Native American Academic Summer Program

Even though summer programming ended a few months ago, many of the themes and lessons from NAAF’s summer activities remain ongoing throughout the year as a beacon of joy, learning, and community spirit. Central to these efforts, as always, is a focus on O’odham language and culture. One of NAAF’s primary areas of focus continues to be preserving and passing along vital knowledge regarding the cultural role of food, which serves as a bridge that nurtures the community physically while also preserving and celebrating traditional knowledge, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity among members.

To that end, in November, NAAF's Master Gardener presented at the Ali Chugk community meeting, resulting in an additional seven families signing up for home gardens. Once finalized, this will expand the total number of home gardens in the District to 26, alongside two community gardens and an Elder Center garden. This was a follow-up to the Haicu Huki (Food) Gathering event held in late September, which was brimming with excitement. During the gathering, gardening tips, recipes, and the triumphs of NAAF’s community garden were passionately shared, spreading invaluable knowledge on sustainable gardening practices.

Additionally, last September, NAAF officially launched a Free Food Pantry in Ruth’s Oidag, NAAF’s main community garden space. The Free Food Pantry was created to play a pivotal role in the community by helping to ensure families have access to essential fresh produce and pantry staples. One of NAAF’s key partners in this work, besides all the local growers, is the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank, which made generous food donations to the pantry on September 24, October 30, November 21, and December 19, 2024.

These events and supports, coupled with the commitment to explore creative partnerships and new programs dedicated to expanding the District’s food capacity, enabled NAAF to provide 9,093 meals and snacks to its students and families in 2024. Of course, food and culture aren’t the only noteworthy aspects of NAAF’s summertime programs. Another important part of NAAF camps is fun!

Over the summer, NAAF focused on activities that promote physical engagement and teamwork, such as traditional sports like Toka for women and Wuicuda for men. As the weather cooled, efforts were made this fall to repair the District’s baseball/softball diamond with the intention of creating a Softball Summer League. This league, which will run from April through the end of September, taking place every other Saturday, will foster teamwork and promote physical activity and community spirit. It will provide a positive, fun, and structured environment for participants and serve as a great segue into new summer adventure activities in 2025!

Dear Friends:

At the time of our last report summer had just arrived and with it came Summer Camp season!  The majority of summer’s adventures concluded earlier, but there was one last blowout to be enjoyed with NAAF hosting its 2^nd Annual O’odham Camp from July 8^th through July 12th.

Camp was held as planned with NAAF hosting in collaboration with the GuVo District Office. Originally camp enrollment was targeted at 30, but 58 youth ended up registering to attend. Camp followed a half day schedule of activities that centered around O'odham Himdag teachings and activities, such as popover making, clay making, traditional songs and dance and traditional games.

A highlight of the camp occurred on day two with a trip to the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Cultural Center and Museum located in Topawa, Arizona. The center is a 38,000 square foot modern facility, on 30 acres of pristine desert, that is dedicated to “preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the Tohono O’odham people.”  Center Staff led campers on a tour of the center’s cultural exhibitions, to help them learn more about their history and gain a deeper understanding of O’odham “himdag”, as well as help to hone the  groups amazing painting skills.

All-in-all, it was a fun and enriching way to help bring the Summer Camp season to a close, but just because all of this year’s camps concluded that didn’t mean all the summer fun had to end too.  Back in April NAAF received a grant to bring books featuring Native American authors, illustrators and characters into the District. It then was then fortunate enough to secure a second grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation which it is used to promote summer reading. 

Under NAAF’s “Summer Reading Challenge”, NAAF partnered with The Store to incentivize youth reading over the summer months. The Challenge’s basic structure was that for every 8 books a child read they would receive a prize voucher redeemable at The Store.  Youth filled out reading logs to track their reading and anyone who successfully read 8 books earned a $10.00 voucher redeemable at The Store. Then as they continued to read more and more books, they were able to earn greater and greater incentives.

It is never as exciting when summer ends than when it begins, but while it lasted District youth were able to enjoy a summer full of new discoveries and adventures. We can’t wait until next year to do it all over again and are sure the kiddos can’t either.

Links:

• Campers take a trip to the TON Cultural Center & Museum