In April 2008, because of funding from very generous donors and the unfailing support of the Custer Battlefield Museum, seven 18-year-old seniors from Lodge Grass High School on the Crow Indian Reservation undertook a ten-day journey to Guatemala. In addition to touring a massive area of this extraordinary country with two scholars, the students participated in a major archaeological project directed by renowned archaeologist Professor Arthur Demarest of Vanderbilt University. All of the students characterized it as a life-changing experience.
Accompanied by Dr. Plank and by Marc Wolf (M.A.), a professional archaeologist and surveyor with 20 years of experience in Guatemala, the students traversed nearly the entire country, from the black sands of the Pacific coast to the volcanic highlands that are home to the vibrant culture of the Maya Indian peoples.
For most students, it was their first time
in a plane, and their first view of the ocean. They went on an eco-tour of
the mangrove swamps of the Pacific estuaries, tasted the salt water and
swam in the gigantic surf of the west coast, and overcame their fears of
navigating a foreign city. They crossed the huge Lake Atitlan, surrounded
by volcanoes, to enter isolated Maya villages, where they experienced ancient
religious traditions and visited the shrines of important deities.
They learned enough Spanish to maneuver through the largest and hairiest
indigenous market in Central America in Chichicastenango, bargaining for
everything conceivable with speakers of Kekchi, Quiche, Tzutujil, and
Cakchiquel Maya.
After an extraordinary journey through the wild and
remote Cuchumatan mountains, they descended into the lowland
rainforest. They entered the fabulous cave system of the Candelaria, led
by Kekchi Maya guides who explained modern customs of sacrifice and
reverence for indigenous deities. At the Vanderbilt-run
archaeological and conservation site of Cancuen, Dr. Demarest spent many intimate
hours with our small group, explaining the intricacies of the science of Maya
archaeology in the midst of an excavation-in-progress, and regaling the
students with the exploits of a real Indiana Jones. With Marc Wolf, the
students learned techniques of mapping ancient ruins and the use of basic
survey instrumentation, and proved themselves fearless surveyors. The
students climbed the great pyramids of Tikal, while learning about the
political history of the site from Maya archaeologists; and finished
their experience with a tour of the canopy of the rainforest near Tikal,
swinging high above the forest floor in harnesses attached to cables, flying
from treetop to treetop.
Lodge Grass High School Crow Indian Reservation, Montana
In The Works: Native Artisans & Project Passport
Beaded elk hide baby moccasins. Made by Linda Covers Up (Crow).
In 2007-08, Project Passport worked with the senior class at Lodge Grass High School. Lodge Grass, Montana is a very traditional community known for its participation in Crow ceremonial life such as the sun dance and the sweat lodge. Many people speak the Crow language.
This year, the project funded and guided the entire class of 33 students through the process of obtaining birth certificates, tribal ID's, and passports. Students were assisted with everything from finding correct official forms to the detective work sometimes necessary to obtain family information for the passport application. In a small press event in April, students received their documents in a binder that will preserve them through the years.
This project of securing vital documents for American Indian high school students is utterly unique: all students will graduate with the credentials they need for employment and obtaining drivers' licenses.
It is the goal of Project Passport to open the door to travel not just to a few students, but to all; and to ensure that Native students exit high school with the documents they need to succeed.
Project Passport is combining the concept of an artisans' co-op with our own need for funding for students. Local artisans (including students!) and artists are contributing exquisite hand-made items and artworks to an eBay auction - everything from delicate beaded elk hide baby moccasins to sketches by internationally known artists such as Philip Beaumont, Jr. The project and the artisans split the proceeds from the auction. In this way, community members support both themselves and their students.
LOOK FOR OUR EBAY LINK HERE SOON!
Each item is accompanied by a certificate that describes the project and contains a statement from the artisan or artist about their work: each certificate is also signed by the artisan. It is rare to find acknowledgement of the individual artist in sales of Native American items: the signed certificates make these valuable collectors items.
ALL auction proceeds go directly to students and their travel expenses. No auction funds go to salaries or office expenses. Project Passport accounting is open and is available upon request.
Lodge Grass High School Class of 2008 with their vital documents
Dr. Plank with some of the students headed to Guatemala
