spotlight on honors

Experiential Learning

cross-cultural experience With the Navajo Nation IN Arizona

October 2011 

Indiana State University honors students participating in the Poverty and Education Seminar crossed cultures again with a visit to the Navajo Nation in early October. This trip was a continuation of an exciting, working relationship between ISU and Pinon High School.

Participating in the trip were seniors Justin Todd and Charlie Ricker, juniors Rachel Hand and Laura Brassie and sophomores Shannon Winklepleck, Alicia Lindsay, Wes Burcham, Heather Slee, Sarah Gilland and Mallory Metheny. Professors Greg Bierly and Tonya Balch accompanied, as well as videographer Tracy Ford to capture every shenanigan.

The purpose of the trip was simply to listen and learn from the Navajo people. We spent a day in Pinon High School, shadowing students and learning some of the language and traditions. We also painted a graffiti-covered water tank, visited Monument Valley and Cedar Mesa and found much joy in purchasing authentic, hand-made jewelry.  We heard the students’ stories and better understood the daily struggles of living on the reservation, such as isolation, unemployment and alcoholism. More importantly, though, we saw emerging leadership from the Pinon high-schoolers. Their energy and optimism was absolutely contagious.

The relationship between ISU and PHS students is strong. It’s curious and supportive and above all, it’s real. One evening, everyone crowded into the home of Kristin Monts for a traditional meal of Navajo tacos and blue corn mush. In the steamy kitchen, two different cultures intertwined over fry bread and the desire to learn about a people different than themselves. This is the beauty of honors opportunity—you go, and you grow.

-Mallory Metheny, Communication major

view a photo gallery of this trip