Helping the Hopi

The more we bump into the folks who are so-called “other,” the more we are stretched, the more we are pulled out of that bias and develop new truths because we have tangible evidence of the beautiful, powerful creativity of our God/Creator/Source who made all of this diversity for us to enjoy.

For as much as we may not fully understand their traditions and way of life, our friend AMJ will always take the time to share the Hopi’s philosophies. “A HOPI is one who understands that the greatest feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment of one’s individual participation in the society/community functions and activities is knowing that your contributions have resulted in benefits to the community and its people.”

The Covid pandemic and its consequences are still keeping our Hopi brothers and sisters terribly vulnerable.

We have recently been focused on helping to make firewood available to our brothers and sisters. The coal that many Hopi had been relying on for over a generation is no longer available. After nearly 50 years of operation and facing increased competition from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, the coal-fired Navajo Generating Station closed down. No alternative for heating was addressed or left in its place.

Different and more reliable sources for heat are imperative. But the immediate solution for many is a dependence on firewood. The main source of firewood is the Coconino National Forest, which is at least 150 mile round trip from Hopi. A permit for cutting wood, chain saws and splitters, reliable trucks and trailers are needed to retrieve the wood. A round trip for gas alone is over a very costly endeavor.

With the financial donations we were able to provide chain saws and a wood splitter. AMJ coordinated friends and families to harvest, cut and distribute wood to the neediest. It is heavy, hard work that requires a huge time commitment. The “wood project” needs to be worked on year-round in order to keep supplying the need each winter.

AMJ is so busy with not only protecting the elders but with guiding the young in ways to help sustain them for their lifetimes, and teaching them to learn these ways so as to pass on these lessons to the next generations. He encourages the young ones that are gifted with artistic talent to practice their artwork. The paper is expensive, so he doles it out very guardedly with the expectation that they are not wasteful. He holds classes where they learn to weave their traditional belts and robes on looms they learn to make. He camps with them down by their fields to teach them how to plant and raise corn and beans, in their desert farmlands wracked by climate change. He is working towards employing solar power to supply a drip water system he is undertaking. These methods all come with a price tag.

Our contributions to support their basic existence is one fulfillment to achieving what it means to be Hopi. Thank you for your help. Please reach out to me if you have food, wood, clothing, necessities that you can donate. Please share the GoFundMe link. Please know that anything you do matters greatly and is appreciated beyond words.

And finally, an online Etsy shop has opened that sells the fine artistic jewelry of Augustin Mowa, Jr.

Augustine contemplates each piece of jewelry individually. He receives the inspiration for each piece, draws the image he sees in his mind, and then creates a unique design.

In Hopi art every development is centered on Holy places and writings by means of pictures and symbols. Every detail in Hopi art is planned with meaning and purpose.

Other artists, such as Tara, have requested placing their art in this shop to draw attention to the beauty of the Hopi philosophy. Twenty percent of the sales of Tara’s artwork is donated to Helping the Hopi.

Here is the link for the Esty shop. Please consider the beauty of the art and the artists:

https://hopisunmoonstarshop.etsy.com