Project Proposal
From March 2nd to the 20th I will be engaged in an intensive internship on the Third Mesa of Hopi lands in the village of Bacavi, with the outdoor adventure and service learning school Adventures for Hopi that is catered to Hopi and Tewa youth. I will be engaged in helping my mentor and program director Marshall Masayesva develop Adventures for Hopi Youth by contacting and developing service learning partnerships with the community, as well as facilitating outdoor adventure activities and developing curriculum. I will also be engaged in helping launch a backpacking expedition to the confluence of the Grand Canyon from Third Mesa with the initiative of reclaiming cultural trails as well as foster healing and environmental awareness. I will help launch this expedition by contacting knowledgeable people, mapping routes from Third Mesa to San Francisco Peaks and organizing water, food, and cash stops along the way. Along with my mentor, I will be helping Community Rebuilds and their partnership with Adventures for Hopi in a 4 year project to build sustainable and affordable housing for third mesa Community Members.
From this opportunity I hope to gain an insight and understanding into what adventure and service indigenous educational models can do for youth, communities. and education at a large scale as well as develop skills and understanding around wilderness therapy/education and diverse values and ways of learning. Over all I have the academic goal of gaining as much rich cultural knowledge about the humanities as possible because it is one of my passions and I believe strengthening human kindness and relationship will be what changes the world for the better. This internship will immerse me in a culture with community and collaborative values as well as open my eyes to how to create meaningful lifelong discovery for myself and others.
At this point I imagine that I will produce a project that will give back to multiple communities. Through learning about holistic learning, I hope to both create curriculum for Adventures for Hopi with Marshall, as well as return to Animas and Durango with knowledge of deep adventure learning and visions of how to implement it in my community for my peers. I am interested in presenting how ways of education like adventures for hopi can reverse systems like the School to Prison Pipeline. I am very interested in how healing is brought to its full potential by making it an endeavor connected to a community and nature, this is one of the reasons why I am interested in helping to create Marshall's vision of a trek to the confluence of the Grand Canyon take form. My project my also have components of what healing and passion can be created in youths lives from experiences like this.
Before my internship I plan to become more familiar with Hopi culture, land, and approaches to learning so that I can be an informed component in helping Adventures for Hopi. I will have to be very open to any experiences that I may experience. I will have to let the wind fill me up, but also keep my goals of learning about adventure education, and therapy as well as cultures and systems that benefit different people in my mind. I will have to look at the big picture so that I can gain what is given to me and give what is asked of me. During the internship I will have to document all of the things that I am learning and doing so that I can have a huge pool of resources when constructing my project. I will also keep the prospect of my project in the back of my mind so that I can learn exactly what it will look like, by applying what people teach me about my interests to it.
I wanted to create an internship that was not mainstream or simple. I wanted to reach into resources and knowledge of other cultures and communities to create an experience where I could engage in wilderness therapy and education. To do this I had to be creative and wait because I was given some easier options for wilderness therapy in Durango. I had to be persistent and patient in finding contacts. When Jason got me in contact with Marshall I felt I had to be very creative, thorough, and honest about why I wanted to be a part of Adventures for Hopi. With the help of Zoe, Jason, and my family and the attention and passion that Marshall has brought to taking me as an intern, I feel I have an amazing experience in front of me.
I am very excited about this internship. I feel honored and passionate about the opportunity to dive into something that I am passionate about and learn from a culture that I think has much wisdom. I am nervous and excited because in truth I do not know what I am going to experience, I am going into the unknown and the mystery of life and its inspiring and nerve racking.
From this opportunity I hope to gain an insight and understanding into what adventure and service indigenous educational models can do for youth, communities. and education at a large scale as well as develop skills and understanding around wilderness therapy/education and diverse values and ways of learning. Over all I have the academic goal of gaining as much rich cultural knowledge about the humanities as possible because it is one of my passions and I believe strengthening human kindness and relationship will be what changes the world for the better. This internship will immerse me in a culture with community and collaborative values as well as open my eyes to how to create meaningful lifelong discovery for myself and others.
At this point I imagine that I will produce a project that will give back to multiple communities. Through learning about holistic learning, I hope to both create curriculum for Adventures for Hopi with Marshall, as well as return to Animas and Durango with knowledge of deep adventure learning and visions of how to implement it in my community for my peers. I am interested in presenting how ways of education like adventures for hopi can reverse systems like the School to Prison Pipeline. I am very interested in how healing is brought to its full potential by making it an endeavor connected to a community and nature, this is one of the reasons why I am interested in helping to create Marshall's vision of a trek to the confluence of the Grand Canyon take form. My project my also have components of what healing and passion can be created in youths lives from experiences like this.
Before my internship I plan to become more familiar with Hopi culture, land, and approaches to learning so that I can be an informed component in helping Adventures for Hopi. I will have to be very open to any experiences that I may experience. I will have to let the wind fill me up, but also keep my goals of learning about adventure education, and therapy as well as cultures and systems that benefit different people in my mind. I will have to look at the big picture so that I can gain what is given to me and give what is asked of me. During the internship I will have to document all of the things that I am learning and doing so that I can have a huge pool of resources when constructing my project. I will also keep the prospect of my project in the back of my mind so that I can learn exactly what it will look like, by applying what people teach me about my interests to it.
I wanted to create an internship that was not mainstream or simple. I wanted to reach into resources and knowledge of other cultures and communities to create an experience where I could engage in wilderness therapy and education. To do this I had to be creative and wait because I was given some easier options for wilderness therapy in Durango. I had to be persistent and patient in finding contacts. When Jason got me in contact with Marshall I felt I had to be very creative, thorough, and honest about why I wanted to be a part of Adventures for Hopi. With the help of Zoe, Jason, and my family and the attention and passion that Marshall has brought to taking me as an intern, I feel I have an amazing experience in front of me.
I am very excited about this internship. I feel honored and passionate about the opportunity to dive into something that I am passionate about and learn from a culture that I think has much wisdom. I am nervous and excited because in truth I do not know what I am going to experience, I am going into the unknown and the mystery of life and its inspiring and nerve racking.
Kwa Kwai A Poem of Gratitude.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai. Resounds against the secret fertility of the sands, and seeps through the souls of our feet, Pours through the molecules of our bodies and trumpets through the clear resonant skies above our heads.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
because We always thank our workers.
Thank you Thank you.
I hear this over and over again until it runs thick through my blood and gushes from the pores in my skin, and gratitude is re wrought in stuff of substance.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
The sun beats in all its splendor and radiance from the blue expanse that wheels above us and sterile stuffed worries begin to crumble.
blow like dust and dead leaves,
flaking from the pulsing red raw muscle that fills my chest.
Here I stand,
the scent of fake white facades and the noise of roaring insanity melt into the scents of bronzed skin, and earthen trust,
the sounds of Ancient whispers from the silent mesas that echo around me.
The blood that flows through my body tingles,
for it remembers that I am not the only thing that it belongs to.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
For backs and arms were meant to bend and build,
and they can,
with magnificence.
Intricately intertwined our feet shuffle and stumble,
brace as we lift the immensity of thick rich wood,soon to become a shelter of unmatched worth.
We bow in humility beneath the weight and the power of these logs.
They say that many hands make light work, even yet many hearts make for lighter.
Let the mountains conquer us.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
As our shovels Kiss open the first folds of flesh of the earth in search of the roots of foundation, stories and memories stir, then trickle and flow from parched human lips and fall like lances into the soft soils of what matters. Like ants we scurry in the vast primal eternity, now time and perspective are delivered,
a breath of life in the bleakness of worry.
I implore you to listen with me, for the age of peace is the age when we drop our phones and guns, pick up hoes and shovels and peer deep into the eyes of each other.
Drink from one another the stories that make us who we are until our barren fields of loneliness are quenched in the pouring rains of forgiveness.
For although you may doubt me,
the human race is a great one,
let there be thunderbolts and rainbows among us.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
Listen to the stones for they will tell you how they want to break.
I arch my ears,
let the voices of emotion guide my hands,
beckon for me to reach into my soul and pull my blessing and sorrows from the wells.
My chisel dances along the stone,
barely a naviance to this Ancient art until I am carving my blessings into the bricks of a home and my sorrows flake away into the sands,
returning to the mystery of creation.
In a circle I blow until I catch a rugged glimpse of a brick and the raw sense of loving myself.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
The learning spirals,
now an ocean of faces and voices,
places and peoples.
Around and around I spin.
Each place has a meaning.
Every person has a story.
In time we will grow.
In space we will know.
Snip and cut from me the branches that will not harber my growth,
pull from me the bramble that will entangle my legs.
Remove from us the noxious medicines and poisonous pills,
and let us die in the dignity of identity,
let us fade in the purity of who we are,
let us grow not as a product of oppression,
but as the bearers of names instead.
For when the rains sprinkle down from the stars let us put out our buckets and open your our mouths.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
They sway,
legs and backs and arms arched,
half in this world and half not,
because maybe thats what it takes to fly.
Poised and dancing,
the sun,
an obelisk of vermillion brilliance,
Scorching through the waters of life that lay suspended between heaven and earth,
sends volts of energy pulsing into open mouths.
A sense of place captures me,
as I descend with Andrew into lands as Ancient as memory we arise through the dusk tainted with magic.
The sound of our foot steps echo across the chiseled steps that his Father ran,
that his great great grandfather ran,
that generations and generations of people together have ran.
undulating past the eagle clans beginnings
Tip toeing erstwhile Ancient Springs where coiled water serpents dwell
Through terraced gardens,
around earthen ceremonial tracks and back up,
looping, running.
Into the arms of the mystery and the homes of our families.
Soaring,
enthralled and enraptured with the freedom of eagles,
the prayers in our hearts melting into a rhythmic call
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai. Resounds against the secret fertility of the sands, and seeps through the souls of our feet, Pours through the molecules of our bodies and trumpets through the clear resonant skies above our heads.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
because We always thank our workers.
Thank you Thank you.
I hear this over and over again until it runs thick through my blood and gushes from the pores in my skin, and gratitude is re wrought in stuff of substance.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
The sun beats in all its splendor and radiance from the blue expanse that wheels above us and sterile stuffed worries begin to crumble.
blow like dust and dead leaves,
flaking from the pulsing red raw muscle that fills my chest.
Here I stand,
the scent of fake white facades and the noise of roaring insanity melt into the scents of bronzed skin, and earthen trust,
the sounds of Ancient whispers from the silent mesas that echo around me.
The blood that flows through my body tingles,
for it remembers that I am not the only thing that it belongs to.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
For backs and arms were meant to bend and build,
and they can,
with magnificence.
Intricately intertwined our feet shuffle and stumble,
brace as we lift the immensity of thick rich wood,soon to become a shelter of unmatched worth.
We bow in humility beneath the weight and the power of these logs.
They say that many hands make light work, even yet many hearts make for lighter.
Let the mountains conquer us.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
As our shovels Kiss open the first folds of flesh of the earth in search of the roots of foundation, stories and memories stir, then trickle and flow from parched human lips and fall like lances into the soft soils of what matters. Like ants we scurry in the vast primal eternity, now time and perspective are delivered,
a breath of life in the bleakness of worry.
I implore you to listen with me, for the age of peace is the age when we drop our phones and guns, pick up hoes and shovels and peer deep into the eyes of each other.
Drink from one another the stories that make us who we are until our barren fields of loneliness are quenched in the pouring rains of forgiveness.
For although you may doubt me,
the human race is a great one,
let there be thunderbolts and rainbows among us.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
Listen to the stones for they will tell you how they want to break.
I arch my ears,
let the voices of emotion guide my hands,
beckon for me to reach into my soul and pull my blessing and sorrows from the wells.
My chisel dances along the stone,
barely a naviance to this Ancient art until I am carving my blessings into the bricks of a home and my sorrows flake away into the sands,
returning to the mystery of creation.
In a circle I blow until I catch a rugged glimpse of a brick and the raw sense of loving myself.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
The learning spirals,
now an ocean of faces and voices,
places and peoples.
Around and around I spin.
Each place has a meaning.
Every person has a story.
In time we will grow.
In space we will know.
Snip and cut from me the branches that will not harber my growth,
pull from me the bramble that will entangle my legs.
Remove from us the noxious medicines and poisonous pills,
and let us die in the dignity of identity,
let us fade in the purity of who we are,
let us grow not as a product of oppression,
but as the bearers of names instead.
For when the rains sprinkle down from the stars let us put out our buckets and open your our mouths.
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
They sway,
legs and backs and arms arched,
half in this world and half not,
because maybe thats what it takes to fly.
Poised and dancing,
the sun,
an obelisk of vermillion brilliance,
Scorching through the waters of life that lay suspended between heaven and earth,
sends volts of energy pulsing into open mouths.
A sense of place captures me,
as I descend with Andrew into lands as Ancient as memory we arise through the dusk tainted with magic.
The sound of our foot steps echo across the chiseled steps that his Father ran,
that his great great grandfather ran,
that generations and generations of people together have ran.
undulating past the eagle clans beginnings
Tip toeing erstwhile Ancient Springs where coiled water serpents dwell
Through terraced gardens,
around earthen ceremonial tracks and back up,
looping, running.
Into the arms of the mystery and the homes of our families.
Soaring,
enthralled and enraptured with the freedom of eagles,
the prayers in our hearts melting into a rhythmic call
Kwak Kwai. Kwak Kwai.
Resume:
Nicholas Turco
Objective:
Experiencing adventure based therapy and education as well as gaining understanding into what fosters healing and enrichment of life.
Academic/Educational skills:
Attend Animas High School, where I am immersed in a project based/college prep learning model where there is a large emphasis on critical thinking in humanities and sociology courses.
GPA 3.71, estimated date or of graduation 2016
Enrolled in an honors independent study humanities course.
Community Involvement:
Community Service:Garden Project: Completed 17 hours of work in small gardens around the community aiding in local food production.
Trails 2000: Completed 8 hours maintaining River View trail systems, and 2 hours on the Colorado trail.
Turtle Lake Refuge: worked with Turtle Lake Refuge both at the Farm and in the Kitchen.
Spirit Runners 5k: Volunteered at the Spirit Runners 5k (a fundraiser for the title IV Native American Education program.)
Manna Soup Kitchen: completed 8 hours serving food and digging trenches at Manna Soup Kitchen with La Plata Youth Services.
Social Work/Human Advocacy:
Research assistance: Participated in a DU MSW research session, focused on youth and truancy (gained awareness of peers and community issues related to supporting youth in crisis.)
PEAT: Was a member of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team and worked for 3 years educating school and community members about diversity, acceptance and tolerance.
Work as a peer mentor at La Plata Youth Services (accompanied community service groups to Manna Soup Kitchen and DMR days.)
Worked at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in Nederland Colorado with ages 4-11, in the summer of 2014.
Exhibited personal sociology essay to a graduate level social Work class (improved public speaking skill, self-reflection and confidence around identity.)
Presented With the Prejudice Elimination Action Team at Cherry Creek Diversity Festival in Denver in 2012.
Facilitated Discussions on the Tunnel of oppression at Fort Lewis in participation of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day 2012.
Extra Curricular Activities and Personal Passions:
Awarded all State academic title two years in a row in both cross country and track.
Passionate member of the Durango Cross Country and track team.
Participate annually in the Colorado High Peaks Adventure Camp with my Cross Country team in the mountains of Buena Vista. (Building strong Team Bonds and a deep relationship with the beauty of the mountains.)
Participate annually in an 80-mile adventure run and camping trip from Molas Pass to Durango on the Colorado Trail with my Cross Country team. (Building Strong Bonds with my team and a deep relationship with myself and the mountains.)
Explored an outdoor tracking, wilderness survival and community model class with Zach Fisher, an instructor at Open Sky Wilderness therapy.
Objective:
Experiencing adventure based therapy and education as well as gaining understanding into what fosters healing and enrichment of life.
Academic/Educational skills:
Attend Animas High School, where I am immersed in a project based/college prep learning model where there is a large emphasis on critical thinking in humanities and sociology courses.
GPA 3.71, estimated date or of graduation 2016
Enrolled in an honors independent study humanities course.
Community Involvement:
Community Service:Garden Project: Completed 17 hours of work in small gardens around the community aiding in local food production.
Trails 2000: Completed 8 hours maintaining River View trail systems, and 2 hours on the Colorado trail.
Turtle Lake Refuge: worked with Turtle Lake Refuge both at the Farm and in the Kitchen.
Spirit Runners 5k: Volunteered at the Spirit Runners 5k (a fundraiser for the title IV Native American Education program.)
Manna Soup Kitchen: completed 8 hours serving food and digging trenches at Manna Soup Kitchen with La Plata Youth Services.
Social Work/Human Advocacy:
Research assistance: Participated in a DU MSW research session, focused on youth and truancy (gained awareness of peers and community issues related to supporting youth in crisis.)
PEAT: Was a member of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team and worked for 3 years educating school and community members about diversity, acceptance and tolerance.
Work as a peer mentor at La Plata Youth Services (accompanied community service groups to Manna Soup Kitchen and DMR days.)
Worked at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in Nederland Colorado with ages 4-11, in the summer of 2014.
Exhibited personal sociology essay to a graduate level social Work class (improved public speaking skill, self-reflection and confidence around identity.)
Presented With the Prejudice Elimination Action Team at Cherry Creek Diversity Festival in Denver in 2012.
Facilitated Discussions on the Tunnel of oppression at Fort Lewis in participation of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Day 2012.
Extra Curricular Activities and Personal Passions:
Awarded all State academic title two years in a row in both cross country and track.
Passionate member of the Durango Cross Country and track team.
Participate annually in the Colorado High Peaks Adventure Camp with my Cross Country team in the mountains of Buena Vista. (Building strong Team Bonds and a deep relationship with the beauty of the mountains.)
Participate annually in an 80-mile adventure run and camping trip from Molas Pass to Durango on the Colorado Trail with my Cross Country team. (Building Strong Bonds with my team and a deep relationship with myself and the mountains.)
Explored an outdoor tracking, wilderness survival and community model class with Zach Fisher, an instructor at Open Sky Wilderness therapy.
Daily Blog
3/2/15: Today I experienced my first day with Marshall and Adventures For Hopi! we took some inventory of climbing gear and numbered and titled gear belonging to A4H. We took some time lapses with the programs new camera as the clouds wen billowing by the expansive landscape. It is beautiful and silent. We went to the wellness center to work out because the roads were crazy muddy and then played settlers of Katan by lamb light after a goof dinner of homemade mac and cheese. It was a wonderful first day and I feel welcomed and appreciated!
3/3/15: Today Marshall taught me to repel and use all the equipment that goes with such an activity. It was focusing and very rewarding to learn how to belay. It was cold and again the clouds were spectacular over the silent dessert vistas. The task and the cold together were meditative and brought me a sense of happiness to think that i was learning in this way out in this place. latter in the day we worked on a operating procedure for repelling that we will be doing tomorrow with the community rebuilds interns. I am glad that I am learning these things. We again went to the wellness center and Marshals friend Kurt took me on a beautiful run around on say trails that popped over a small ridge of a mesa and down again. It felt great to run outside after being inside so much yesterday. I am so exited to explore as many trails as I can over my stay. Finally we went to a meeting for Bacavi Hopi Youth Program and discussed service projects and events for labor day weekend and leading up to it. It was cool to watch the creativity and the collaboration around needed services and activities as well as obstacles around lack of money. I learned that Marshall's program really is am important and needed component. It seems that community is a very important thing here and everywhere.
3/4/15: Today I met all of the community rebuilds Interns that will be working for five months to build a sustainable house. We went on a tour and Jacobo showed us all of the perks of building with cob and an earthen material that absorbs sun and heat at one hour per inch. Reinforced with straw for insulation cob is keeps houses warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We saw the bees and the compost bins as well as a compost able toilet that Jacobo had. It was exiting to image building another structure like the ones we saw from the ground up. We then moved some very heavy logs together from a trailer to the build sight. This was an awesome way to start out a group vibe and was kind of fun work. Later we went up to Nawaise spring area and went through an entire repelling course from orientation all the way through ground school to "high school," a real cliff with ta slight over hang to repel of off. It was a great first experience for an adventures class. I learned that adventure activities bring people closer because they ask people to step up to themselves and to each other. There was a lot of laughing and fun! When Marshall and I DE- briefed this activity on our way home we decided that we could work to create more of a contest for the activity. we thought that we could have had a bigger discussion before and after focusing on a greater goal to apply repelling to life. We thought that these goals would be around community, supporting each other and commitment to the degree that we can, this also means knowing ourselves. We reflected on our individual practices. I decided that I want to become more confident and comfortable as well as keep in mind that I can always ask questions and learn. Marshall pointed out that we are all learning together and approaching activities as a context to lean on the natural environment is a goal. i thought that this was very important. We also talked about the beauty, struggles and rewards of working with people and our complex and raw emotions. For the world will become a stronger place if we knew each other better. I went on an amazing run across the mesa winding and winding forever. It was gorgeous. It was getting dark and I had run longer then i thought so getting back was a little stress full and i ran fast put i kept my head on my shoulders and got back with a good amount of day light and a happy heart. I always need to keep in mind when i am in a new place to be mindful of where I am on my runs. We finished the day up with a great homemade pizza.
3/5/15:Today we continued on the build project and I learned how to cut stone and use a saw. I am enjoying working with people. I have experienced a lot of emphasis on team work. learning in how to cut stone was one of the highlights of my day. It was hard for me and I kept taking off to much stone because I did not approach the cutting from enough angles. I learned through talking to Marshall and to Kurt that there is an importance in the way that you go about things, whether it be looking at something from many different angles or setting an intention. Marshall shared with me the importance of setting an intention when cutting stone. The stones can here us and if we approach them with Joy and humility they will work with us to sculpt something beautiful.
3/6/15:Today was the second day that we really got things rolling on the build. It was supper cool and felt extremely applicable because i was learning skills that really matter. I was helping build a house for someone! i learned how to Cut wood with a saw, and use a drill to build shelves, and work hard and long with people! Service learning is very cool because not only does it teach people how to do useful things but it shows at least me the value of doing things for each other.
3/7/15: I went on the most beautiful run this morning! I went out on to a long dirt road that went on for a long time beside the cliffs of the mesa. After a while i turned off onto an old quarry road and looped into rolling dessert landscape up past peoples corn fields and silent hills. I felt like I could run forever. Later Marshall and I went to Hopi Veterans Memorial Valley and documented some cool climbing sights using a GPS. We traversed a loop over hills and into washes and along little mesa ridges. It was exquisitely gorgeous and as we walked Marshall told me Hopi stories about the Katina spirits and about the emergency of the Hopi from the third world to the fourth. We talked about culture in many different ways. One thing that Marshall shared with me that i think was important was the idea that someone from western society will never fully understand what being from Hopi is nor the other way around. That is why we must be open to experience things like the in the way that is right for each person. Later in the night we went to a Katina dance. We walked through the narrow dirt streets of Hotevilla up to the top of Kivas and peered in watching the spirits in all their different splendor drum and dance. One of the Katina guards chased us and I stumbled like and idiot with my hat flapping over my eyes, it was heart racing, ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time. I feel honored and humbled and joyed to be here experiencing things.
3/8/15:Today I got to watch more dances. We went to shungopavi the dances today were in the kysonvi (the central plaza.) The dances in the day were much different they were less wild and they through food out to everybody. It was amazing how much food that they brought out to give away. Talk about a community event! I really enjoyed being able to see a small amount of diversity in Katina dances. I appreciate that i am able to stay for three weeks so that I can really get around in a way and become familiar with things at a deeper level. I took some more inventory and did some stuff around the house with Marshall's mom Maryland. We talked about traveling and going with the flow. Maryland told me about the Peru and how she was their during the time that Eva Morales was being elected, and the pride, hope and fear, that was going on at the same time. She told me about the different potatoes and how people still walk and live of the land in Peru and Bolivia. we talked about the beauty's of living simply. I just finished a cup of juniper tea that Maryland freshly brewed and am talking with Marshall and Aaron and Joe and Maryland!
3/9/15: Worked on grant, ran down, stone.
I started off the day by attending a meeting with Elvia the program director of Bacavi youth program. The meeting was about what Service projects Adventures for Hopi could do with the Youth at BYP and write into the Heef Grant that we are applying for. I liked talking to Elvia. She showed me the ancient terrace gardens that are still being used and taken care of today by her youth and some of the community. I got to see the original place where the village of Bacavi was before it got to big and had to move out onto the top of the mesa. I got to see the springs that people restored by cleaning and setting positive intention and prayer. She showed me pictures of how the spring waters returned from 2012 to 2014, it was amazing! I want to learn and study about the effects that intention and sense of mind have on places that you are in! I really appreciated going to this meeting because i was able to understand the details of what Adventures for Hopi needs and provides at this time. I also got a sense of what we will need to write into our HEEF grant, I am supper exited to get started on this. I also appreciated seeing the connection that Elvia's and Marshall's program have. I then got run down through the terrace gardens to the work place I saw a beautiful red tailed hawk and it was fun popping up right at the work site. At the build site I was able to practice my stone masonry. I learned about cutting stone from Marshall and Lee and Kurt they had lots of useful tips. Marshall told me to observe where I was pointing my chisel and where I was sending the energy of my strokes. "listen to the stones they want to work with you they will tell you the way that they want to break." this is what people say. Lee told me to go in a circle striking the edges of the stone only a couple times before moving on in this manor the stone will break in the way that you want it to. Kurt taught me to strike the stone on the the slender side when you are ready for it to break of. I enjoyed the beginning of practicing this art. I set intentions and enjoyed the meditative focus that it took.
3/10/15: Worked on wood, ran down, worked on grant. Learned about language from Lee. Meeting at cultural center with Lyle learned about both types of work. Combination keeps it real. Look at notes.
Today I ran down to the work site again from Marshall's house. I am really beginning to know how things connect and where they are located. I worked on striping logs in the morning. This is very hard work! I am both humbled by the time and the love and energy that building a house takes as well as inspired in the things that people can do when they are working together. Service learning is valuable because it brings to reality that we in fact never do things alone. I often feel driven by a feeling of crushing competition in school work, but here i am starting to see that the reality of the world is that we only achieve things when working in collaboration. At lunch I went to a meeting on Marshall's behalf at the cultural center that was focused on community collaboration of programs that focus on helping youth, including at risk or opportunity youth. I appreciated being able to see both ends of the spectrum working with the community collaborative and on the actual build site. However to a certain extent there seems to be a disconnect in the sense that the talks main driving force is money that the action is the people. I know that an important balance is the key and strive to become good at both in my life. In the evening Marshall and I continued to work on the HEEF grant. I love the feeling of writing something that has such an important and direct result. I love being able to employ my skills as a writer while watching how Marshall approaches things in the realm of grant writing. I am appreciating learning about what it takes to get a program off the ground with little funding while upholding the value of catering services to people with less privilege in wealth. Money is a huge issue and the lack of it creates harsh realities. But from what I am can see there is a deeper and much more sustainable ability in being able to support each other.
3/11/15: I did a lot of running today four runs and it was awesome! In the morning I ran to a point that looked down on both sides of the dessert and marveled at its immensity and preserved silent beauty. I ran to the top of a point and there all of a sudden were all of these pottery shards all over the top of the butte they were full and different with intricate designs. There were so many of them and the way that they littered the outcropping made me feel like I had stepped back in time. I chanced upon a pristine and silent vessel of history. It felt sacred and warm and tender and I am happy to have seen it and feel like i was in the presence of something that was not a right of mine i was a guest and i feel honored to be able to have been one. On the top of the butte when i looked out at the Francisco peaks i felt like i had a different view for a second a view of what is deep and powerful floating in the mystery.
3/12/15: The day started off by going to a meeting at Hopi High school about S.I.IF. or Social Innovation Fund feasibility Visit. There were a lot of people representing organizations and the Community that were all interested in bettering the learning and healthy Functioning environment for Youth on Hopi Lands. The first section of the Meeting was geared around discussing the AVID program being implemented in Hopi Junior/ High School. AVID Is essentially a program that focuses on providing college readiness for Middle ground GPA students be encompassing them with more support. People seemed to be very exited about the idea of Anything that would strengthen the preforming curve and the opportunity for people in the school. by listening it seems that Hopi high has a large problem with meeting standards, which really reflects the important issue of people who are not in situations that allow them health and the ability to flourish. From talking with Maryland and Marshall it seems that drug dealing is one example of the struggles that youth are facing at Hopi High. Marshall and I also talked about how the helping people from a standards approach is not bad but in some ways may not be all encompassing. For example people may need an entire different approach of education that removes them from negative environments as well as obscene Mainstream pressures, such as standardized testing and provides them with contexts, space, and support to connect, focus and engage, which are goals that teachers, counselors and administrators say are needed. we talked about how there is an enormous amount of pressure around forcing success to look one way, and how mainstream Anglo forms of education are forced onto people that traditionally so not learn in such ways. The question that always returns to my mind is "to what End?" Or in other words what are the things that we are accomplishing by forcing or helping people through systems. I believe that the true end goal needs to be the well being of individuals and communities not the perpetuation of competition that support systems of oppression. The Meeting over all was a very positive affair. it was cool to see how many people came together with the desire to improve the condition of education and Youth well-being on Hopi. Something that Marshall and Maryland both spoke to was the idea thing are not really started until people are doing them. This is one of the reasons that it is really cool to be part of the build. It is powerful to be a part of the build as well because I am surrounded by hard working collaborative and brilliant Individuals that may or may not be necessarily taking the mainstream path of success. Today it rained and we dug trenches. I ran back home witch is much harder the running to work, sandy hills are hard and the rain was gorgeous and cooling. This evening i worked on a check out Form For Adventures For Hopi gear. I also made us a big pizza and for breakfast I made blue corn flour pancakes! They were really good and my favorite color!
3/13/15: Today Marshall and Kurt and I went to Flagstaff to do a lot of shopping and any chores that needed to be done. We got lumber and grocery shopped and got free pie at whole foods because it was national pie day. We also went to see Cinderella, which was terrible if wanted to know. Over all we had a fun day. I am enjoying this experience I think at one of its deepest levels because i am getting to make new friends. i realize that i am someone who loves to Adventure, to explore, and to find the joy in the unknown happiness and freedoms of life that lie outside the door.
3/14.15: Today we slept in in the morning. When we got up we went to Bacavi to some of Marshall's and Maryland's friends and Clan members. We eat some good corn and beef stew and tried to catch some Katina dances but we were to early so we decided to go back home and get some chores done. Before we did that Marshall and i walked around outside and we talked a little about the importance of family and community events. That morning I learned that within clans people have roles that are in a sense family roles on a bigger scale. i also learned that churches still come by the reservation and into Bacavi and other villages and try to take kids away from the Katina dances and community activities and have activities for them that are purposed toward erasing Hopi culture from their minds, and their experiences. It is sad but real that cultural genocide is still the intention and the practice of groups of people. I learned that Marshall's great great grandmother was one of the only three reaming sisters of the Bacavi clan at one point after small box were used to eradicate people. I learned that some clans do not exist anymore because of small box. The reality of genocide becomes stark and real when you are walking in a place where people and their clans should exist and do not. The rest of the day was nice we got some chores done. I helped Marshall take care of his fruit trees by pruning them. I learned that the fruit trees cannot survive with out being pruned. The pruning allows the tree to focus its energy in a balanced way throughout the tree, giving the nutrient to the most healthy and well growing branches. Pruning prevents the tree from becoming sick and diseased as well. I think that it is interesting and sort of profound to think about how life must give and bend in order to truly thrive. I think that a lot of things including humans are like fruit trees. We need to observe and choose what we want in ourselves to flourish. We need to let go of the things that do not sustain our over all life. We have to give and endure as well as receive in order to thrive and help the people and things around us thrive. Maryland and I also shoveled broken down fine coal that could not be burned into the truck and then dumped it along the road. We did this in order to maintain the road so that when it rains and people drive on it with heavy trucks there is less erosion. Maryland told me that she used to maintain the road very thoroughly before there were more people that lived around her and before the cell towers went up. Its pretty cool that she maintained so well for so long. That taking care of your home if you ask me. I am happy that I can stay with Marshall and Maryland. It makes the learning so full and rich, not only diving into a different job but a different home! The last thing that we did today was climbing. It was supper fun. The sandstone cliffs and the sun made my skin and me feel raw and real. The first time that I tried the climb I got about half way and the second time I got all of the way to the top. Climbing is hard and exhilarating. This wasn't a hard climb but it tested me to bend and move in new ways. When you put your body out there in these different ways it feels precariously and surprisingly good. Something that I learned about myself and about Adventure education is that loving yourself is a key to success. It was hard for me to feel myself that i could go all of the way to the top when i was so close the positive support from the people around me helped with this. Here i learned two things. One great things are meant to be done together and two that sometimes loving yourself or being good enough is hard but it is worth it to yourself and the people around you. Maryland also made some delicious blue corn marbles! They were good!
3/15/15: Today we continued on the build. We Dug trenches and shoveled and moved logs together. The work of building a house is growing on me. To dig the water line we had to partner up and move together one person pulling up on the end of the shovel with a string while the other person dug the shovel into the trench. In this way we were able to dig a really deep narrow whole. There was a video autograph-er named Andy that came to the build site today. He seemed to be a good journalist and said that he would provide me with his video when he was done. I eat lunch inside Lilian and Jacobo's house the same type of house that we are staying in now. I loved their home and standing in it I got an overwhelming feeling of comfort. I want to live in house that I build up from the ground with the same amount of care and beauty and homeliness in it as this home. It is also supper cool that I am here doing a little part in building such a home. Today was also supper cool because i was able to talk to one of my mom's co workers at La Plata Youth Services in Durango so that I could facilitate an outdoor Adventure class and identify service projects in the summer for La Plata Youth services and Durango's community. It feels good to think that I will be able to apply my learning back to our community. Learning is a cool thing when it is all connected.
3/16/15: Today we had a very engaging work day. In the morning we were digging a whole searching for the water line that goes to the house that Lilian and Jacobo live in. Someones powerful shovel stroke hit the line and a geyser of water shot up into the air about eight feet. water then proceeded to swell and pour and gush into the surrounding area. we frantically begin to dig around to direct the torrent away from the ditch that we were digging for a new water line. We were successful in this and after people were able to turn of the houses water we went about digging an enormous trench to people and there equipment could go in three and fix it. The power of water is an awe inspiring thing. Although harmless in this case, It is crazy to watch the spectral of how helpless people really are in the face of the raw power of the elements. To be honest it was kind of epic to watch the water go so crazy. As Jacobo shared in his pep talk, at the end of the day things like this are a true test of the ways that we can work together and master our emotions in a positive way. Here I again experience the importance and the application in learning where the earth and the sky and the elements as well as our human and non human companions are our teachers and our classmates. At the end of the day Andrew took me on a run around his village. It was the best inside and inspiring tour that I have ever bean on. We wound our way down through the cliffs and looked out onto the cloud shrouded San Francisco peaks. we ran past two beautiful springs surrounded in stones like a Kiva, that stepped down to cool silent water, where great water serpents dwell. We ran past old gardens where Andrews grandmother used to have a plot. we ran around and up a race track for snake dances and a race where Kiva teams kick a ball around a five mile course racing to a finish. We ran and looked at corn rock, a sacred rock that holds the memories and the traditions of people. We ran past the eagle clans shrine and ruins and up steep steps carved into the rock where Andrews great great grandfather used to run. We ran up into the twilight and poured over the rocks back to the car where the sun erupted through the clouds in a sliver of scarlet fire and the curtains of rain hung down over the mesas. Andrew and I talked about running and tradition and the importance of living in a way that learns and listens and respects. We talked about Hopi Highs 25 consecutive state titles. We talked about a service project that he wanted to do cleaning up trash around his Mesa. It was a wonderful run! At the end of the day there I had an awesome interview with Marshall.
3/18/15: Today was my last full day that I had with the build interns and with Marshall. We continued to build a water line and i learned how to crimp and cut tubes for plumbing. I got a direct application from Steve's class when we talked about how putting less reactive water pipe attachment metals next to more reactive water pipe attachment metals would cause them rusting in the waterline. we talked about galvanized metals and it felt really cool to have such a direct connection. I find that i am talking to people about deeper and deeper things each day. Something that I realize again is that learning takes time. The more that i worked with people and stayed with Marshall and Maryland the more I got the time to here peoples stories. I talked to Maryland about lenses of Archaeology and the importance of white Anthropologists looking at Hopi culture with a humble sense of learning because of time and the depth of knowledge that the Hopi and many other indigenous people have about themselves. I talked to Marshall more about wilderness therapy and we discussed some of the hard and dark things that wilderness therapists deal with when they are trying to help kids that are high high risk. it feels good to have discussions with other people that I have just met that i only have with mu mom or a teacher. The over all work of the build is something that feels very good. I skill that I am learning and Learning to love is the ability to work with your bodies and your hands and your fellow companions. In truth humans are actually marvelous creatures that can create amazing things. Being able to work with my hands has given me a sense of competency about myself that I have had less of in the past.
3/19/15: Today was the last day that I will be here out on Hopi among the silent sandstone mesas, the expansive desert sky, the intimacy to what is Ancient, and the friends that I have been working with. When we did our morning stretch circle and through out the morning people wished me good luck on my race. The morning went by with an energy of reflection and gratitude . I now know that I will need to come back and see this house when it is finished. I will also need to stay in contact With Marshall so that I can come back and visit as well as stay involved with the program in the future. Maryland said that she did not need to say good bye to me because she new that we would see one another again. Marshall and I baked a pie an awesome blueberry pie and we had a good pie feast. All that i can say is Thank you thank you thank you. This was a blessing at so many levels. When my team came to pick me up I got to give them a tour of the build site and i realized i kind of knew what I was talking about. I am in phoenix now and it feels weird being away from the silence and the clarity of the mesas bathed in sun as I run down through the sand next to so many people that have ran down before me, to focus on something so real and important as building a home for someone.
3/3/15: Today Marshall taught me to repel and use all the equipment that goes with such an activity. It was focusing and very rewarding to learn how to belay. It was cold and again the clouds were spectacular over the silent dessert vistas. The task and the cold together were meditative and brought me a sense of happiness to think that i was learning in this way out in this place. latter in the day we worked on a operating procedure for repelling that we will be doing tomorrow with the community rebuilds interns. I am glad that I am learning these things. We again went to the wellness center and Marshals friend Kurt took me on a beautiful run around on say trails that popped over a small ridge of a mesa and down again. It felt great to run outside after being inside so much yesterday. I am so exited to explore as many trails as I can over my stay. Finally we went to a meeting for Bacavi Hopi Youth Program and discussed service projects and events for labor day weekend and leading up to it. It was cool to watch the creativity and the collaboration around needed services and activities as well as obstacles around lack of money. I learned that Marshall's program really is am important and needed component. It seems that community is a very important thing here and everywhere.
3/4/15: Today I met all of the community rebuilds Interns that will be working for five months to build a sustainable house. We went on a tour and Jacobo showed us all of the perks of building with cob and an earthen material that absorbs sun and heat at one hour per inch. Reinforced with straw for insulation cob is keeps houses warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We saw the bees and the compost bins as well as a compost able toilet that Jacobo had. It was exiting to image building another structure like the ones we saw from the ground up. We then moved some very heavy logs together from a trailer to the build sight. This was an awesome way to start out a group vibe and was kind of fun work. Later we went up to Nawaise spring area and went through an entire repelling course from orientation all the way through ground school to "high school," a real cliff with ta slight over hang to repel of off. It was a great first experience for an adventures class. I learned that adventure activities bring people closer because they ask people to step up to themselves and to each other. There was a lot of laughing and fun! When Marshall and I DE- briefed this activity on our way home we decided that we could work to create more of a contest for the activity. we thought that we could have had a bigger discussion before and after focusing on a greater goal to apply repelling to life. We thought that these goals would be around community, supporting each other and commitment to the degree that we can, this also means knowing ourselves. We reflected on our individual practices. I decided that I want to become more confident and comfortable as well as keep in mind that I can always ask questions and learn. Marshall pointed out that we are all learning together and approaching activities as a context to lean on the natural environment is a goal. i thought that this was very important. We also talked about the beauty, struggles and rewards of working with people and our complex and raw emotions. For the world will become a stronger place if we knew each other better. I went on an amazing run across the mesa winding and winding forever. It was gorgeous. It was getting dark and I had run longer then i thought so getting back was a little stress full and i ran fast put i kept my head on my shoulders and got back with a good amount of day light and a happy heart. I always need to keep in mind when i am in a new place to be mindful of where I am on my runs. We finished the day up with a great homemade pizza.
3/5/15:Today we continued on the build project and I learned how to cut stone and use a saw. I am enjoying working with people. I have experienced a lot of emphasis on team work. learning in how to cut stone was one of the highlights of my day. It was hard for me and I kept taking off to much stone because I did not approach the cutting from enough angles. I learned through talking to Marshall and to Kurt that there is an importance in the way that you go about things, whether it be looking at something from many different angles or setting an intention. Marshall shared with me the importance of setting an intention when cutting stone. The stones can here us and if we approach them with Joy and humility they will work with us to sculpt something beautiful.
3/6/15:Today was the second day that we really got things rolling on the build. It was supper cool and felt extremely applicable because i was learning skills that really matter. I was helping build a house for someone! i learned how to Cut wood with a saw, and use a drill to build shelves, and work hard and long with people! Service learning is very cool because not only does it teach people how to do useful things but it shows at least me the value of doing things for each other.
3/7/15: I went on the most beautiful run this morning! I went out on to a long dirt road that went on for a long time beside the cliffs of the mesa. After a while i turned off onto an old quarry road and looped into rolling dessert landscape up past peoples corn fields and silent hills. I felt like I could run forever. Later Marshall and I went to Hopi Veterans Memorial Valley and documented some cool climbing sights using a GPS. We traversed a loop over hills and into washes and along little mesa ridges. It was exquisitely gorgeous and as we walked Marshall told me Hopi stories about the Katina spirits and about the emergency of the Hopi from the third world to the fourth. We talked about culture in many different ways. One thing that Marshall shared with me that i think was important was the idea that someone from western society will never fully understand what being from Hopi is nor the other way around. That is why we must be open to experience things like the in the way that is right for each person. Later in the night we went to a Katina dance. We walked through the narrow dirt streets of Hotevilla up to the top of Kivas and peered in watching the spirits in all their different splendor drum and dance. One of the Katina guards chased us and I stumbled like and idiot with my hat flapping over my eyes, it was heart racing, ridiculous and hilarious all at the same time. I feel honored and humbled and joyed to be here experiencing things.
3/8/15:Today I got to watch more dances. We went to shungopavi the dances today were in the kysonvi (the central plaza.) The dances in the day were much different they were less wild and they through food out to everybody. It was amazing how much food that they brought out to give away. Talk about a community event! I really enjoyed being able to see a small amount of diversity in Katina dances. I appreciate that i am able to stay for three weeks so that I can really get around in a way and become familiar with things at a deeper level. I took some more inventory and did some stuff around the house with Marshall's mom Maryland. We talked about traveling and going with the flow. Maryland told me about the Peru and how she was their during the time that Eva Morales was being elected, and the pride, hope and fear, that was going on at the same time. She told me about the different potatoes and how people still walk and live of the land in Peru and Bolivia. we talked about the beauty's of living simply. I just finished a cup of juniper tea that Maryland freshly brewed and am talking with Marshall and Aaron and Joe and Maryland!
3/9/15: Worked on grant, ran down, stone.
I started off the day by attending a meeting with Elvia the program director of Bacavi youth program. The meeting was about what Service projects Adventures for Hopi could do with the Youth at BYP and write into the Heef Grant that we are applying for. I liked talking to Elvia. She showed me the ancient terrace gardens that are still being used and taken care of today by her youth and some of the community. I got to see the original place where the village of Bacavi was before it got to big and had to move out onto the top of the mesa. I got to see the springs that people restored by cleaning and setting positive intention and prayer. She showed me pictures of how the spring waters returned from 2012 to 2014, it was amazing! I want to learn and study about the effects that intention and sense of mind have on places that you are in! I really appreciated going to this meeting because i was able to understand the details of what Adventures for Hopi needs and provides at this time. I also got a sense of what we will need to write into our HEEF grant, I am supper exited to get started on this. I also appreciated seeing the connection that Elvia's and Marshall's program have. I then got run down through the terrace gardens to the work place I saw a beautiful red tailed hawk and it was fun popping up right at the work site. At the build site I was able to practice my stone masonry. I learned about cutting stone from Marshall and Lee and Kurt they had lots of useful tips. Marshall told me to observe where I was pointing my chisel and where I was sending the energy of my strokes. "listen to the stones they want to work with you they will tell you the way that they want to break." this is what people say. Lee told me to go in a circle striking the edges of the stone only a couple times before moving on in this manor the stone will break in the way that you want it to. Kurt taught me to strike the stone on the the slender side when you are ready for it to break of. I enjoyed the beginning of practicing this art. I set intentions and enjoyed the meditative focus that it took.
3/10/15: Worked on wood, ran down, worked on grant. Learned about language from Lee. Meeting at cultural center with Lyle learned about both types of work. Combination keeps it real. Look at notes.
Today I ran down to the work site again from Marshall's house. I am really beginning to know how things connect and where they are located. I worked on striping logs in the morning. This is very hard work! I am both humbled by the time and the love and energy that building a house takes as well as inspired in the things that people can do when they are working together. Service learning is valuable because it brings to reality that we in fact never do things alone. I often feel driven by a feeling of crushing competition in school work, but here i am starting to see that the reality of the world is that we only achieve things when working in collaboration. At lunch I went to a meeting on Marshall's behalf at the cultural center that was focused on community collaboration of programs that focus on helping youth, including at risk or opportunity youth. I appreciated being able to see both ends of the spectrum working with the community collaborative and on the actual build site. However to a certain extent there seems to be a disconnect in the sense that the talks main driving force is money that the action is the people. I know that an important balance is the key and strive to become good at both in my life. In the evening Marshall and I continued to work on the HEEF grant. I love the feeling of writing something that has such an important and direct result. I love being able to employ my skills as a writer while watching how Marshall approaches things in the realm of grant writing. I am appreciating learning about what it takes to get a program off the ground with little funding while upholding the value of catering services to people with less privilege in wealth. Money is a huge issue and the lack of it creates harsh realities. But from what I am can see there is a deeper and much more sustainable ability in being able to support each other.
3/11/15: I did a lot of running today four runs and it was awesome! In the morning I ran to a point that looked down on both sides of the dessert and marveled at its immensity and preserved silent beauty. I ran to the top of a point and there all of a sudden were all of these pottery shards all over the top of the butte they were full and different with intricate designs. There were so many of them and the way that they littered the outcropping made me feel like I had stepped back in time. I chanced upon a pristine and silent vessel of history. It felt sacred and warm and tender and I am happy to have seen it and feel like i was in the presence of something that was not a right of mine i was a guest and i feel honored to be able to have been one. On the top of the butte when i looked out at the Francisco peaks i felt like i had a different view for a second a view of what is deep and powerful floating in the mystery.
3/12/15: The day started off by going to a meeting at Hopi High school about S.I.IF. or Social Innovation Fund feasibility Visit. There were a lot of people representing organizations and the Community that were all interested in bettering the learning and healthy Functioning environment for Youth on Hopi Lands. The first section of the Meeting was geared around discussing the AVID program being implemented in Hopi Junior/ High School. AVID Is essentially a program that focuses on providing college readiness for Middle ground GPA students be encompassing them with more support. People seemed to be very exited about the idea of Anything that would strengthen the preforming curve and the opportunity for people in the school. by listening it seems that Hopi high has a large problem with meeting standards, which really reflects the important issue of people who are not in situations that allow them health and the ability to flourish. From talking with Maryland and Marshall it seems that drug dealing is one example of the struggles that youth are facing at Hopi High. Marshall and I also talked about how the helping people from a standards approach is not bad but in some ways may not be all encompassing. For example people may need an entire different approach of education that removes them from negative environments as well as obscene Mainstream pressures, such as standardized testing and provides them with contexts, space, and support to connect, focus and engage, which are goals that teachers, counselors and administrators say are needed. we talked about how there is an enormous amount of pressure around forcing success to look one way, and how mainstream Anglo forms of education are forced onto people that traditionally so not learn in such ways. The question that always returns to my mind is "to what End?" Or in other words what are the things that we are accomplishing by forcing or helping people through systems. I believe that the true end goal needs to be the well being of individuals and communities not the perpetuation of competition that support systems of oppression. The Meeting over all was a very positive affair. it was cool to see how many people came together with the desire to improve the condition of education and Youth well-being on Hopi. Something that Marshall and Maryland both spoke to was the idea thing are not really started until people are doing them. This is one of the reasons that it is really cool to be part of the build. It is powerful to be a part of the build as well because I am surrounded by hard working collaborative and brilliant Individuals that may or may not be necessarily taking the mainstream path of success. Today it rained and we dug trenches. I ran back home witch is much harder the running to work, sandy hills are hard and the rain was gorgeous and cooling. This evening i worked on a check out Form For Adventures For Hopi gear. I also made us a big pizza and for breakfast I made blue corn flour pancakes! They were really good and my favorite color!
3/13/15: Today Marshall and Kurt and I went to Flagstaff to do a lot of shopping and any chores that needed to be done. We got lumber and grocery shopped and got free pie at whole foods because it was national pie day. We also went to see Cinderella, which was terrible if wanted to know. Over all we had a fun day. I am enjoying this experience I think at one of its deepest levels because i am getting to make new friends. i realize that i am someone who loves to Adventure, to explore, and to find the joy in the unknown happiness and freedoms of life that lie outside the door.
3/14.15: Today we slept in in the morning. When we got up we went to Bacavi to some of Marshall's and Maryland's friends and Clan members. We eat some good corn and beef stew and tried to catch some Katina dances but we were to early so we decided to go back home and get some chores done. Before we did that Marshall and i walked around outside and we talked a little about the importance of family and community events. That morning I learned that within clans people have roles that are in a sense family roles on a bigger scale. i also learned that churches still come by the reservation and into Bacavi and other villages and try to take kids away from the Katina dances and community activities and have activities for them that are purposed toward erasing Hopi culture from their minds, and their experiences. It is sad but real that cultural genocide is still the intention and the practice of groups of people. I learned that Marshall's great great grandmother was one of the only three reaming sisters of the Bacavi clan at one point after small box were used to eradicate people. I learned that some clans do not exist anymore because of small box. The reality of genocide becomes stark and real when you are walking in a place where people and their clans should exist and do not. The rest of the day was nice we got some chores done. I helped Marshall take care of his fruit trees by pruning them. I learned that the fruit trees cannot survive with out being pruned. The pruning allows the tree to focus its energy in a balanced way throughout the tree, giving the nutrient to the most healthy and well growing branches. Pruning prevents the tree from becoming sick and diseased as well. I think that it is interesting and sort of profound to think about how life must give and bend in order to truly thrive. I think that a lot of things including humans are like fruit trees. We need to observe and choose what we want in ourselves to flourish. We need to let go of the things that do not sustain our over all life. We have to give and endure as well as receive in order to thrive and help the people and things around us thrive. Maryland and I also shoveled broken down fine coal that could not be burned into the truck and then dumped it along the road. We did this in order to maintain the road so that when it rains and people drive on it with heavy trucks there is less erosion. Maryland told me that she used to maintain the road very thoroughly before there were more people that lived around her and before the cell towers went up. Its pretty cool that she maintained so well for so long. That taking care of your home if you ask me. I am happy that I can stay with Marshall and Maryland. It makes the learning so full and rich, not only diving into a different job but a different home! The last thing that we did today was climbing. It was supper fun. The sandstone cliffs and the sun made my skin and me feel raw and real. The first time that I tried the climb I got about half way and the second time I got all of the way to the top. Climbing is hard and exhilarating. This wasn't a hard climb but it tested me to bend and move in new ways. When you put your body out there in these different ways it feels precariously and surprisingly good. Something that I learned about myself and about Adventure education is that loving yourself is a key to success. It was hard for me to feel myself that i could go all of the way to the top when i was so close the positive support from the people around me helped with this. Here i learned two things. One great things are meant to be done together and two that sometimes loving yourself or being good enough is hard but it is worth it to yourself and the people around you. Maryland also made some delicious blue corn marbles! They were good!
3/15/15: Today we continued on the build. We Dug trenches and shoveled and moved logs together. The work of building a house is growing on me. To dig the water line we had to partner up and move together one person pulling up on the end of the shovel with a string while the other person dug the shovel into the trench. In this way we were able to dig a really deep narrow whole. There was a video autograph-er named Andy that came to the build site today. He seemed to be a good journalist and said that he would provide me with his video when he was done. I eat lunch inside Lilian and Jacobo's house the same type of house that we are staying in now. I loved their home and standing in it I got an overwhelming feeling of comfort. I want to live in house that I build up from the ground with the same amount of care and beauty and homeliness in it as this home. It is also supper cool that I am here doing a little part in building such a home. Today was also supper cool because i was able to talk to one of my mom's co workers at La Plata Youth Services in Durango so that I could facilitate an outdoor Adventure class and identify service projects in the summer for La Plata Youth services and Durango's community. It feels good to think that I will be able to apply my learning back to our community. Learning is a cool thing when it is all connected.
3/16/15: Today we had a very engaging work day. In the morning we were digging a whole searching for the water line that goes to the house that Lilian and Jacobo live in. Someones powerful shovel stroke hit the line and a geyser of water shot up into the air about eight feet. water then proceeded to swell and pour and gush into the surrounding area. we frantically begin to dig around to direct the torrent away from the ditch that we were digging for a new water line. We were successful in this and after people were able to turn of the houses water we went about digging an enormous trench to people and there equipment could go in three and fix it. The power of water is an awe inspiring thing. Although harmless in this case, It is crazy to watch the spectral of how helpless people really are in the face of the raw power of the elements. To be honest it was kind of epic to watch the water go so crazy. As Jacobo shared in his pep talk, at the end of the day things like this are a true test of the ways that we can work together and master our emotions in a positive way. Here I again experience the importance and the application in learning where the earth and the sky and the elements as well as our human and non human companions are our teachers and our classmates. At the end of the day Andrew took me on a run around his village. It was the best inside and inspiring tour that I have ever bean on. We wound our way down through the cliffs and looked out onto the cloud shrouded San Francisco peaks. we ran past two beautiful springs surrounded in stones like a Kiva, that stepped down to cool silent water, where great water serpents dwell. We ran past old gardens where Andrews grandmother used to have a plot. we ran around and up a race track for snake dances and a race where Kiva teams kick a ball around a five mile course racing to a finish. We ran and looked at corn rock, a sacred rock that holds the memories and the traditions of people. We ran past the eagle clans shrine and ruins and up steep steps carved into the rock where Andrews great great grandfather used to run. We ran up into the twilight and poured over the rocks back to the car where the sun erupted through the clouds in a sliver of scarlet fire and the curtains of rain hung down over the mesas. Andrew and I talked about running and tradition and the importance of living in a way that learns and listens and respects. We talked about Hopi Highs 25 consecutive state titles. We talked about a service project that he wanted to do cleaning up trash around his Mesa. It was a wonderful run! At the end of the day there I had an awesome interview with Marshall.
3/18/15: Today was my last full day that I had with the build interns and with Marshall. We continued to build a water line and i learned how to crimp and cut tubes for plumbing. I got a direct application from Steve's class when we talked about how putting less reactive water pipe attachment metals next to more reactive water pipe attachment metals would cause them rusting in the waterline. we talked about galvanized metals and it felt really cool to have such a direct connection. I find that i am talking to people about deeper and deeper things each day. Something that I realize again is that learning takes time. The more that i worked with people and stayed with Marshall and Maryland the more I got the time to here peoples stories. I talked to Maryland about lenses of Archaeology and the importance of white Anthropologists looking at Hopi culture with a humble sense of learning because of time and the depth of knowledge that the Hopi and many other indigenous people have about themselves. I talked to Marshall more about wilderness therapy and we discussed some of the hard and dark things that wilderness therapists deal with when they are trying to help kids that are high high risk. it feels good to have discussions with other people that I have just met that i only have with mu mom or a teacher. The over all work of the build is something that feels very good. I skill that I am learning and Learning to love is the ability to work with your bodies and your hands and your fellow companions. In truth humans are actually marvelous creatures that can create amazing things. Being able to work with my hands has given me a sense of competency about myself that I have had less of in the past.
3/19/15: Today was the last day that I will be here out on Hopi among the silent sandstone mesas, the expansive desert sky, the intimacy to what is Ancient, and the friends that I have been working with. When we did our morning stretch circle and through out the morning people wished me good luck on my race. The morning went by with an energy of reflection and gratitude . I now know that I will need to come back and see this house when it is finished. I will also need to stay in contact With Marshall so that I can come back and visit as well as stay involved with the program in the future. Maryland said that she did not need to say good bye to me because she new that we would see one another again. Marshall and I baked a pie an awesome blueberry pie and we had a good pie feast. All that i can say is Thank you thank you thank you. This was a blessing at so many levels. When my team came to pick me up I got to give them a tour of the build site and i realized i kind of knew what I was talking about. I am in phoenix now and it feels weird being away from the silence and the clarity of the mesas bathed in sun as I run down through the sand next to so many people that have ran down before me, to focus on something so real and important as building a home for someone.
Mentor Interview:
Takeaways of Interview with my mentor Marshall Masayesva.
-Had a rough time in school and Adventure class changed learning experience.
-watches students that have an environment that does not cater to them.
-Adventure education and and direct experience in fact cater toward people on Hopi.
- Why do you do Adventure Ed?
- started with environmental biology.
-Had a rough time in school and Adventure class changed learning experience.
-watches students that have an environment that does not cater to them.
-Adventure education and and direct experience in fact cater toward people on Hopi.
- What are the most empowering things that you have seen and experienced from doing what you do?
- First experience was in Zion where they dove right into a world of passion and empowerment.
- “doing something that only seemed like a dream, and only seemed like something for other people.”
- loves watching other people experience beginner moments of awe and empowerment.
- Why is Adventure Ed. an important thing to bring to Hopi?
- Kids are lost wanting to be in the western world.
- Offers development for kids that need grounding.
- Adventure is a metaphor for life.
- Offers activity and economic ability development.
- Is an outside positive environment.
- What are some of the biggest struggles that you see for are amounting right now for Hopi Youth?
- Kids do not have positive reinforcement. This culture is not acknowledging individual.
- Lack of Positive self image and self worth stem from hard environments.
- Need to feel needed and loved.
- If you could generalize what are some of the biggest strengths that you see in a majority of Hopi Youth?
- Resilience in being able to understand what hard times are.
- People are able to see a lot of truths and worlds. I.E. culture grounding and progressive accomplishment. Reality in the larger world and the future.
- what are the things that you would most like to pass onto me?
- You should not limit yourself to perceptions that the world creates about you, if you do then your potential will not be met.
- Do not be scene as lesser than you are.
- wants to be an example of passion, drive, and self sustainability.
- what are the challenges that you have and are facing in bringing your vision into light.
- Overall time constraints on stretching of self, in order to accomplish a lot.
- Hard for self to share responsibilities with others and want things to happen in the now.
- Rushes, and feels that he needs to be for patient.
- What are the successes and beauties that you have had in bringing your vision to light?
- A lot of support
- Self People wanting what Marshall wanted and could give through Adventures for Hopi.
- Fund Raising.
- What and who are the things in life that inspire you?
- Believes in action, and doing not speaking.
- Grandfather was a quiet man and role model that actions speak louder than words.
- Always watched Grandfather working and Benefiting others. He was a huge role model for Marshall.
- “Actions are solid because they cannot be undone.”
- What is one of the things that you think our world needs most?
- When we think of global community believes that we cannot think from the top down, but should rather think from the bottom up.
- Believes that we must start from the individual and then to the community on up to the greater context of the world.
Preparation :
Student: Nicholas Turco
Student Internship with Adventures for Hopi
Goals Assessment and Lesson Plan:
Adventures for Hopi: is a newly created program catering to Hopi & Tewa youth that utilizes Outdoor Education & Recreation as a medium for Cultural Preservation, Community-Based Social Change and Environmental Stewardship. Our program focuses on health, development, opportunity, service, and education. These focus areas are incorporated into our adventure pursuits which include activities such as but not limited to; climbing, hiking, backpacking, rafting, canyoneering, and climbing.
Adventures for Hopi Internship: We provide opportunities for individuals to receive educational credit by working with the individual and educational institution to develop a lesson plan around the intern’s goals. We provide guidance and mentorship opportunities to achieve the program as well as the student defined goals.
Background: Adventures for Hopi (A4H) is partnering with Community Rebuilds (CR) and Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture (HTP). The project is a Sustainable Building Program where CR student interns are taught natural building principles while building a home. A4H is providing opportunities for the students to participate in adventure activities as part of the program. Marshall is helping to facilitate student retention as well as instruct natural building principles.
Your role: As a student intern, you will help the program move forward with our initiatives. Your involvement will be invaluable by providing the program with much needed support. That being said, my interaction with you from 7AM to 7PM will be limited due to engagement with the CR/HTP student intern program. You will be required to work under your own motivation and timeline. Time will be spent with you in the evenings reviewing your work for day. You are free and encouraged to participate in the build program as you see fit. Weekends will be spent with the build program’s scheduled Adventure Activities.
Things to consider: The Hopi Reservation is Remote and destinations can be far apart. The nearest city to the Reservation is the town of Flagstaff Arizona and a visit during your Internship will be unlikely. Services here on the Reservation are limited but there is a small grocery store near by. You are required to bring money/food to purchase food to sustain yourself for the duration of the program. You will be provided a safe place to stay and given the tools necessary to complete your assignments.
Week One.
Goal: Orient You to the programs you will be interning with.
Lessons and assignments
Orientation Week: (3/1-5/15) The week will be spent with the Community Rebuilds in partnership with Adventures for Hopi raft trip. A4H/CR are participating in an orientation raft trip down the San Juan River to get building student interns familiar with a 5-month sustainable build program. During the orientation week You will become familiar with how the partnership between A4H CR will work.
Assignments:
1. Create a 10 to 15 minute presentation on who you are and your interest in A4H/CR. Keep in mind that we will be on the river so creativity is encouraged. DUE 3/1/15
2. Create a professional outdoor journal to document your performance for future self-reflection. DUE 3/1/15
Goal setting and real world application (3/6-7/15):
We will be facilitating a goal setting climbing exercise with application in the real world with the CR Interns. You will experience how recreational activities are utilized to promote long and short-term goal setting.
Assignment: Develop a lesson plan working with the CR interns in facilitating a goal setting exercise. Lesson plan template will be provided. Due 3/6/15
Week two:
Goal: Orient Intern to Program structure and facilitation techniques.
lessons and Assignments
Orientation to Warehouse (3/9/15): We will be going over basic operations of the program. This will include warehouse management.
Assignments:
Inventory all equipment and create equipment histories. Due: 3/12/15
Identify Potential Service Learning Projects: (3/8/15) You will help to identify service-learning projects within the Hopi community. Contact information will be given to you to set up meetings with Village leaders to develop service projects to incorporate into our Service Learning Initiative.
Assignment:
Identify/develop partnerships for two service projects.Due (3/13/15)
Activity Facilitation: (3/14/15) You will help facilitate an Adventure Activity with either our CR interns or our Service Learning Students.
Assignment: Develop a Lesson plan on commitment making and real world application. Lesson Plan Template will be provided.Due (3/14/15)
Week three:
Goal: Help plan route for future Backpacking trips.
Lessons and Assignments
Research the route: (3/16/15) You will be given leads on individuals to contact to begin the process of identifying historic trail systems. You will also be given existing documentation of the route.
Assignment: Contact knowledgeable individuals on the general location on the 3rd mesa to San Francisco trail system. Due end of internship
Figure out Logistics: Help to identify campsites, water/food cache stations, and logistics for a future expedition of the route.
Map the beginning of the route: You will GPS map the route 5 miles or more out of 3rd mesa to begin the process of documenting the route.
Debrief: We will take a look at your internship and discuss future involvement with the program.
Student Internship with Adventures for Hopi
Goals Assessment and Lesson Plan:
Adventures for Hopi: is a newly created program catering to Hopi & Tewa youth that utilizes Outdoor Education & Recreation as a medium for Cultural Preservation, Community-Based Social Change and Environmental Stewardship. Our program focuses on health, development, opportunity, service, and education. These focus areas are incorporated into our adventure pursuits which include activities such as but not limited to; climbing, hiking, backpacking, rafting, canyoneering, and climbing.
Adventures for Hopi Internship: We provide opportunities for individuals to receive educational credit by working with the individual and educational institution to develop a lesson plan around the intern’s goals. We provide guidance and mentorship opportunities to achieve the program as well as the student defined goals.
Background: Adventures for Hopi (A4H) is partnering with Community Rebuilds (CR) and Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture (HTP). The project is a Sustainable Building Program where CR student interns are taught natural building principles while building a home. A4H is providing opportunities for the students to participate in adventure activities as part of the program. Marshall is helping to facilitate student retention as well as instruct natural building principles.
Your role: As a student intern, you will help the program move forward with our initiatives. Your involvement will be invaluable by providing the program with much needed support. That being said, my interaction with you from 7AM to 7PM will be limited due to engagement with the CR/HTP student intern program. You will be required to work under your own motivation and timeline. Time will be spent with you in the evenings reviewing your work for day. You are free and encouraged to participate in the build program as you see fit. Weekends will be spent with the build program’s scheduled Adventure Activities.
Things to consider: The Hopi Reservation is Remote and destinations can be far apart. The nearest city to the Reservation is the town of Flagstaff Arizona and a visit during your Internship will be unlikely. Services here on the Reservation are limited but there is a small grocery store near by. You are required to bring money/food to purchase food to sustain yourself for the duration of the program. You will be provided a safe place to stay and given the tools necessary to complete your assignments.
Week One.
Goal: Orient You to the programs you will be interning with.
Lessons and assignments
Orientation Week: (3/1-5/15) The week will be spent with the Community Rebuilds in partnership with Adventures for Hopi raft trip. A4H/CR are participating in an orientation raft trip down the San Juan River to get building student interns familiar with a 5-month sustainable build program. During the orientation week You will become familiar with how the partnership between A4H CR will work.
Assignments:
1. Create a 10 to 15 minute presentation on who you are and your interest in A4H/CR. Keep in mind that we will be on the river so creativity is encouraged. DUE 3/1/15
2. Create a professional outdoor journal to document your performance for future self-reflection. DUE 3/1/15
Goal setting and real world application (3/6-7/15):
We will be facilitating a goal setting climbing exercise with application in the real world with the CR Interns. You will experience how recreational activities are utilized to promote long and short-term goal setting.
Assignment: Develop a lesson plan working with the CR interns in facilitating a goal setting exercise. Lesson plan template will be provided. Due 3/6/15
Week two:
Goal: Orient Intern to Program structure and facilitation techniques.
lessons and Assignments
Orientation to Warehouse (3/9/15): We will be going over basic operations of the program. This will include warehouse management.
Assignments:
Inventory all equipment and create equipment histories. Due: 3/12/15
Identify Potential Service Learning Projects: (3/8/15) You will help to identify service-learning projects within the Hopi community. Contact information will be given to you to set up meetings with Village leaders to develop service projects to incorporate into our Service Learning Initiative.
Assignment:
Identify/develop partnerships for two service projects.Due (3/13/15)
Activity Facilitation: (3/14/15) You will help facilitate an Adventure Activity with either our CR interns or our Service Learning Students.
Assignment: Develop a Lesson plan on commitment making and real world application. Lesson Plan Template will be provided.Due (3/14/15)
Week three:
Goal: Help plan route for future Backpacking trips.
Lessons and Assignments
Research the route: (3/16/15) You will be given leads on individuals to contact to begin the process of identifying historic trail systems. You will also be given existing documentation of the route.
Assignment: Contact knowledgeable individuals on the general location on the 3rd mesa to San Francisco trail system. Due end of internship
Figure out Logistics: Help to identify campsites, water/food cache stations, and logistics for a future expedition of the route.
Map the beginning of the route: You will GPS map the route 5 miles or more out of 3rd mesa to begin the process of documenting the route.
Debrief: We will take a look at your internship and discuss future involvement with the program.
Goals From Task Statement:
Week One:
- Help facilitate Service Learning incentive adventure classes (Climbing, canyoneering, rafting):
I would like to develop the skills as an an outdoor guide as well as someone that can facilitate groups. I am interested in these facilitating skills because i would like to be a diversity dialogue facilitator, as well as a social worker or a wilderness therapist, I would like to be a part of these adventure classes to help create this learning as well as be a part of it. My goal is to be someone who can listen and follow as well as lead.
-Help identify potential service learning sites and contact people. (Trail work, working with community, or working with Sustainable Build.)
I would like to identify a variety of different service learning projects that would help the community and the people working on them. I would like to search for service learning that would benefit communities needs and develop understanding for participants about the systems that positively and negatively affect communities. I would also like to make connections with as many people as possible during my stay. I am also very hands on and would like to be part of any of this work going on at the time, like the sustainable build project. It is a value of mine to be part of hands on service projects. At Animas we have a “Project week, where we can choose outdoor activities or service projects to experience for a week..” I always choose one that is oriented on giving back to the community such as trail work or working in community gardens, or serving food at the homeless shelter. This is because service learning balanced with the outdoor activities I do, is a value of mine.
Week Two:
-Help develop the curriculum focusing on positive participant development in Adventure Activities. (Goal setting exercises, real world application, skill development, etc.)
I am interesting in helping with the development of service learning and adventure classes, because in my educational experiences I have found that learning that connects to the real world and to communities, create purpose and passion for students. I also find that when my peers and I are able to work with things that are pertinent to our life, we become active members of our community and world. A personal example of this is my humanities rhetorical discourse project. During this project I researched the school to prison pipeline and the privatization of prisons. I got to present my findings to Durango’s community at a public exhibition. Because of this project I am now in a process to try to give a diversity awareness training to Durango's incoming police along with other members of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team. My goals would be to help develop curriculum that would awaken people's passions and aid them in pursuing them in their everyday world. I would like to understand how to build a curriculum that has a focus on your goals of health, Development, service, and opportunity,because I think they can create a true and meaningful learning experience for people. I think that indigenous models of experiential learning are models that can create a lot of empowerment in peoples lives, whether it is along the lines of reclaiming or discovering, and I would like to learn more and be a part of this as well. -Create a curriculum focusing on development of participants for the day, two day, and week long incentive adventure activities.
I feel that physical adventure in the wilderness brings people together as a community, promotes team work and allows for personal discovery. I would like to to help create and participate in an environment that encourages participants to engage in activities that build community and identity. I would like to help create a curriculum that would develop connection between members and inspire creativity, passion and awareness in the rest of life. I am curious to learn about what programs and activities develop different kinds of skills and personal growth.
Week Three:
- Help map potential route from Third mesa, to San Francisco Peaks, to the Colorado river from existing documentation on historic trails.
I would be honored and very excited to help map potential routes from third mesa to San Francisco Peaks to the Colorado river from existing documentation on historic trails! I would love to learn about historic routes and help recover, and reclaim more of them.I know that map and route competence is an important skill to have in my areas of interest and is one that I could benefit from improving.
- Help plan logistics for said route.
The details of expeditions excite me. It would be a goal of mine to help this vision get of the ground by helping plan it. I would be happy to contact people that would need to be contacted for any access to sections of the trek as well as gather information that would be needed, or anything else along these lines.
- Explore, establish, and document the beginning of the route.
I find it inspiring to think about helping document and establish this route. I love immersing into the wild and believe that it creates a health for all people that societies today have lost. I am a runner and find a great peace in it. The truth about me and running is that what i love about it is the feeling of connection to the world I experience when I can run with the land… ancient canyons and gleaming snow capped peaks or pounding rain.This is a way that I find healing and purpose, and so I would like to use this value and ability to help create it for other people. A goal of mine would be to learn as much as I could about this route, documented and undocumented, as well as its significance so that I could help in creating this experience for people. A goal of mine would be to help establish as much of the route as possible.
week four:
This is my spring break and I would love to stay and continue with any work that Is needed.
These are the things that inspire me and are what I would like to focus on. However, I would be more than happy to be involved in any of the things that you included on the task statement, because it is also a goal of mine to contribute in the way that i am needed. I grouped these Goals together around the similarities I thought they shared. I arranged them in this way, because I thought it would provide the best introduction and conclusion for me. However I also want to work on these things when the best time arises, and would love to hear your instructions and advice about what I should be working on when and in what way.
Thank You for mentoring me!
Nicholas
Week One:
- Help facilitate Service Learning incentive adventure classes (Climbing, canyoneering, rafting):
I would like to develop the skills as an an outdoor guide as well as someone that can facilitate groups. I am interested in these facilitating skills because i would like to be a diversity dialogue facilitator, as well as a social worker or a wilderness therapist, I would like to be a part of these adventure classes to help create this learning as well as be a part of it. My goal is to be someone who can listen and follow as well as lead.
-Help identify potential service learning sites and contact people. (Trail work, working with community, or working with Sustainable Build.)
I would like to identify a variety of different service learning projects that would help the community and the people working on them. I would like to search for service learning that would benefit communities needs and develop understanding for participants about the systems that positively and negatively affect communities. I would also like to make connections with as many people as possible during my stay. I am also very hands on and would like to be part of any of this work going on at the time, like the sustainable build project. It is a value of mine to be part of hands on service projects. At Animas we have a “Project week, where we can choose outdoor activities or service projects to experience for a week..” I always choose one that is oriented on giving back to the community such as trail work or working in community gardens, or serving food at the homeless shelter. This is because service learning balanced with the outdoor activities I do, is a value of mine.
Week Two:
-Help develop the curriculum focusing on positive participant development in Adventure Activities. (Goal setting exercises, real world application, skill development, etc.)
I am interesting in helping with the development of service learning and adventure classes, because in my educational experiences I have found that learning that connects to the real world and to communities, create purpose and passion for students. I also find that when my peers and I are able to work with things that are pertinent to our life, we become active members of our community and world. A personal example of this is my humanities rhetorical discourse project. During this project I researched the school to prison pipeline and the privatization of prisons. I got to present my findings to Durango’s community at a public exhibition. Because of this project I am now in a process to try to give a diversity awareness training to Durango's incoming police along with other members of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team. My goals would be to help develop curriculum that would awaken people's passions and aid them in pursuing them in their everyday world. I would like to understand how to build a curriculum that has a focus on your goals of health, Development, service, and opportunity,because I think they can create a true and meaningful learning experience for people. I think that indigenous models of experiential learning are models that can create a lot of empowerment in peoples lives, whether it is along the lines of reclaiming or discovering, and I would like to learn more and be a part of this as well. -Create a curriculum focusing on development of participants for the day, two day, and week long incentive adventure activities.
I feel that physical adventure in the wilderness brings people together as a community, promotes team work and allows for personal discovery. I would like to to help create and participate in an environment that encourages participants to engage in activities that build community and identity. I would like to help create a curriculum that would develop connection between members and inspire creativity, passion and awareness in the rest of life. I am curious to learn about what programs and activities develop different kinds of skills and personal growth.
Week Three:
- Help map potential route from Third mesa, to San Francisco Peaks, to the Colorado river from existing documentation on historic trails.
I would be honored and very excited to help map potential routes from third mesa to San Francisco Peaks to the Colorado river from existing documentation on historic trails! I would love to learn about historic routes and help recover, and reclaim more of them.I know that map and route competence is an important skill to have in my areas of interest and is one that I could benefit from improving.
- Help plan logistics for said route.
The details of expeditions excite me. It would be a goal of mine to help this vision get of the ground by helping plan it. I would be happy to contact people that would need to be contacted for any access to sections of the trek as well as gather information that would be needed, or anything else along these lines.
- Explore, establish, and document the beginning of the route.
I find it inspiring to think about helping document and establish this route. I love immersing into the wild and believe that it creates a health for all people that societies today have lost. I am a runner and find a great peace in it. The truth about me and running is that what i love about it is the feeling of connection to the world I experience when I can run with the land… ancient canyons and gleaming snow capped peaks or pounding rain.This is a way that I find healing and purpose, and so I would like to use this value and ability to help create it for other people. A goal of mine would be to learn as much as I could about this route, documented and undocumented, as well as its significance so that I could help in creating this experience for people. A goal of mine would be to help establish as much of the route as possible.
week four:
This is my spring break and I would love to stay and continue with any work that Is needed.
These are the things that inspire me and are what I would like to focus on. However, I would be more than happy to be involved in any of the things that you included on the task statement, because it is also a goal of mine to contribute in the way that i am needed. I grouped these Goals together around the similarities I thought they shared. I arranged them in this way, because I thought it would provide the best introduction and conclusion for me. However I also want to work on these things when the best time arises, and would love to hear your instructions and advice about what I should be working on when and in what way.
Thank You for mentoring me!
Nicholas
Activity of Introduction: In My Spikes
-I am getting involved with Adventures for Hopi because I am passionate about learning that focuses on people and the environments and contexts we find ourselves in. Through my experiences In school both personal and observing my peers I have found that when students are asked to discover things about ourselves and our communities we are passionate and brilliant. I will be here for my Link internship which is a program where my school requires all juniors to find a Mentor and a three week internship. Jason connected me with Marshall and Adventures for Hopi. I am here because I am interested in Adventure education and therapy as a career. I want to learn about these practices and values of education from their original sources in indigenous models and values of education. I also want to understand holistic ways of learning education and understand what things inspire and impact people positively and negatively, including myself if i am to be a wilderness mentor and or therapist. Sense I am were out here on the river and I am a Cross Country Runner I thought i play a little running game that would help you guys get to know me a little better.
( describe Game.)
Born February 14, 1998
Born in Boulder Colorado
Lives in Durango Colorado
Has a little brother who is 11 years old and loves snowboarding and horses.
Lives with mother brother and step dad.
Has a mother who has her masters in social work and works at La Plata Youth services.
mother is an amazing dancer.
Has a father who lives in Nederland Colorado who he sees in the summer and monthly throughout the school year.
Father was born in Italy
I also have Jewish heritage
Step Father who work ks at La Plata Electric Association and teaches at the Southwest Studies for Independence.
Has a Stepmother who is a massage therapist
Has 5 step siblings and lives with none of them but loves the time he gets to spend with them.
Has a Grandmother who lives in Windsor and a Grandfather who lives in Nederland.
Father is a computer programmer.
Father is an amazing Musician
Has two Cats named Anya and Abby
Has twice ran 80 miles of the beautiful Colorado trail in 4 days with his XC team.
Got third at State with his Cross Country team this year.
Runs Track too.
Loves to Bake and make homemade pizza
I play the Violin
This is my second ever raft trip and its on the same river as my first
Is a member of The Prejudice Elimination Action Team in Durango.
-I am getting involved with Adventures for Hopi because I am passionate about learning that focuses on people and the environments and contexts we find ourselves in. Through my experiences In school both personal and observing my peers I have found that when students are asked to discover things about ourselves and our communities we are passionate and brilliant. I will be here for my Link internship which is a program where my school requires all juniors to find a Mentor and a three week internship. Jason connected me with Marshall and Adventures for Hopi. I am here because I am interested in Adventure education and therapy as a career. I want to learn about these practices and values of education from their original sources in indigenous models and values of education. I also want to understand holistic ways of learning education and understand what things inspire and impact people positively and negatively, including myself if i am to be a wilderness mentor and or therapist. Sense I am were out here on the river and I am a Cross Country Runner I thought i play a little running game that would help you guys get to know me a little better.
( describe Game.)
Born February 14, 1998
Born in Boulder Colorado
Lives in Durango Colorado
Has a little brother who is 11 years old and loves snowboarding and horses.
Lives with mother brother and step dad.
Has a mother who has her masters in social work and works at La Plata Youth services.
mother is an amazing dancer.
Has a father who lives in Nederland Colorado who he sees in the summer and monthly throughout the school year.
Father was born in Italy
I also have Jewish heritage
Step Father who work ks at La Plata Electric Association and teaches at the Southwest Studies for Independence.
Has a Stepmother who is a massage therapist
Has 5 step siblings and lives with none of them but loves the time he gets to spend with them.
Has a Grandmother who lives in Windsor and a Grandfather who lives in Nederland.
Father is a computer programmer.
Father is an amazing Musician
Has two Cats named Anya and Abby
Has twice ran 80 miles of the beautiful Colorado trail in 4 days with his XC team.
Got third at State with his Cross Country team this year.
Runs Track too.
Loves to Bake and make homemade pizza
I play the Violin
This is my second ever raft trip and its on the same river as my first
Is a member of The Prejudice Elimination Action Team in Durango.
Bio:
Nicholas Turco lives in Durango Colorado, where he attends Animas High an experiential public charter school. He is an Avid Cross Country Runner and is engaged in diversity work in the community.He has an 11 year old brother who is an amazing Snowboarder. He is interested in wilderness therapy and adventure education as a career as well as social work and anthropology. He is a member of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team in Durango, working to promote diversity and tolerance in Durango public schools and community. He participates in a project week with his school where he has annually donated a week of community service to community gardens. He loves the mountains and the trails of Colorado and has spent much time with his team running through them in camps focusing on team building and leadership skills. As well as fostering a deep value for the natural environment.
Coupled with the Animas internship program Adventures for Hopi has opened an avenue for Nicholas and future interns to follow such passions. Nicholas is Currently in the 11th grade and is about to embark on an intensive internship to the Third Mesa of Hopi lands in the town of Bacavi with the outdoor adventure and service learning school Adventures for Hopi that is catered to Hopi and Tewa youth. Here he will be engaged in helping his mentor and program director Marshall Masayesva develop Adventures for Hopi Youth through contacting and developing service learning partnerships with the community, as well as facilitating outdoor adventure activities along with curriculum development. He will also be engaged in helping launch a backpacking expedition to the confluence of the Grand Canyon from Third Mesa with the initiative of reclaiming traditional Hopi trails as well as fostering healing and environmental awareness.
Nicholas Turco lives in Durango Colorado, where he attends Animas High an experiential public charter school. He is an Avid Cross Country Runner and is engaged in diversity work in the community.He has an 11 year old brother who is an amazing Snowboarder. He is interested in wilderness therapy and adventure education as a career as well as social work and anthropology. He is a member of the Prejudice Elimination Action Team in Durango, working to promote diversity and tolerance in Durango public schools and community. He participates in a project week with his school where he has annually donated a week of community service to community gardens. He loves the mountains and the trails of Colorado and has spent much time with his team running through them in camps focusing on team building and leadership skills. As well as fostering a deep value for the natural environment.
Coupled with the Animas internship program Adventures for Hopi has opened an avenue for Nicholas and future interns to follow such passions. Nicholas is Currently in the 11th grade and is about to embark on an intensive internship to the Third Mesa of Hopi lands in the town of Bacavi with the outdoor adventure and service learning school Adventures for Hopi that is catered to Hopi and Tewa youth. Here he will be engaged in helping his mentor and program director Marshall Masayesva develop Adventures for Hopi Youth through contacting and developing service learning partnerships with the community, as well as facilitating outdoor adventure activities along with curriculum development. He will also be engaged in helping launch a backpacking expedition to the confluence of the Grand Canyon from Third Mesa with the initiative of reclaiming traditional Hopi trails as well as fostering healing and environmental awareness.
Documentation, Work, and Reflection:
Experience as An Intern at Adventures for Hopi Intern Brief Overview :
My name is Nicholas Turco and I have had the opportunity to begin discovering a passion of mine in Outdoor Adventure and Service Education through working with Adventures for Hopi a newly emerging Adventure Education program that Caters to Hopi and Tewa youth. I have just spent three Weeks in the Village of Bacavi on third Mesa of Hopi lands, under the wing of my mentor Marshall. Here I have been able to dive into the beginnings of building a home with Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture a sustainable build program that provides youth in Hopi community with the opportunity to develop knowledge and employable skills around permaculture and sustainable building. When i look back at my experience and Involvement with Adventures for Hopi and Hopi Tutskwa permaculture I am filled with gratitude. One of the things that was special about this experience for me was how my learning was a constant and continual experience. In my eyes this was due to the fact that I was immersed in a different culture, and always had the opportunity in conversation and location to learn something fascinating, whether it be running and hiking through so much unique history, learning how to chisel stone, prune fruit trees or attend a Kachina dance I always felt like I was in a place to explore and be filled with Wonderment. During my time spent on the build I developed a deep appreciation for service learning. This value springs from my observation of the teamwork and the comradery that such activities build in the groups that work on them. I believe that one of the biggest areas that education needs to address are inter and intra personal skills. In the words of my mentor humans can be the hardest things to work with but also the most rewarding. Through my experience with Adventures for Hopi I believe that the biggest part of making individuals truly empowered and engaged members in many contexts and many societies are lessons where we are demanded to work with ourselves and the people around us to develop our emotional intelligence. Through my experiences I have watched how emotional intelligence benefited our building in our ability to work efficiently, effectively and healthily. One example of the way that I have experienced Adventure Education in developing camaraderie and community interdependency was when we did our first repelling exercise. This repelling exercise was a simple beginning level activity, but through it I got to experience how Marshall crafted a greater context for us that connected to overcoming fears and committing to the things that are greater than ourselves. I then watched and experienced How the group was able to form and connect throughout the build as a functioning team as we were asked to perform difficult and intensive tasks of construction work, that can at their deepest level only be completed in a team contact. I believe that the values of understanding how we function in the systems around in both positive and negative ways are essential tools that need to be provided to all people. During my internship I have become validated and enlightened in this belief.
My name is Nicholas Turco and I have had the opportunity to begin discovering a passion of mine in Outdoor Adventure and Service Education through working with Adventures for Hopi a newly emerging Adventure Education program that Caters to Hopi and Tewa youth. I have just spent three Weeks in the Village of Bacavi on third Mesa of Hopi lands, under the wing of my mentor Marshall. Here I have been able to dive into the beginnings of building a home with Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture a sustainable build program that provides youth in Hopi community with the opportunity to develop knowledge and employable skills around permaculture and sustainable building. When i look back at my experience and Involvement with Adventures for Hopi and Hopi Tutskwa permaculture I am filled with gratitude. One of the things that was special about this experience for me was how my learning was a constant and continual experience. In my eyes this was due to the fact that I was immersed in a different culture, and always had the opportunity in conversation and location to learn something fascinating, whether it be running and hiking through so much unique history, learning how to chisel stone, prune fruit trees or attend a Kachina dance I always felt like I was in a place to explore and be filled with Wonderment. During my time spent on the build I developed a deep appreciation for service learning. This value springs from my observation of the teamwork and the comradery that such activities build in the groups that work on them. I believe that one of the biggest areas that education needs to address are inter and intra personal skills. In the words of my mentor humans can be the hardest things to work with but also the most rewarding. Through my experience with Adventures for Hopi I believe that the biggest part of making individuals truly empowered and engaged members in many contexts and many societies are lessons where we are demanded to work with ourselves and the people around us to develop our emotional intelligence. Through my experiences I have watched how emotional intelligence benefited our building in our ability to work efficiently, effectively and healthily. One example of the way that I have experienced Adventure Education in developing camaraderie and community interdependency was when we did our first repelling exercise. This repelling exercise was a simple beginning level activity, but through it I got to experience how Marshall crafted a greater context for us that connected to overcoming fears and committing to the things that are greater than ourselves. I then watched and experienced How the group was able to form and connect throughout the build as a functioning team as we were asked to perform difficult and intensive tasks of construction work, that can at their deepest level only be completed in a team contact. I believe that the values of understanding how we function in the systems around in both positive and negative ways are essential tools that need to be provided to all people. During my internship I have become validated and enlightened in this belief.
Pictures of the Build Sight:
Lesson Plans for Repelling:
LOP For Rappelling
Low Element:
Group Assessment: Physical/mental capability, previous experience
Things to think about: age, weight, mental maturity, frequency of technical participation activities in the past, potential leadership.
Set Up: Demo ropes, low element, belay stations.
Gear orientation: (Demonstrate, then do.)
Low Element:
Group Assessment: Physical/mental capability, previous experience
Things to think about: age, weight, mental maturity, frequency of technical participation activities in the past, potential leadership.
Set Up: Demo ropes, low element, belay stations.
Gear orientation: (Demonstrate, then do.)
- Introduce major components of harness, belay loop, hardpoints, gear loops, leg loop, and waist loop.)
- model how to put on a harness.( give to students to put on harnesses, monitor struggling individuals.
- Properly Fit harnesses ( no more then two fingers.)
- Back up buckles (Open to close. “O-C”)
- Personally inspect harnesses.
- Harness. (Properly fitted.)
- Helmets. (Properly fitted.)
- Carabiners.(”pear/D” Model and explain differences. Hand to students to play with.
- Introduction of Belay. Term to use is belay device.)
- Orient belay device.
- Describe hand positions. ( dominant/break hand and non dominant/guide hand. Avoid using left and right hands in order to not confuse students.
- If strong leadership is identified then teach third hand and (klemheist preferred.)
- Set up mock repel stations.
- ABCD’s.
- Approach, Anchor, attach, ( Before students come to edge of descent have them clip on to the anchor line.)
- Belay, buckles, backup. ( Have students secure belay device, check buckles, and attach safety third hand.)
- Carabiners, closed: ( Have students check that carabiners are secure and locked.“ Screw down so you don’t screw up”. Make sure the entire system is closed.)
- Detach, descend ( Have students detach safety clip from anchor line and check “on beley.”)
- mock rpel, stances, hand placement, gear orient again.
- Repeat “do not let go of break hand.”
- Identify individuals needing a little more attention.
Lop For Repelling
High Element:
Group Assessment: Review med forms, monitor struggling participants, If necessary put unwilling and or unready students on fire man.
Things to think about:
Setup: EARNeST anchor built, Fixed double line repel, one line for student repel, second line in for rescue prep, make sure there is a knot in both ends.
Gear orientation:
High Element:
Practice ABCD’s/ have students recite them:
High Element:
Group Assessment: Review med forms, monitor struggling participants, If necessary put unwilling and or unready students on fire man.
Things to think about:
Setup: EARNeST anchor built, Fixed double line repel, one line for student repel, second line in for rescue prep, make sure there is a knot in both ends.
Gear orientation:
High Element:
Practice ABCD’s/ have students recite them:
- Approach, Anchor, attach, ( Before students come to edge of descent have them clip on to the anchor line.)
- Belay, buckles, backup. ( Have students secure belay device, check buckles, and attach safety third hand.)
- Carabiners, closed: ( Have students check that carabiners are secure and locked.“ Screw down so you don’t screw up”. Make sure the entire system is closed.)
- Detach, descend ( Have students detach safety clip from anchor line and check “on beley.”)
- Harness. (Properly fitted.)
- Helmets. (Properly fitted.)
- Orient belay device.
- Describe hand positions. ( dominant/break hand and non dominant/guide hand. Avoid using left and right hands in order to not confuse students.
- If strong leadership is identified have student Practice klemheist/ Third Hand.
Adventures For Hopi created Equipment Release OF Liability Wavier Form:
Inventory For of Adventures for Hopi's Gear.
Project Proposal Of HEEF (Hopi Endowment Fund) Grant. (Collaborated to write and edit.):
Background:
Adventures for Hopi is a newly sprouted developmental program catering to Hopi and Tewa Youth here on Hopi. We utilize Outdoor Education/recreation and service learning as a medium for cultural preservation, community based social change and environmental stewardship. Our organization revolves around three major initiatives which make up our overall program structure. The Initiatives are as follows: Outdoor School, Service of Adventure, as well as our Training and mentorships. This year, we are focused on developing our Service of Adventure Initiative. Our program’s grassroots Ideology approaches community strengthening, participant empowerment and local capability through five major components. These components make up our core focus areas and are: health, development, opportunity, service, and education. These areas are employed and practiced with our adventure pursuits that include, but are not limited to climbing, hiking, backpacking, rafting and canyoning. Our focus areas are also cultivated in service learning projects that are forged closely with, and for the community.
Adventures for Hopi is taking the first steps in launching its Summer 2015 Service of Adventure initiative, which specifically, is Service with a twist. Service of Adventure is an Initiative that collaborates closely with community partners, organizations, and other youth service providers. Through Service of Adventure, we will enhance the lives of young participants by promoting self worth and foster long lasting values of communal/cultural ties. Service of Adventure reinforces its projects with adventure incentive as reward for participant commitment. These incentives provide participants with a deeper understanding, context, and appreciation for themselves as well as their place within the community. Service of Adventure utilizes the power of our homeland to build relationships with one another and re establish our participants sense of place. Strong partnerships that Adventures for Hopi has fostered for its Service of Adventure goal, are the Bacavi Youth program, the Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative, the Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture student building interns, and community leaders. Connected in partnership with these organizations, the Service of Adventure Initiative has lined out specific service projects that have strong emphasis on cultural education, are sustainable and will incorporate participant connection to their communities.
Our Service Learning Initiative will take place April 1st through December 1st 2015.
Program Goals:
Outcome of Goals:
Background:
Adventures for Hopi is a newly sprouted developmental program catering to Hopi and Tewa Youth here on Hopi. We utilize Outdoor Education/recreation and service learning as a medium for cultural preservation, community based social change and environmental stewardship. Our organization revolves around three major initiatives which make up our overall program structure. The Initiatives are as follows: Outdoor School, Service of Adventure, as well as our Training and mentorships. This year, we are focused on developing our Service of Adventure Initiative. Our program’s grassroots Ideology approaches community strengthening, participant empowerment and local capability through five major components. These components make up our core focus areas and are: health, development, opportunity, service, and education. These areas are employed and practiced with our adventure pursuits that include, but are not limited to climbing, hiking, backpacking, rafting and canyoning. Our focus areas are also cultivated in service learning projects that are forged closely with, and for the community.
Adventures for Hopi is taking the first steps in launching its Summer 2015 Service of Adventure initiative, which specifically, is Service with a twist. Service of Adventure is an Initiative that collaborates closely with community partners, organizations, and other youth service providers. Through Service of Adventure, we will enhance the lives of young participants by promoting self worth and foster long lasting values of communal/cultural ties. Service of Adventure reinforces its projects with adventure incentive as reward for participant commitment. These incentives provide participants with a deeper understanding, context, and appreciation for themselves as well as their place within the community. Service of Adventure utilizes the power of our homeland to build relationships with one another and re establish our participants sense of place. Strong partnerships that Adventures for Hopi has fostered for its Service of Adventure goal, are the Bacavi Youth program, the Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative, the Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture student building interns, and community leaders. Connected in partnership with these organizations, the Service of Adventure Initiative has lined out specific service projects that have strong emphasis on cultural education, are sustainable and will incorporate participant connection to their communities.
Our Service Learning Initiative will take place April 1st through December 1st 2015.
Program Goals:
- Our central goal is to successfully implement our 2015 Service of Adventure Initiative. This initiative is intended to incorporate service learning with adventure as reward. Coupled with adventure incentives, we believe that service projects sculpted to give back to the community will create full circles and long lasting positive impacts in our youth’s lives. We help our student’s design and implement meaningful service projects of interest to them, or prescribe a service project through one of our many partners which we hope this grant will aid in strengthening. All of our service projects are local and are invested in strengthening Hopi culture and community.
- In the fall of 2014, HEEF funded our Mentorship and Training Initiative where individuals were trained in employable and desirable skill sets in the outdoor field. Our second goal differs and expands on this by seeking to offer our graduates the ability to become practicing adventure facilitators. They will build upon their previous experience and gained skill sets by becoming practicing facilitators for our adventure incentives. Here, we are fulfilling the needs of our program, offering trainees part time employment, and gaining broader community interest in our program.
Outcome of Goals:
- If funded, our service of Adventure Initiative will have a positive role in cultivating the Hopi Community as a whole through meaningful service projects. We will begin expanding collaborative efforts with various programs, entities, organizations, and individuals such as the partners we currently have. When we are successful in launching our initiative, we will not only impact the young lives of our participants, but also gain positive support from the Hopi community as a whole. We will function as a powerhouse of collaboration, weaving and strengthening the fabric of community structure with this holistic approach. With this, we are working towards creating a Service Learning initiative that is contracted out by these same partners as a way to sustain the program in the future while remaining focused on our main Initiatives.
- Offering the opportunity for our training graduates to practice their learned skill sets is beneficial to the program because it not only contributes to the individual, but also the organization in the future. This investment in our local population ensures that we are continually growing as a program and offering avenues to these same individuals to seek employment. With this, we are also continuing their training and allowing participants to work in the field if they wish to pursue adventure education in the future. Furthermore developing leadership with diverse groups of people is also a valuable investment in any other line of work. By ensuring that we have passionate individuals behind our program we will be well equipped in our ability to provide continual and diverse services to youth. This also allows our trainees to step into peer mentorship roles in working with students.