NIEA Annual Conference 2007 | Honolulu, Hawaii
November 2007 by Tayloe McConnell
Salina Bookshelf has just arrived home from the 38th annual National Indian Education Association convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. The symposium took place Oct. 25–28 at Honolulu’s Hawaii Convention Center and Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort. More than 3,000 people attended the conference, including Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr. and his wife Vikki. The NIEA is the nation’s largest and oldest Indian education organization. Its mission is to protect the cultural and linguistic customs of Native peoples while working to achieve equality throughout the country’s educational institutions.
Over the course of four days, Salina Bookshelf had the opportunity to meet every one of the conference’s attendees. According to Salina’s Art Director Bahe Whitethorne, Jr. the native Hawaaiians were especially interested in Salina Bookshelf and its representation of the Navajo language and culture. "Every Hawaiian teacher was into what we’re doing in terms of language publishing," he said, "especially because we’re not federally funded, we’re independent."
Throughout the conference, many tribes were inspired by Salina’s efforts to revitalize the Navajo language, because they are attempting the same preservation efforts within their own communities. One woman in particular was grateful that that Salina had already laid the groundwork for Native language preservation in its children’s books. As a company, Salina was applauded for its efforts in maintaining an authenticity of the Navajo culture through its publications.
Whitethorne said one of the highlights of the conference was learning how many similarities there are among the Hawaiian and Navajo cultures. "They have a Thanksgiving-like feast in the winter where everyone comes together, and we have a similar celebration of family and community where we take time to give thanks … And, there were a lot of (Hawaiian) stories that pertain to white shells. Their white shells represented a female figure, and in Navajo we have White Shell Woman, who came from water."
During the conference’s closing ceremonies, the NEIA gave a presentation about a special ceremonial canoe pilgrimage from Oahu to Tahiti, which then traveled from Seattle to Sitka, Alaska. The canoe was constructed from native Alaska trees and the crew navigated using the stars and constellations. Once the crew arrived in Sitka, the trees used to construct the canoes were replanted in a ceremony.
NIEA representatives said the mission was to plant the trees so that the pilgrimage could be reenacted in 100 years. This pilgrimage ties into language preservation and revitalization in that planting the seeds of language is much like replanting trees for future generations. After the conference’s closing ceremony, everyone celebrated with a traditional Hawaiian Pow Wow and a pig roast.
"This was by far my favorite conference I have attended," Whitethorne said. "Everyone was so passionate about what they were doing. The teachers and language instructors were into sharing themselves, their culture and language. So, they were teachers and learners at the same time. And, the overall atmosphere was energetic; there was smiling and laugher everywhere you went."
Salina's New Addition
Tayloe McConnell, Editor
Back at home, Salina Bookshelf would like to welcome its new editor, Tayloe McConnell. As the former assistant editor of Northern Arizona’s Mountain Living Magazine and Flagstaff Live as well as a graduate from Northern Arizona University’s master’s program in English with an emphasis in literacy and rhetoric, she looks forward to working with emerging authors and developing the company’s ongoing electronic media projects. Tayloe’s strong focus on literacy issues has given her a desire to help writers find their voice and share it with a wide audience.
Contact:
Tayloe McConnell, Editor
(877) 527-0070
Diné Bizaad Binahoo'aah:
Rediscover the Navajo Language Featured Book
November 2007
by Evangeline Parsons Yazzie; Margaret Spea
Salina Bookshelf is also proud to announce the release of its most progressive Navajo language text book to date, Diné Bizaad Bínáhoo’ahh: Rediscovering the Navajo Language, by Evangeline Parsons Yazzie, Ed., and Dr. Margaret Spea. This college and secondary level text book is a modern introduction to the Navajo language through a verb-based curriculum. The detailed and comprehensive text provides clear explanations of Navajo vocabulary and grammar, which are the building blocks of communication. Readings, photos, and writing exercises give practice and context through lessons on geography, history and culture.
Navajo Language Textbook Webinar
As an introduction to Diné Bizaad Bínáhoo’ahh, Salina is launching a Webinar for educators. This web-based workshop gives educators access to all the book’s materials and information. The workshop allows visitors to browse the book’s content through online presentations and instruction on its language methods and materials. Visitors can also navigate through the text book’s features and instructional materials and interact with other instructors.
Begin Webinar Presentation >
Reading Is Fundamental
November 2007 | Salina Bookshelf, Inc.
Red is Beautiful: Chííh Nizhóní
(RIF)Reading is Fundamental has partnered with Salina Bookshelf to produce an online flash story for its children’s book Red is Beautiful: Chííh Nizhóní, by Roberta John. The story will be available through Reading is Fundamental’s website. Visitors can click on the book’s flash button and track the story of Nashasha, a young girl who is constantly picked on by her peers.
Her classmates call her Chiizhii, "the girl with the rough skin." But, Nashasha finds comfort at home in her grandmother’s wisdom. In a story that all children can relate to and learn from, Nashasha discovers how to overcome the teasing. Follow Nashasha’s story through the rich, cultural illustrations of Jason David.
"Red Is Beautiful" | Reading is Fundamental.org
Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa’: Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home
If you enjoyed viewing the flash story of Red is Beautiful: Chííh Nizhóní, by Roberta John, then you’ll love the online flash story for Dzání Yázhí Naazbaa’: Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home, by award-winning author Evangeline Parsons Yazzie, Ed.D. The story, which received the 2006 Children’s Choice award, is brought to life on the screen. Visitors can click on the book’s flash button and track the story of Dzáníbaa’, a young girl who was captured by U.S. Soldiers and taken to Fort Canby in New Mexico. From there she is forced to walk to Bosque Redondo.
For four years, Dzáníbaa’ and her family endure incredible hardship and sacrifice. Nevertheless, the struggle gives Dzáníbaa’ a profound sense of herself as a Navajo and of the importance of her culture. Follow Dzáníbaa’’s story on the screen through the salient, dramatic illustrations of award-winning Navajo artist Irving Toddy. These realistic depictions of the experiences of the Navajo during their period at Bosque Redondo provide children insight to Navajo history from a Navajo perspective.
"Little Woman Warrior Who Came Home" | Salina Bookshelf, Inc.
Salina Bookshelf has Moved!
November 2007 | Salina Bookshelf, Inc.
In December, Salina Bookshelf will be moving to its brand-new location. The new 2,500-square-foot facility, located at:
Salina Bookshelf, Inc.
3120 N. Caden Court, Ste. 4
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
On the East Side of Flagstaff, will feature a sound-proof recording studio for recording audio books and digital materials.
National Education Assocation 2008 Calendar Release
December 20, 2007
Dear Salina Bookshelf Readers,
Flagstaff, Ariz. — Salina Bookshelf, Inc. would like to take the opportunity to announce that its 2007 children’s book, The Navajo Year, Walk Through Many Seasons, is featured in the National Education Association’s Read Across America’s 2008 Resource Calendar. The Navajo Year, written by award-winning author Nancy Bo Flood and illustrated by Billy Whitethorne, is the featured book for the month of November, which is National Indian Heritage Month.
The 2008 Resource Calendar is part of NEA’s year-long promotion of its Read Across America campaign, which is dedicated to building a nation of avid readers. The 2008 calendar is filled with art by well-known children’s illustrators, and each month highlights fun books along with book tips, links, activities, and events. Although Read Across America Day officially takes place March 3, 2008, the celebration extends throughout the entire year.
We are excited to be a part of the pursuit to promote reading and literacy in children across America, especially in partnership with an organization that comprises 3.2 million dedicated educators and administrators. We at Salina Bookshelf are honored to appear in the NEA calendar next to such featured books as Caroline Kennedy’s A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children and Pat Mora’s Yum! ¡MmMm! ¡Qué Rico!
A primary goal of Salina Bookshelf, Inc. is to provide Native American youths, particularly Navajos, with quality literature about their culture in order to build self-esteem and to educate them about their language. We strive to make every book a work of art and our authors and illustrators have included Baje Whitethorne Sr., Ryan Singer, Ryan Huna Smith, and Newbery winner Ann Nolan Clark.
We are thrilled to be recognized by the NEA, which is the nation’s largest professional employee organization. Founded in 1857, it has been committed to advancing the cause of public education, from pre-school to university graduate programs. To learn more about NEA’s Read Across America program and to order your own copy of the 2008 Resource Calendar, visit www.nea.org/readacross.
Thank you being a supporter of Salina Bookshelf books. It is your support that aids in furthering these important literacy efforts.
Sincerely,
Tayloe McConnelltmcconnell@salinabookshelf.comEditor
Salina Bookshelf, Inc.