Category Archives: Events

Diné Culture Night — October 16th, 2019

Knowledge Sharing 1: Teachings around the home

  • Roles and responsibilities of chʼíkęęh/chʼíkéí
  • Roles and responsibilities of tsíłkęęh/tsíłkéí

This session will focus on understanding the traditional concept of young men and women’s roles and responsibilities of self-value, respect, gratitude, caring for others, self-care, and self-sufficiency. Roles are socially defined as obligations and behaviors towards others such as mother, father, sister, brother, and extended family.

Knowledge Sharing 2: Navajo Hogan story and teachings

  • Nihimá hooghan yisdzáán baa haneʼ
  • Nihimá hooghan yisdzáán binaʼnitin
  • Culture learning activity included

The stories and teaching of the Navajo female Hogan provide a foundation for every individual’s emergence. It is connected to the development of the Diné human: from conception through the nine months of being in the womb to birth. These teachings and stories explain where we come from.

This is the fourth of seven Diné Culture Nights for Fall 2019.

Please choose a gallery!

Diné Culture Night — September 18th, 2019

Knowledge Sharing 1: An In-depth introduction to Kʼé

  • Introductions
  • Kʼé saad
  • Navajo clan system
  • Clan activity

The Diné kʼé system is an important aspect of Navajo society. In adittion ot blood relationship, the Diné clan system establishes how Diné people are related by their four clans. The kʼé terminology used for family members can then be extended to those who are related by clan. Knowledge of kʼé is necessary, especially in a community of Diné who come from across the Navajo Nation. During this session we will learn the clan system through fun activities.

Knowledge Sharing 2: Historical overview of Navajo writing

  • Navajo sound system
  • Greetings phrases
  • Survival phrases
  • Command words

The historical development of Navajo orthography helps us to understand the Navajo writing system as Navajo textbooks, texting, and memes use a standardized form. A natural partner to the writing system are the sounds the Navajo orthography represents. Although the Romanized Navajo alphabet is similar to English in form, it differs in sound. Sounds of the Navajo language will be practiced through the application of useful phrases. This session will incorporate oral skills, pronunciation using pictures, games, and Total Physical Response to assist students with their Navajo speaking skills.

This is the first of seven Diné Culture Nights for Fall 2019.

Please choose a gallery!