Diné Participant 5

• In Event: Unforgetting Indigenous Education Histories to Cultivate Hwił Haahodinééh: Diné Experiences in the Mormon Indian Placement Program

Abstract

Participant 5 is Taachii’nii (Red Streak Running clan) born for Bitah’nii (Within Its
Covers). He is originally from Tse Dáá K’áán (rock grounded into the water)—otherwise
known to him and his kin as “Hogback”—near the Sá Bito’ (Old Age River), or San Juan River,
just on the border of Tsé Bit’a’í (rock with wings), commonly known in English as Shiprock,
New Mexico. He attributes his survivance of the Mormon Indian Student Placement Program
to the blessings his mother secured for him and which he received from medicine men prior to going “on Placement.” He also attributes his survivance to core Diné principles of the hózhó and
k’é ways, which have always been part of him and his life. In addition to letting his sacred hair
grow long in the wake of his Placement experiences, his survivance led him to pursue a
bachelor’s degree. His education and interests led him to pursue a career in human services and
social work, whereby he could protect and guide Indigenous children and families and prevent
them from experiencing what he did as a young person. He has worked as a case manager
and housing manager for various organizations in Utah and New Mexico. This includes work he
did for a time with the Department of Child Youth and Family for the State of New Mexico
where he managed Title IV-E funding and developed deep understanding of the Indian Child
Welfare Act (ICWA). To this day, he continues this care work as a manager of community
engagement with the University of New Mexico.

Author

• Randy Benally, University of New Mexico