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CULTURAL EDUCATION ========================================================

Program Coordinator: Bryan F. Vigil

Since values are the foundation, they are identified as the strategy issue for cultural learning and activities. The Cultural Education Program make presentations to classrooms and instruction in beadwork, mocassin making, breakmaking, tiswin making, tipi pole cutting, tipi setup, arrow flaking, basket weaving, sewing, making jerky, storytelling, history, making bow and arrows and butchering, as well as coordinated culture camps throughout the seasons.

The Culture Program has established a buffalo herd and is a member of the Inter-tribal Bison Cooperative. Elders believe that the buffalo will bring families back together. For centuries the buffalo has sustained the Jicarilla. As one elder states,

"The people have hope again because the buffalo is coming back to us."

The Elder's Committee (see Culture Committee) is a strong proponent of this program, giving advice and direction for all areas.

Example of values:

people help each other
respect (for all things)
value culture
willingness to share
ability to listen
patience
prayer

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Central to the continued existence, survival and future prosperity of the Jicarilla Tribe is the concept of

"Aba'achi migoya' meedasi nzho'go me ch'aa kai'i,"

the Apache philosophy of life; the Apache will lead forward by strong and beautiful thoughts.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Goal: To protect and identify traditional cultural properties on and off the Jicarilla Apache Reservation by establishing a Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO), developing databases to track sites, and laws to protect sacred sites and culturally significant places.

LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION

Goal: To achieve full retention of the Jicarilla language by creating a Jicarilla Apache dictionary, offering language classes to the community, teaching language in the schools, teaching parents and offering camps with language immersion components.

CULTURAL EDUCATION

Goal: To transfer cultural knowledge to future generations by involving all generations in the cultural learning process, working closely with the Culture Committee, and teaching values and traditions at every opportunity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Click here for more info.

MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT

Goal: To preserve, document and teach the cultural arts by developing a museum and expanded culture center, encourage traditional way of art-making and storytelling, creating community pride by disseminating information in all areas of culture, and facilitating art shows, artisan cooperative marketing, promotion and tourism management.

MISSION

"The Jicarilla Apache Cultural Affairs Office strives to be the center of positive cultural experiences and hands-on cultural activities that will ultimately preserve the Jicarilla Apache traditional and cultural resources by serving as a liaison to other tribal departments and operating under the pedagogy and guidance of the Jicarilla Apache Culture Committee."

The Culture Center (Cultural Affairs, 2003) was established on October 8, 1997 when now current Director Lorene Willis was transferred by the Legislative Council of the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

The Center's building was rebuilt in the blueprint of the 1920 Bureau of Indian Affair's Superintendent's home to maintain it's status as a historic building on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Center involves the tribal community in a broad range of cultural programs and classes as well as provides the Nation's Section 106 consultation process as in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act.

In March 2003, the Center adopted its Strategic Plan for Moving Ahead which outlines developmental plans for the four programs under the Cultural Affairs Office:

Language Revitalization
Cultural Education
Museum Development
Historic Preservation

LOCATION: Corner of Highway 64 and Basket Lane, Phone No. 575-759-1343 or 0083. Fax 575-759-1342.

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