as
well as setting up practices before the teams leave for
Canada. Obviously teams do not want to travel all
that way just to lose but it is much more than just a
sports competition.
Janet has plans on taking the athletes on different
cultural excursions to help show them the different
side of things. There are plans for team Colorado to
go on a whale watching trip. Let’s be honest here
there are absolutely zero whales swimming around
the four corners area. These types of opportunities
allow these young people to gain a larger world view
and then bring these experiences back home to where
ever they may be from.
These experiences are not just for the individual
team but also for the community in which they come
from. Jenn described her experience as bringing her