Cultural Video Series

Indian Education is continuing to share a series of short cultural videos for our students and families. This week, we learn about the culture, history, and traditions of the Navajo Nation from Larenda Long.

Lorenda Long is Navajo from the Towering House people and born to the Red House people. She was born and raised on the Navajo reservation in the small community of Greasewood Springs, Arizona. She attended boarding school until she was 15 years old and then attended public high school. Wanda attended the University of Oklahoma for three years and completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of New Mexico. She currently makes tribal clothing, accessories, and quilts. She enjoys sharing the history of her people, the Navajo/Diné.

1. What region of the United States is the Navajo reservation located? Identify the states.
2. How is the Navajo government compared to the U.S. government?
3. Who are the Navajo Code Talkers and what did they do?

1. Explain the process of making yarn to be used for weaving.
2. Why is turquoise jewelry important to the Navajo?
3. Describe one of the Navajo artifacts or art that was shared in your own words.

1. Describe how a Navajo woman identifies herself as Navajo.
2. What is the meaning or story behind her hairstyle?
3. How did Navajos dye the wool used in weaving?

A hogan is an octagon-shaped home made of logs and sod. The door faces east towards the rising sun. This home is made by the Navajo people. Some still live in hogans, however, most are for important events and ceremonies.

1. One piece of blank white paper or a printer to print the design.

2. Crayons, colored pencils, or markers

Instructions:

• Print the blank hogan to color or re-draw it on a blank sheet of paper.
• Check out more on Navajo culture at https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/history.htm
• When you are finished, take a picture and share it with indianeducation@edmondschools.net.

Email: indianeducation@edmondschools.net
Website: https://edmondschools.net/programs/federal-programs/
Location: 500 E. 9th Street
Phone: 405-340-2895