Introduction
Navajo children on the Navajo reservation live in two cultures; traditional Navajo and westernized U.S. culture. They have to navigate, function, and incorporate the two worlds. Art class in our school, is an elective class where students learn about how colors are combined to make primary, secondary and tertiary colors. It’s a class where students are learning about lines, shapes, how art supplies are used and creating art pieces using different mediums. It is a basic introduction due to it becoming a recent class. In contrast, the Navajo people are very enriched in art. Everything from rug weaving to jewelry making is considered art. While some middle school students may not be familiar with the theory and practice of art, many of them will have absorbed traditional Navajo aesthetics from family members, looking together at items like textiles, jewelry and moccasins produced in the community.
Being part of this seminar, I’ve learned art is not just something that hangs on the wall to be admired, it is telling a story that is either personal or telling a story about a time in history and why it is important. After a summary of the background, this course unit is structured to help us understand and critique the history of North America through art. The course unit helps us to look at the powerful messages of beliefs and practices of the earlier generations. In this curriculum, students will be learning about the Navajo Long Walk through photos and art pieces that were created to tell about this traumatic event.
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