Diné Language 2009 Summer Classes

Phoenix Indian Center will have Summer Diné language classes from June 15 to July 25.
Pass the Word!

Diné Culture Classes: June 17 -July 22, 2009
Instructor: Freddie Johnson
Wednesday nights: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Learn about self identity using the Diné Clan Philosophy through Diné Oral Traditions, Guest speakers and presentations.

Children’s Navajo Singing Class: June 20-July 25, 2009
Instructor: Jolyana Bitsuie
Classes will be held every Saturday. 11:30am - 1:30pm
For children ages 7-13, this class will focus on learning basic Navajo vocabulary words, stories, and songs through fun hands-on activities and projects.

*Beginning Navajo Class: June 15-July 22, 2009
Instructor: Jolyana Bitsuie
Monday and Wednesday: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The class is for the beginning student who wants to learn the Navajo Language. The class will focus on the sound and alphabet system as an introduction to speaking and writing.

*Navajo Literacy: June 20-July 25, 2009
Instructor: Jolyana Bitsuie
Classes will be held every Saturday. 9:00am - 11:00am
This class is for fluent speakers; learn how to read and write in Navajo through poetry, songs, and literature.

*Classes will require a $25 materials fee. Classes are not for credit.

All classes will teach the proper Diné Introduction.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FREDDIE JOHNSON AT (602)264-6768 EXT.2305 Fax (602)274-7486 or Email: fjohnson@phxindcenter.org

PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER
GED Classroom
4520 N. Central Ave., Suite 250
Phoenix, AZ 85012

What An Experience!

The week of jam-packed events is over and we have much to celebrate! Thank you to everyone who participated in the ASU commencement and Native American Convocation. You guys were rock stars (quite literally) and it was a great experience for the children and adults. We want to say a big thank you to Jolyana for shepherding our group through two major events. We also want to say thank you to ASU for having us show our culture and treating us very well.

This post will be picture heavy since we have A LOT to share! We had a great time being part of the event on Wednesday, which was historic in and of itself with President Obama set to speak at the Commencement that evening. We had a great time preparing, singing, and enjoying the event from the suites in Sun Devil Stadium.

We arrived at Sun Devil stadium the day before to do a soundcheck and practice. We all started to get the pre-show jitters and reality started to sink we were actually going to sing on a BIG stage. The girls (Amy, Kahara, Sophie, Larissa, Zoey, Allisa, Kaitlin and Monica) practiced the basket dance.



Valerie, Petra, Ann and Antonio helping check the mikes and sound.



It was a scorcher of a day with 102+ degree temps and more than 70,000 people expected to show up for the ceremony. It was quite a sight to see so many people there to check out our singing (J/K).



All the adults and children lined up ready to start the performance.



Kahara, Monica, Zoey and Sophie striking a pose (Leontine and Ann in back).



Our group on stage. We did Shikeyah Nizhoni Benashniih, Dzilth Dadiyinii, and the Basket Dance. We give credit to everyone for learning the Basket Dance and song in less than 2 weeks. It was a lot of work but it really paid off. We thank the girls for putting in so many hours of practice!



After our performance, we got a chance to relax and enjoy the show. Allison, Jackie, Jeron, and Kaitlin watching the festivities. We want to say a huge thank you to Jackie for helping get us prepared and dressed. You were a big part of our performance and appreciate all your help!



Larissa, Jaime and Judy also catch their breath and unwind.



President Obama delivered a great speech and it was wonderful to be there in person to hear him deliver it. There were a number of Native American graduates in the ceremony (more than 300).



Antonio and his girls, Allison and Kaitlin, gearing up for another performance at the ASU Native American Convocation ceremony on Saturday. This was a neat event since we performed at the Gammage Auditorium (where Broadway plays usually are performed in the Valley). The acoustics were great.



We had the chance to meet Peterson Zah, former Navajo chairman and now special Assistant to ASU President Michael Crow. He works on Native American student issues at ASU and we were happy he was there to catch our performance. He said everyone did a great job and was glad to see us perform.



Great job everyone!

No Class Tomorrow

Hi Everyone. There will be no Navajo class tomorrow, May 9 due to Mother's Day weekend. We will meet at Jolyana's on Monday at 5:30. We have new details on the event for Wednesday. Just sending a reminder in case anyone decides to drive to PIC (J/K).

Take care and have a great Mother's Day!

Upcoming Singing Events!

Most everyone was at class this Saturday, so thanks to everyone for making it! It is exciting to have the opportunity to do these next singing events!

ASU Main Commencement, Wednesday, May 13th, 2:30pm
We will also do a practice session on Tuesday evening, May 12th, Time TBA
Our performance will be at 5:48, and be 5 minutes total.
We will go in 2 vans to this event and so will meet at the Phoenix Indian Center

ASU Native Convocation Ceremony, Saturday, May 16 at 9am
Gammage Auditorium, ASU
We will have about 30 minutes for this performance.

So far we will do 2 songs (Shikeyah Nizhoni and Dzilth Dadayinii) and a Basket Dance to the Feather Dance Song from Delphine Tsinajinnie's album Mother's Word. Here is the song sung by Jolyana.

Basket Dance Jolyana by Dine Class

The following girls will be doing the dance:
Zoey
Kahara
Kaitlin
Larissa
Alissa
Amy
Sophie
Monica

We will be practicing Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5th and 6th and also next week Monday, May 11th at Jolyana's house. We will meet at 5:30 and feel free to bring a potluck or food to share.

On Wednesday, bring your traditional outfits and baskets . We will see what else we will need to coordinate. Any questions or if I left anything out, let me know or give Jolyana a call.

See you Tuesday!

Be There or Be Square!

Be in Class this Weekend!
Jolyana has some really exciting news to share with you and she is urging you to make it to this week's class on Saturday! We hope you can make it!

We are also working on our new song called The First Song by Jay Begaye. We are trying to work out some of the melodies in time for our upcoming engagements. Some of the notes are low but we are trying to modify them to make it easier for the children to sing.

Navajo Song Playlist
I am also working on preparing the playlist for you to access. I upload all the music files to Imeem and so in my next blog, I will share that with you so you can access the songs all in one place.

Take care everyone and will see you in class!

New Songs!

We learned some new songs and are gearing up for some new singing engagements. We will announce the events as we get closer to the dates. We hope you have a great time sharing and practicing these songs. I'm sorry this blog posting is a little late but I had computer trouble and couldn't download the songs until today.

Dahdiniilghaazh (Fry Bread Song)
This is a cute song regarding one of our favorite eats! Frybread. This is a good song to teach children.

Dahdiniilghaazh by Dine Class


Lii Shee Holo Dooleel
This is a song about horses (white, yellow, and black).

Lii Shee Holoo Doleel by Dine Class


When I See You Again
This is a really pretty song. It uses both Navajo and English.

When I See You Again by Dine Class

Phoenix Indian Center Gala

The students and parents did a wonderful job at the annual PIC Gala on Saturday. The students shared what they learned throughout the evening. The group sang during the Silent Auction and opened the festivities with the Blessing Song. We want to thank the PIC for hosting us and making us part of the event!

Thanks everyone for making this a success!






No Class this Weekend
Classes will be cancelled this Saturday due to the Easter holiday. We will resume next week. Any questions, feel free to contact Jolyana. Have a great weekend and see you next week.

Jaimie Nakai and family

Ann Begay and family