The American Indian College Fund’s Indigenous Visionaries initiative is to develop Native women leaders who have a foundation in Indigenous knowledge, culture, and history, and who will bring visionary leadership to Native communities in the future. Mentored by a tribal college faculty member with expertise in their field, Indigenous Visionaries fellows engage in research and programming that builds on and expands their studies. Through this mentoring relationship, fellows participate in community projects, learn how to address tribal and local issues, understand what it takes to create change in a community, and experience possibilities for a potential career in their field of choice.
Dr. Christine Ami, Navajo Cultural Arts Program (NCAP) Grant Manager, was selected by the College Fund as a mentor for the 2020-2021 Indigenous Visionaries Program. Accompanied by two fellows from Diné College’s Navajo Cultural Arts Program: BFA Weaving Student Tamerra Martin and Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Student, Valene Hatalthie, the mentorship explores culturally centered female roles in the areas of leadership and how those roles intertwine with Diné cultural arts.
The three Visionaries (mentor and mentees) are weavers – therefore, throughout their explorations of cultural art leadership roles, the framework of weaving, unweaving, and re-weaving serves as theoretical, practical, and visionary pathways for the mentorship. These sensorial and extra intellectual methodologies provide a Navajocentric lens to previous studies on the Diné traditional matrilineal system, allowing for critically analysis of how academic approaches such as feminist studies (including, Indigenous feminism) dialogue with and/or misunderstand of Indigenous ways of knowing. Furthermore, and perhaps most pertinently, this Indigenous re-search approach includes the goals of re-focusing on (1) engaging Diné feminine leadership responsibilities, (2) understanding Diné cultural gender obligations, and (3) celebrating Diné accomplishments, regardless of gender.
As part of their fellowship, the Visionaries will conduct interviews, lead workshops, and attend personal and professional development events all while weaving along the way. The fellowship will culminate in weavings produced by the Visionaries and their mentor, accompanied with their fellowship findings in storytelling format. Through this community and art engaged process, the fellows will learn not only how to hear their community members but to critically listen to their teachings. Through that critical listening component, they will be able to establish rapport with community members, grow as community knowledge holders and learn how to build reciprocal relationships. The ultimate goal is that these emerging leaders refine their skills advocate for themselves and for those around them. It also gives them the tools to find or, in many cases, create a community that functions not only as networking but also as a creative safe space for personal growth.
Yá'á'tééh, I am a Diné woman of the Red Cheek People Clan; born from the Water's Edge People; my maternal grandfather's clan is Red Streak People and my paternal grandfather's clan is Coyote Pass people. I am from a small town called Navajo, New Mexico. My name is Tamerra Martin.
I have always been interested in Navajo traditional weaving; however, when my grandmother passed on so did all her teachings about weaving. When I realized that Diné College offered a weaving program with the Navajo Cultural Arts Program , I took it as my opportunity to learn traditional weaving. I've kept an open mind through this program and have learned so much. I am currently seeking my first degree - A Bachelor's of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Weaving. In return, I am looking forward to teaching other's, in hopes of perpetuating community outreach.
Interviewing Indigenous Visionaries: A Navajo Weaver, Gloria Begay
The Twill Weavers Gift: Indigenous Visionary, Vigie Fausto
Felting Workshop: Saturday, April 24th, 1-4:30pm (MDT)
FaceBook Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253555293078695/
Beading Workshop: Record Workshop
FaceBook Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/203082001587292
Valene Hatalthie I am Valene Hatathlie, Biihbitoodnii Nishli, Todichiinii bashchiin, Ashihii dashicheii, adoo Tse deshgishnii dashinali. I am originally from Coalmine Mesa, Arizona in the Western Agency. I attended Diné College from 2004 to 2006, studying Diné Studies. After which, I transferred to Arizona State University and received my B.S. in Agricultural Business.
In 2020, I decided to return to Diné College to learn more about weaving as a student in the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program. I enjoy the twill weave because it deals more with numbers. Being an accountant, I can relate my professional life to my artistry skills. My ultimate goal is to live to old age. My grandparents told me that a Navajo’s ultimate goal is to live to old age. At the same time, I would like to leave a legacy that teaching people to adapt to change all while keeping a strong cultural identity. I look forward to refining business perspectives through the eye of my loom and as a weaver.
Interviewing Indigenous Visionaries: A Navajo Director of Corrections, Delores Greyeyes
Recaping Indigenous Visionaries: The Burden and Blessing of Cultural Preservation as a Navajo Weaver
Wool Processing Workshop: Friday, April 23rd, 1-4:30pm (MDT)
FaceBook Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/769910953956011/
Sue V. Begay*My name is Sue V. Begay, I am from Dennehotso, Arizona. My clans are Mud born for the Towering House clan, my maternal grandfather are the Edgewater clan, and my paternal grandfather are the Redhouse clan. I am a fifth generation weaver. I was a cohort member of the 2016-2017 Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate program. In 2018, I received my AA in Diné studies and I am currently seeking a BFA in Navajo weaving. My vision is to have weavers back in my community to learn the stories that are associated with weaving.
Indigenous Visionaries: Applying to the 2021 Heard's Indian Market
*Sue was a partial fellow, exploring with the NCAP visionaries from November - February. During this time she learned how to engage in the southwest Indian art show.
Dr. Christine AmiYá’át’ééh. Dóone’é nishlínígíí éí Táchii’nii nishlí, Bilagáana báshíshchíín, T’ó’aheedl’ííníí dashicheii, Bilagáana dashinálí. My name is Christine Ami and I am an associate professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Diné College, teaching Indigenous Research Methods, Indigenous Resilience, and other Native American Studies classes. Additionally, as the Navajo Cultural Arts Program (NCAP) Grant Manager, I am responsible for programing associated with the Navajo Cultural Arts Certificate Program, the Navajo Cultural Arts BFA Programs as well as various cultural arts lectures and workshops offered throughout the year.
My goal as the Indigenous Visionaries Mentor is to provide insight into the practical maneuvering associated with my role as a cultural arts grant and program manager. This includes the practices of prioritization, self-accountability, community engagement, cultural respect, and balancing work and family responsibilities. This perspective will provide the mentees with an example of how Native leaders holistically approach their work and personal life. Often, we, as a community, celebrate the work successes of our Navajo leaders without much light dedicated to how they ground themselves with family (or if they don’t). This fellowship will allow for the mentees to observe how I balance my responsibilities and obligations as a Navajo mother/wife and as a College community member.
At the end of this fellowship period, I hope to (1) curate an exhibit: Meta-Narratives: The Memoirs in Navajo Weavings featuring textiles by Tammy, Valene, and myself, (2) produce an academic article based on the exhibit's relationship with Indigenous feminism, and (3) create 2 NAS classes - NAS208: Native American Women and NAS308: Native American Gender Studies.
Indigenous Visionary: Self-Determination, Personal Accountability, Humility, Self-Care
Indigenous Visionaries: The Vulnerabilities of Storytelling, Memoir Writing and Weaving
Playing Navajo Weaver: Cultural Appropriation from Within
Diné Cultural Artisan Holistic Well-Being Self Reflection
Politics of Distrust: The Navajo Nation's Use of Propaganda Devices Recruiting COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Participants