The public is invited to attend a free presentation on the culture, traditions, and history of the Navajo Indians at Tunxis Community College in Farmington on October 5, 10-11:30 a.m. in Room 6-127. Refreshments and authentic Navajo tacos made with frybread will be served.
Eleven tribe members from the Navajo Reservation in Gallup, NM will be featured, with talks on Navajo prayers, religious ceremonies, daily life, health care, basket- and rug-weaving, and jewelry. Dressed in traditional Navajo attire, the tribe members will also sing traditional songs and give Navajo flute and dance performances.
Event organizer Dr. Frances O’Neil, Tunxis professor of psychology, has developed several courses on American Indians of the southwest with other Tunxis faculty that utilize her extensive research on Navajo, Mojave and Pueblo Indian reservations. O’Neil has participated in many of the rituals and ceremonies while visiting the reservations, and was a recipient of three Navajo blessing and healing ceremonies. O’Neil is currently teaching “Navajo Indians” and “Native Peoples of the Southwest.” She will teach “The Mojave Indians” and “The Pueblo Indians” in spring 2011 semester, which starts January 21.
For more information on the Navajo Day event or about Tunxis courses on American Indians, call 860.255.3734 or 255.3500, or e-mail foneil@txcc.commnet.edu. Those who are interested in attending are encouraged to arrive early.
Tunxis is located at the junction of Routes 6 and 177. Visit Tunxis at tunxis.commnet.edu.
