Besides the drought, and the obvious problems that come with having no water delivery infrastructure, including transportation, or means, the HOPI reservation is now struggling with the water sources that ARE available bearing radioactive contamination with Uranium and Arsenic. And no other immediate, close, accessible, constant, and/or dependable source of water is available! PEOPLE ARE FACED WIT
H A CHOICE: DRINK NOW. DIE LATER... OR DIE NOW OF THIRST? Mmmmm... what would you choose? Why should these folks not have a choice that includes not dying at all, when thinking about drinking water. WATER IS LIFE... or so it should be. We are here in collaboration with many beautiful people we have met along the way that are willing to help in any way they can. Be it helping with the cause, funding, hands on digging the wells, or all of the above! We are thankful that everyone is willing to put their heart forward and aid in this very human cause. A cause that if brought to fruition may be copied and emulated in other communities around the globe suffering the same or worse. Natwanhoyum Tunatya (The Divine Plan) is a project is a project to maintain the Balance of Life. The Hopi Way of Life is extremely complex and often misunderstood. In today's society. The Hopi Elders struggle to maintain and uphold the sacred instructions of Maasu. It has become more apparent that redirecting the youth in the Sacred Balance of Life and the Hopi traditional values and culture is needed. In our Tunatya we must began bridging the world of modem technology and Hopi traditional farming to accommodate the changing world. The benefits of
solar power energy/drip irrigation will support the need of eating healthy organic foods and in addition, expose the Hopi youth and people to a better quality life through alternative energy and resources. It has become a practice of the Hopi to purchase produce such as sweet com and other products for Hopi ceremonies. The Natwanhoyum will continue the practice of dry farming Hopi seeds, such as com, Hopi Squash, melon, beans, etc. With drip irrigation, the project hopes to provide produce to the Hopi ceremonies by creating a garden of organic greens that would be distributed among them. GOALS:
Namitnagwa- To teach and practice the principal of farming together. Sumitnagwa- To teach and practice the principal of working and praying with one heart. Sustainability- To expose new technologies to HOPI nation in hopes that the youth and
any interested parties would benefit and gain knowledge in this technology. ACTIVITIES:
Begin planting in April, 2014. Remove and protect plants from pesticides, weeds and wind, Pray for rain to nurture life.Conduct talking circles on the Hopi values, culture and language. Harvest and roast sweet com in October 2014. The Natwanhoyum participants are driven to the field site by volunteers to spent four hours planting, hoeing or irrigation field. Upon arrival, the children express their gratitude by yelling "QuaQuai" in Hopi (Thank You). They run through the fields spreading positive vibrations as they appreciate the growth of their plants on a daily basis. After completing their chores on field, the youth pray for all life. Singing Hopi songs is a part of the joy in the ride going home.
