Mercyhurst Preparatory School’s Peace and Justice Club and Serteen Organization are joining forces to work with His Call Christian Missions (a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation based in Jacksonville, FL) on a Hogan building project for a deserving family on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeastern Arizona. These modern versions of the traditional octagonal shaped Navajo home will provide sturdy, well-insulated structures designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the high desert, where winds may exceed 60 mph, dust is an insidious invader, and rains when they finally do come are torrential. For more information on His Call Christian Missions, please go to www.hiscallmissions.org.
So what specifically is Mercyhurst Preparatory School doing? A group of approximately 25 students, under faculty and adult volunteer supervision, will be constructing eight 12’ x 8’ walls here at MPS over Easter Break. This is the hands-on portion of the project. (Plans are available for review upon request.) The completed walls will then be transported to the reservation in Arizona by His Call Missions to be erected on a cement slab, insulated, wired for electricity, dry-walled, and fitted with roof trusses, windows and a door. This exciting, history-making project will take considerable support from the MPS community as well as the greater Erie community.
Educational Issues to be Addressed by the Project
This project gives our academic departments amply opportunity to explore educational issues related to the Navajo Native Americans. One of several fundraising events scheduled for this year is a Navajo Festival Day (February 18, 2010). This “Jeans Day” event allows students usually in uniform clothing to wear jeans for a nominal fee. In the weeks building up to this event, classroom teachers will present various lessons and project assignments relevant to the Navajo. The students in turn will then present their work in various modalities to the school community on Navajo Festival Day. Specific departmental plans include:
- The Social Studies Dept will explore the history, culture, and geography of the reservation, as well as the key events, historical figures, and the resulting legislative decisions leading to the tribe’s current situation.
- The English Department will investigate the literature about and by the Navajo.
- The Theology Department will explore the beliefs and traditions of the Navajo as well as the peace and justice issues related to their present plight and living conditions.
- The World Language Department will translate Navajo tales into the target languages.
- The Math Department will be using the octagonal nature of the Hogan as its emphasis.
- The Fine Arts Department will be examining the symbolism of Navajo art.
- The Creative Arts Department will survey the music and dance of the culture.
Each Department (lead by Dept. Chairs) and its teachers will establish methodology specific to the projects they develop and create assessments to insure academic legitimacy and integrity.
How can you help?
- Make a monetary donation to the Navajo Hogan Project (check should be made payable to Mercyhurst Prep).
You (or your group or organization) can even consider sponsoring an entire wall.
- Purchase a Jeans Day ticket on our Navajo Festival Day, Thursday, February 18, 2010.
- Talk to your church leader about what your church community could do to help.
The following organizations or families have agreed to partner with us on this project:
- Lake Erie Christian Fellowship, Erie, PA
Has donated funds to sponsor a 12’ x 8’ wall
- Dr. and Mrs. Barry Stamm (Parents of Ashley Stamm ’12)
Has donated funds to sponsor a 12’ x 8’ wall
- Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fugate (Parents of James ’12)
Has donated to the general project
- Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Bergkessel
Has donated funds to purchase the front entrance door
- Erie Community Foundation
Has designated this project as a 2009 Link to Learning Mini-Grant recipient
- St. Mark Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Erie, PA
Has agreed to do a Lenten time fundraiser
- Glenwood United Methodist Church, Erie, PA
Has committed to matching our efforts by building a second set of Hogan walls
- Tomoka Christian Church, Ormond Beach, FL
Has committed to sending a work team in April to build the Hogan(s)
Contact Tim Hurst, Project Coordinator at 824-2111 or thurst@mpslakers.com for more information. |
