Montezuma Creek, UT - Native American Issues (Post 4)

Today was our third day volunteering at Bluff Elementary School! The weather was drastically different than it has been the previous two days. At times there was so much wind that it was difficult to see the massive canyons and rocks that surround us. It was also a very exciting day for some of us that have been spending our days outside of the classroom working on the garden and a life-size sundial. Today we got to meet with a man named Kyle who has been weaving willow branches for the past twenty years. He and his adorable granddaughter took us a few miles outside of town and helped us collect our own branches to make a fence for the elementary school garden. After much cutting and bending, our group got to construct the fence and announce that the garden is finally complete!

Aside from the garden and weather, our group got to work cleaning the inside of classrooms and surfaces that the janitor doesn't often get around to. Other members of our group worked on designing new bulletin boards, grading papers, teaching the alphabet, and even learning more about the Navajo culture. One of our favorite things we have experienced this week is sitting in on the students' daily Navajo Culture and Language classes. Two of our own, Kelli and Erin, took extra time out of their day to sit and talk to the teacher, Ms. Claw,  about her experiences and life on the Reservation.  They gained valuable information and opinions about the continuing of the Navajo culture in coming generations. Their curiosity and love of this culture has really benefitted our group as a whole and we are now all better able to understand the situations of the students and staff we are working alongside.

Although these students have taught us so much about the culture of the Navajo nation, we were also given another learning opportunity today. While working outside, three missionaries from the Church of the Latter Day Saints (more commonly known as Mormons) came up to the school and talked to us for a little bit. After discussing with the rest of the group, we decided to invite the three to our residence for some ice cream and conversation! It was so nice to again be exposed to new things on our trip and it opened all of our minds to different aspects of faith and lifestyles. We not only shared ice cream, but also the love of some of our group's favorite things, Harry Potter and Lost. The three were very friendly and open to any questions we had, and the night ended in laughter and the exchange of emails. This trip has presented so many different things to our group that I know we are all so thankful for.

 

Tomorrow will surely bring more surprises and fun, and I know we all can't wait to spend our last full day at the school in classrooms teaching and learning. Keep checking back for updates on our trip, and we will try to keep you updated! Although we have very little internet service here…

Kate Hargis / MAB Bluff, Utah