
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact : Christopher Elliott 277-1989
October 24, 2006
Experience the Diné at UNM
Experience the Diné culture presented through the arts. The 16th Navajo Studies Conference presents a tour of Santa Fe, a rug auction and a film festival on Saturday, Nov. 4. Sponsored by the University of New Mexico and the University Libraries Indigenous Nations Library Program, these activities are open to anyone interested in learning more about Navajo language, culture and history.
Beginning with a look into the role of oral history in Navajo culture, the tour will include the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology and the School of American Research. Departing from the Dane Smith Circle on UNM's main campus, the tour of Santa Fe is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will include lunch, shopping and site-seeing in Santa Fe Plaza. The group will also visit the historic Case Trading Post in the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian and see outdoor sculptures by Alan Houser. Lunch, transportation and admission fees to all museums are included in a $50 charge.
The Navajo Rug Auction, with a preview at 11 a.m. and an auction at 1 p.m. in Ballroom B and C of the Student Union Building on the UNM main campus, will entertain those interested in learning about and buying rugs. Come browse the colorful rugs.
Navajo films will be presented at the Navajo Studies Conference in association with the UNM Kiva Club in the 2nd Hanáál'na'alkid Film Festival. “Rezpect” written by UNM student Jay Cee Beyale and “Weaving a World” by Bennie Klain are two of many films showing at the conference in SUB Ballroom A on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The film festival will continue on Monday, Nov. 6 in the Southwest Film Center in the SUB, according to Patrick Willink, UNM graduate student, the organizer. The audience also can participate in a question and answer panel with the film makers after the screenings.
“It is about telling our stories,” Willink said. “It gives people exposure to the Navajo film maker and insight into the life and culture of the Diné.”
The aforementioned activities are part of a four-day conference featuring several speakers, including Navajo scholars and researchers. Interested parties can register for the entire conference or for one-day attendance at http://elibrary.unm.edu/inlp/navajo_studies-conf.php . For more information or specific questions call Mary Alice Tsosie at (505) 277-8922.
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