Sustaining Navajo Knowledge for Navajo Youth and Communities

• In Event: 29.015 - Pro Bono Education Research Service Projects (ERSPs): AERA's ERSP Initiative

Abstract

This project created a resource guide and videos of original Navajo-centered research presentations for educators and communities, which are grounded in the current knowledge-base, perspectives, and experiences of Navajo people. Our project 1) collected the stories, research and perspectives of the lived experiences of Navajo people shared at the 20th Navajo Studies Conference, 2) analyzed the material to identify themes of knowledge shared, and 3) organized the material thematically into a resource guide for schools and communities across the Navajo Nation. We distributed printed resource guides and DVD sets to over 40 high schools, tribal colleges, and personal contacts throughout the Navajo Nation. We also shared the resource guide and the website link of the video sessions by email and on the Navajo Studies Conference, Inc. Facebook page. We plan to contact the educators to survey the impact of the resource guides and website on their teaching and on their students’ learning.

Authors

• Tiffany S. Lee, University of New Mexico

• Colin Ben, University of Utah