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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Shiprock Tribal Extension)
Date October 31, 2011, 9:32 pm
For Objective Medium-term Show medium-term objectives
Impact Report Weaving Classes Christmas Break The Navajo 4-H youth and a few parents expressed interest in a weaving class project so one was scheduled during Christmas break in December 2010. Winter time a perfect time to share Navajo creation stories while weaving. Navajo weaving is a history of the Navajo people and its mythology stories. Importantly, weaving is a time for the weaver to express one’s self, what they are thinking, by the use of colors and designs. Therefore, agent bridges that gap of the Navajo history and 4-H while teaching programs especially the weaving classes. At the class session, the Agent had each participant stand up to introduce themselves; say their clans, their hobbies and what 4-H projects they are currently enrolled in. Those in attendance were five 4-H youth and two parents. Participants learned how to string their small looms, 4x4 inches, (with cotton strings), color coordinate the other woolen yarn by weaving in and out of the cotton strings. The end result would be to produce a woven coaster as they take the woven pattern off the loom and tying the knots on the end. During their weaving time, it is a time to share personal stories or some Navajo traditional storytelling as it relates to weaving. Each participant had a chance to share their personal story. With the interest in weaving it is a great opportunity to teach out of the 4-H curriculum New Mexico Roundup and therefore the weaving project can be entered in the local fairs. Crownpoint Office of Youth Development (OYD) The Crownpoint OYD program invited this Agent (NMSU home economist) to teach a class on weaving. The audience would be the youth that are in the after-school program. The first class was scheduled in January 2011 where there were ten youth and two adults present. The second class was done in March 2011 with nine youth and one adult. As it was previously mentioned, each participant did their introductions and learned how to weave from start-to-finish as well as shared their personal stories while the adults shared some Navajo traditional stories. The program and class participants were encouraged to start or join a 4-H Club in the community by promoting this activity as a 4-H project. It is interesting to note that while some students knew their clans, some didn’t so a hand-out was given on Navajo Kinship. What highlighted the moment was an Anglo child who gave her clanship in the Navajo language. This type of moments is what makes an Agent’s job more satisfying and rewarding. Shiprock Boys and Girls Club, Spring 2011 The weaving class became popular as news spread from Crownpoint to Shiprock, NM. The director of the Shiprock Boys and Girls Club contacted this Agent to start a series of weaving classes for their After-School program. Upon agreement between the two programs, classes were scheduled. On April 6, 2011 there were seven youth; April 11th were nine youth; April 27th, were five youth, May 4th were eight youth, May 12th were nine youth and May 18th which was the final class were seven youth. During the final class, a party was held to celebrate their achievement and certificates were given out and they got to take home their finished product. As in the previously mentioned weaving class, participant did their introductions, learned how to weave from start-to-finish as well as shared their personal stories. There was an item added to these sessions which was having participants do an ice-breaker activity prior to starting class. The activity would help in breaking down the nervousness so participants can be comfortable to share and get involved. The Agent also used the weaving class to promote 4-H and encouraged the youth to join. At the same time, the Agent also encouraged public speaking skills by having participants do their introductions especially their clans because most of them didn’t know their clans. A hand-out on Navajo Kinship was given to them to start learning their clans. Shiprock Boys and Girls Club, Summer 2011 The Spring Weaving Class was so successful that the Director of the Shiprock Boys and Girls Club again made invitation for this Agent to sponsor some more classes for the summer recreation program. Several classes were scheduled with two groups: one with ten years of age and under and the other was with ten years of age and over. Eventually the two groups were combined. On June 16th, ten years & under class were twenty-four youth while the ten years & over were twenty-nine youth. On June 23rd, the ten years & under were eighteen youth. On June 30th, ten years & under were sixteen while ten years & over were thirteen. On July 21st, the two groups were combined to total twenty-two youth with the final class on July 28th combined to total fifteen youth. Again, a celebration party was held during the final class where certificates were given and their finished product they got to take home. As in the previous classes participants did not only learn to weave but also learned to do introductions on self; become knowledgeable about the Navajo kinship; and practice public speaking skills. Once again, 4-H was promoted and encouraged. Nenahnezad Chapter Recreation Program The Agent was invited to do a Weaving Class to the summer youth at the Nenahnezad Chapter Recreation Program. One was scheduled on July 28th where fifteen youth were in attendance. Each of them learned a start-to-finish weaving project (color-coordinated with various pattern and designs). Of course, they participated in the ice-breaker, learned how to do self-introductions, shared personal stories, and learned about Navajo kinship (hand-out given). Some of the youth shared some amazing stories which they heard from their grandmothers. Agent encouraged and promoted 4-H. During this time, surprisingly, the Agent learned new weaving patterns and designs. Photography A Photography Class was presented to the Hana’dli 4-H Club. There were eleven youth and nine parents in attendance. This was at the request of the Club leader whom desired to get more interest in this project for the next year. Along with teaching on the topic, the 4-H members were also taught on how to complete their 4-H Photograph project book. Verbal instruction was given and hand-outs given also. Prior to class starting, an Ice-Breaker activity was done with them and from that each participant learned something new from each other. After class, the participants expressed further interest in this topic and would have liked to take actual photos and then do a review on it as if doing the actual judging. It sure did stem some interest for next year, though. Cultural Education Agent was again invited to do a presentation on “cultural education” for the Hana’dli 4-H Club. The leader of the Club stated this topic was an interest by the Club members. Once again, the Weaving class was presented as it was appropriate for the topic and it also allowed for Navajo traditional storytelling time and encouraged the Navajo kinship teaching on clans. Knowledge on clans is a good way to teach on self-identity. Handouts on Navajo Kinship were given to the youth and parents. All this again involved and encouraged public speaking skills where they introduced themselves, shared stories, talked about how their summer was going, what 4-H projects they were enrolled in and what 4-H is all about. They also completed their weaving project-a Navajo designed coaster.