Dine Storytelling Tomorrow Night

Diné Book of Life-The Crystal Fire Child

presented by Steve Darden and the Phoenix Indian Center, Inc.

“The hand is a veritable book. This Diné book is to be our daily guide to honor the teaching that we are all crystal fire children. As crystal fire children we learned that each circumstance and/or situation which we encounter in life must be looked at from a minimum of twelve different perspectives. The Diné refer to themselves as Bíla’ashdla’ii (five-fingered ones). This presentation will also entail the Diné person's responsibility for stewardship of this book of life and the sacred elements and other gifts offered for our daily utilization by the Holy People. As a crystal fire child we grow into maturation obtaining wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and insight to guide us along with the journey songs. Each direction and sacred mountain offers each Diné person the gifts to guide us in our interactions with all of life here upon Mother Earth and within Father Sky.” Respectfully, Steven A. Darden

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Phoenix Indian Center

6^th Floor Conference Room

4520 N. Central Ave.

Phoenix AZ 85012

This event is FREE and open to the public.

There will be refreshments available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FREDDIE JOHNSON (602)264-6768

Or email: fjohnson@phxindcenter.org website: www.phxindcenter.org

Beginning the Loom Warping

We have been making excellent progress in the weaving class the last two weeks. Everyone is excited to set up their looms and is preparing the warp for each one. There is a lot of preparation involved before the actual weaving can began. We will be weaving miniature rugs to make it easier to learn.

Jolyana’s mother came from the reservation to demonstrate the warping and it involves wrapping many rows of wool or warping wool around two separate dowels or posts. The tension used in warping is very important since we are trying to prevent the warp from breaking but still remain tight enough to produce a good weave.

Everyone then began warping their own looms. Many had family members who came to help at our second class and it was a great day of camaraderie as everyone helped each other set up the warping of the looms.

After the warping was complete, we began the twining process at the top and bottom. This involves twisting and incorporating the twine into each of the warping threads and a strip of wool. This will hold the warping threads together when it is moved to the loom.

A selvage is completed at the each end and now the warp is ready to be tied and stretched onto two dowels. The dowels will be attached to the main loom.

After the warp is attached to the loom, it is tightened with suspension and tension. Some used ropes and others used cables.

Once the loom is up, a heddle stick is set in every other warp thread so that every other warp can be picked up and separated to add the wool. A shed stick will be used to pick up the other warp thread. This was a fun process and requires concentration.

We met Labor Day weekend for class but it was raining and storming so we decided to use the time to create a design for our rugs. Jolyana suggested making a simple pattern using grid paper since it will be the first rug for some. Once the rains stopped, we finished setting up some of the looms. Next class we will be helping everyone finish up their warping and creating their shed sticks. The weaving process will begin after this.

Freddie just announced he received a donation of wool for carding and spinning. Let the fun begin. For many, we remember carding the wool for our grandmothers, mothers and aunties. Using the spindle was always interesting too.

Weaving Class Has Begun!

A nice-sized group of women and children gathered for the Fall Navajo Weaving Class this past Saturday. Many have grandmothers and mothers who weave and are now interested in taking the class as a way to continue this cultural tradition for themselves and their children. Jolyana Bistuie and Freddie Johnson discussed the many facets of Dine weaving and the cultural meaning/traditions behind the loom and the instruments used in weaving. As a class, we will learn the basic do's and don'ts involved in Dine weaving. Everyone is encouraged to bring items from home that they would like to share with the rest of the class including handouts, books, or rugs they have at home.

The class was encouraged to assemble their own looms or to purchase a loom through Jolyana or Freddie. There will be looms built by Freddie for future classes to use such as the one pictured here.


We also will have cultural consultants/weaving specialists bring in their items for sale for the class. While some participants have their own instruments/looms, others will have an opportunity to purchase needed items in class or through the program. Mary Walker from Weaving in Beauty brought battens and combs for sale and intends to come to future classes. You can also see the link to Weaving in Beauty in the blog sidebar if you would like more information about this group of women who is bringing weaving back to life.

Jolyana shared a beautiful rug woven by her grandmother as a wedding gift. Freddie also shared about the weaving done by his mother and her specialty in weaving "biil" (rug) dresses for family members and others.



This will be an exciting journey for many of us and we hope to show our progress week by week. In the next class we intend to add the warp to each of our looms. We will have more pictures to show you as the class and learning unfolds!

Diné Language Fall 2009 Classes!

Hurry and register today! Classes start August 22nd.

Children’s Diné Language Classes

Mesa Public School, Saguaro Room #209 (2^nd Floor): Starts: August 24^th, 2009

Monday nights: 6:00 to 7:00pm – Instructor Freddie Johnson

Learn about Diné language from a traditional perspective using the Diné way of teachings. Open to all ages, families welcomed. This will be a Beginning Navajo class, classes will involve activities, games, and storytelling. FREE!

Diné Culture Classes

Phoenix Indian Center, Starts August 26^th, 2009

Every Wednesday night 6:00-7:30pm - Instructor; Freddie Johnson

Learn about self identity using the Diné Clan Philosophy through Diné Oral Traditions. Lots of Storytelling through videos and literature. Great for all ages. FREE!

Beginning Navajo II

Phoenix Indian Center, Starts August 22^nd, 2009

Every Saturday 9:00am – 11:00am – Instructor Jolyana Bitsuie

This is a continuing class of Beginning Navajo I from the Summer session. New students are welcomed to join. Materials fee - $25.00

NEW CLASS!! Introduction to Navajo Weaving

Phoenix Indian Center, Starts August 22^nd, 2009

Every Saturday, 11:30am to 1:30pm: Instructor; Jolyana Bitsuie

Learn how to weave by setting up your own loom. Stories will be shared about the importance of weaving and how it plays a role in Diné society. Students are required to pay a materials fee of $35.00, there will be additional tools that the student will be responsible for acquiring such as the weaving comb, the batten and a loom. LIMITED TO THE FIRST 15 STUDENTS WHO PAY THEIR MATERIALS FEE.

Classes are not for credit.

Non Navajos wishing to take these classes may do so for a fee of $150. Classes are free to Navajo families in the greater Maricopa County. Non-Navajo inlaws to Diné families are welcomed.

LOCATION OF CLASSES:

MESA PUBLIC SCHOOL, Student Services Building, Saguaro Room #209 (2^nd Floor), 1025 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, AZ 85021

PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER, GED Classroom, 2nd floor, 4520 N. Central Ave., Suite 250, Phoenix, AZ 85012

All classes will teach the proper Diné Introduction.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT; FREDDIE JOHNSON AT (602) 264-6768 EXT.2305 Fax (602 )274-7486

Email fjohnson@phxindcenter.org website: www.phxindcenter.org

New Songs!

Hi Everyone! It's been a busy summer with the class learning a few new songs. We now have some of them available.

Ch'iiyaan Biyin (Food Song)
This is a song about food (ch'iiyaan). A good way to incorporate familiar words for different types of food. It is similar to the tune, "If You're Happy and You Know It." A good way to teach younger children words involving food.

Ch'iyaan Biyiin by Dine Class


Let's Dance Over Here
This is a social song. This is a new song.

Let's Dance Over Here by Dine Class

Shi Awee Alts'iisi (My Little Baby)
This is a nice lullaby for the little ones. This is a song by Sharon Burch.

Shi Awee Alts'iisi by Dine Class

I will post more songs later and develop a playlist for anyone who wants to keep a record of all the songs taught in the Summer class session.

Rug Weaving Class (New this Fall)
Keep posted for information on Fall session classes. There are a number of new ideas including a Rug Weaving class for anyone interested. The Rug Weaving class will involve miniature, individual rugs that the students can learn to weave. Contact Jolyana at jolyanabegay@yahoo.com if you need more information. She will have more information as we get closer to the class starting date regarding materials and fee for the class.

ASU Commencement Video and Hweeldi Lecture

I hope you are having a great start to the summer! There are a couple of things I wanted to forward including an announcement for an upcoming event. Have a great summer and travel safely if you are going anywhere for the summer. Hope to see you soon!

ASU Commencement Video
Petra forwarded a recent video clip offered by her friend. It shows the group at the ASU commencement. It's a nice video of our performance. Group performance starts at about 3 minutes. Enjoy!



Hweeldi Lecture
Phoenix Indian Center, Inc. and Mesa Public School present:
The Diné Long Walk
By: Mr. Bennie Silversmith
June 24, 2009
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Mesa Public School - Student Services Center
Grand Canyon Room 1025 N. Country Club
(SE corner of 10th Street and Country Club - South of Brown Road)
Mesa, AZ
Free Admission/Free Refreshments

An unforgettable Diné History lesson! Thousands of Diné people; infants to elders, the sick and the weak, were forced to march hundreds of miles away from their sacred homelands to a Fort Sumner in Bosque Redondo, NM. Diné people were held captives for five years before the signing of the Treaty of 1868.

Long Walk Video
I recently found this on youtube, coincidentally while viewing the ASU video. It's a 10 part series regarding the Long Walk. It's a documentary that I did not hear of previously and if you have a chance, take a look at it. You will have to click on each part individually to continue viewing, it's not offered in one video so you will have to click on the next part. It has many interviews with historians, elders and community members discussing this traumatic event.

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