ROCK POINT STUDENTS TAKE LOCAL FIELD TRIP TO MAKE OFFERINGS TO NATURE TO OBTAIN KÉSHJÉÉ’ PARAPHERNALIA
January 11, 2024, Rock Point, AZ - Bennie Begay, t’áá Tsé Nitsaa Deezʼáhídóó nihahastói óltaʼídóó daʼółtaʼígíí dóó báʼóltaʼí dóó ndaalnishígíí chʼaaneizhʼeezh. Tsáʼásziʼ yaa náádaʼiisniiʼ dóó tʼáá bí ádaanídaʼoozkan. Kétʼą́ą́z, Tóláshtʼóshí, dóó Bee Aditsiłí hadeidiilaa. Díí dį́įdi bee tó nídaʼiitsił dooleeł. Óhooʼaah, be’iina’ dóó beʼoodląʼ átʼéego yee deíkáah dooleeł.
On Tuesday, January 09, 2024, Rock Point local Medicine Man, Bennie Begay and RPCS high school students, Diné Language Teacher, and staff took a field trip locally to collect essential items for the Késhjéé’ and then prepare them. These items were collected locally from the residential area of a RPCS legendary Diné Culture Teacher Thomas Littleben, Sr. Mr. Begay told his stories and guided the students through the procedures for the offering, and then taking the items from nature. Students took up the opportunity to pray for blessings and protection.
RPCS is finishing up Series 1 of Winter Culture Days this week with four nights of Késhjéé’ which started Tuesday with elementary students and parents. The idea is to create a more private low risk non-competitive learning environment for those that are new and curious about the Késhjéé’ ceremony. Middle school students and parents had a Wednesday night session and the high school students and parents had a Thursday night session. The final night of Késhjéé’, Friday, January 12, 2024, will be open to the public and communities throughout Navajo.
There are Culture Days each season which aim to provide opportunities for intergenerational transmission of Diné language and culture. Many of the students’ parents are fluent speakers of Diné. Students are encouraged to bring parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts so Diné language can be used between generations. Families are then asked to provide the same opportunities at home so that Diné language learning is supported at home.
Another facet is to develop a positive indigenous identity by experiencing and practicing their culture. This is our culture based teaching and learning.