For Immediate Release: June 2009

Contact: Shanna Downey, 505.863.3192

For a complete schedule, visit www.navajolifeway.org

13 Annual Sheep is Life Celebration

Free Events & Fun for the Whole Family

Friday and Saturday, 19-20 June 2009

Navajo Preparatory School Campus, 1220 West Apache, Farmington, NM

 

 

9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

Edison Wauneka, Chair, Navajo Preparatory School Board

 

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ongoing Activities

Hands-on Demonstrations

Dibé Nitsaa Guild and Four Corners Weavers Guild

activities include the “Sheep to Loom” and “Sheep to Shawl” steps –

skirting, carding, washing, dyeing, spinning and weaving

experience both the Navajo and the European styles of wool processing

 

Navajo-Churro Sheep Association Hospitality Tent.

Share, spin, and learn more about the Navajo-Churro Sheep.

 

Sheep Story Booth, Lore of the Land.

Record stories, family memories, and oral history about all things sheep. All ages and all cultures welcomed. Participants receive a copy of their recording.

 

4-H Youth Camp. Felix Nez, Diné College Land Grant Program.

Youth and Elders Day. 4-H Sheep Show. Wool grading with Patricia Quintana.

 

 

Workshops and Lectures.

Check at the Information Booth for specific locations.

10 a.m. The Future of Fort Wingate Southwestern Sheep Breeding Laboratory. Dr. Lyle McNeal. Learn about the plans for creating a sheep heritage site at historic Fort Wingate, New Mexico, 15 miles east of Gallup. Find out how to support the vision for Dine’, Hispanic, and Anglo sheep and wool cultures of the Four Corners Region.

 

10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Financial recordkeeping for sheep producers, farmers and ranchers. Tilda Woody. Many sheep producers and weavers do not receive the benefits they deserve. Learn how to keep records and qualify for refunds and tax breaks.

 

10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Horse Therapy Program. Prunell Charley and Brian Johnson.

Learn about Sage Memorial Hospital’s new program using horses as a tool for outreach therapy. Discuss the potential for a Sheep Therapy program.

 

11 a.m. Flock Recordkeeping and Genetic Management. Bonnie Barcus and Sam Cunningham

 

1 p.m. “To Walk in Beauty: A Navajo Family’s Journey Home.” Stacia Spragg-Braude.

Slide show and lecture on this new book, published by Museum of New Mexico Press.

 

1 p.m. Ram Breeding Soundness Examination and Its Importance. Dr. Lyle McNeal.

Presentation about the pre-breeding season evaluation of a ram or rams for your flock and it’s value to the sheep producer.

2 p.m. Field Inspection and Registration. Jim Keyes.

Demonstration of the registration process for Navajo-Churro sheep, including required records, paperwork, and photos..

3 p.m. Weavers Roundtable. Joyce Begay-Foss, Chair, Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

Discussion on Navajo weaving: Marketing and impact of imported imitation textiles. Open dialog on concerns of weavers. Review of Indian Arts and Crafts Board source directory for Native American artists.

 

5 – 7 p.m. Hogan Storytelling, open session.

7:30 – 8:30 p.m. 4-H Youth Hogan Storytelling.

5 – 7 p.m. Film Showing on DVD. “Gift of Talking God.”

 

8 a.m. – noon. Fiber Artist: Check-in your work for the Auction, Eagle Gym.

8 – 10 a.m. Navajo-Churro Sheep Association meeting. Everyone welcomed.

 

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ongoing Activities

 

Hands-on Demonstrations

Dibé Nitsaa Guild and Four Corners Weavers Guild

activities include the “Sheep to Loom” and “Sheep to Shawl” steps –

skirting, carding, washing, dyeing, spinning and weaving

experience both the Navajo and the European styles of wool processing

 

Navajo-Churro Sheep Association Hospitality Tent

Share, spin, and learn more about the Navajo-Churro Sheep.

 

Van of Enchantment, Museum of New Mexico

New Mexico Trails and Tales, an exhibit with touchable items and authentic artifacts that tell the stories of ancient trails and modern roads; with a focus on sheep in the Four Corners region.

 

4-H Youth Camp. Felix Nez, Diné College Land Grant Program.

Exhibits and activities for youth exploring agriculture.

 

 

Saturday Workshops, Lectures, and Shows.

Check at the Information Booth for specific locations.

 

8 a.m. – noon. Navajo Sheep Ceremony. Anderson Hoskie, Medicine Man.

 

9 a.m. Diné Binaahalye’e Bibee Haaz’áanii. Robert Yazzie, Diné Policy Institute.

Roundtable discussion with former Navajo Supreme Court Chief Justice on integrating Navajo traditional law, culture, and philosophy into Navajo legal and legislative systems.

 

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hogan open for storytelling and impromptu gatherings

 

10 a.m. Navajo-Churro Fleece Show. Judged by Connie Taylor, with “Spinner’s Choice” selected by Sarah Natani and TahNibaa Naataanii. Ribbons and awards.

 

11 a.m. Harvesting Rainwater Seminar. Hank Stevens.

How to catch rainwater from existing structures and store for future use. Examples from Navajo Mountain project. Handouts with construction plans, materials, and costs.

 

1 p.m. Navajo-Churro Sheep Show. Judged by Dr. Lyle McNeal.

Ribbons and awards. Special Class for Mature Ewes and Senior Navajo Shepherdesses.

 

2 – 4 p.m. Fiber Arts Auction Preview and Reception. Eagle Gym

Joyce Begay-Foss, Consumer Buyers Workshop. How to purchase authentic Navajo textiles.

Auction Preview Reception sponsored by Navajo-Churro Sheep Association.

 

7 p.m. Navajo Fiber Arts Auction. Eagle Gym

Everyone welcome. No entry fee or charge for bid cards. Navajo artists receive 90% of sales price; 10% commission benefits Teec Nos Pos Youth Program and DBI programs.

 

5 p.m. Saturday, Eagle Gym. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Chef Walter Whitewater, Red Mesa Cuisine.

Tickets required. $30 in advance; $35 at the door.

Sheep is Life is a program of Diné be’ iiná, Inc., a nonprofit organization incorporated in the Navajo Nation and federally tax-exempt under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code.

The Celebration is an official event of the International Year of Natural Fibers.

PO Box 683, Window Rock, AZ 86515

505.863.3192 www.navajolifeway.org

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Elder Navajo Shepherdesses to be Recognized at the Sheep is Life Celebration

Navajo Shepherdesses of senior citizen age are invited to bring their mature ewes to compete in a special class at the Navajo-Churro Sheep Show on Saturday, June 20, at the 13^th Annual Sheep is Life Celebration in Farmington, New Mexico. The purpose is to honor elder shepherdesses who maintain the Navajo Sheep Culture and Philosophy. Ewes must be over four years of age; the exhibitor must be a senior citizen and the owner of the sheep. Awards for this class are sponsored by Dr. Lyle McNeal, founder of the Navajo Sheep Project.

Shepherdesses and their mature ewes can register on Saturday, June 20, between noon and 1:00 p.m. at the Navajo Preparatory School Campus, 1220 West Apache Street, in Farmington.

The Sheep Show takes place from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. All Navajo-Churro sheep producers are welcomed to enter in over six classes of rams, ewes, and lambs. Ribbons include first through fourth place in each class, with plaques sponsored by La Plata Farms for the Grand and Reserve Champions. Entry information is available at www.navajolifeway.org, or call 505-863-3192.

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Navajo Fiber Arts Auction:

Navajo weavers and fiber artists are invited to submit work for the Sheep is Life Auction, to be held Saturday, June 20, in Farmington, New Mexico. Weavings and fiber arts must be 100 percent wool; work made from hand processed wool in natural colors and vegetal dyes are preferred. Artists receive 90 percent of the sales price; five percent benefits Teec Nos Pos Youth Programs and five percent supports Sheep is Life. Submit weavings and fiber arts to the Auction Committee on Saturday, June 20, between 8:00 a.m. and noon at the Eagle Gym on Navajo Preparatory School Campus, 1220 West Apache Street, Farmington, New Mexico. The Auction begins at 7:00 p.m.

The public is invited to an Auction Preview Reception from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, hosted by the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association. Joyce Begay-Foss will answer questions from buyers and artists about the special qualities that identify authentic Navajo textiles. Bid cards and admission to the auction are free. Visit www.navajolifeway.org for a complete schedule, or call 505-863-3192.