ABSTRACT
“Listen carefully these baskets have a story to tell, for they were woven in the desert of the Tohono O’odham Nation. A Woven History is a collaboration between the Himdag Ki: (Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center and Museum) and the Tohono O’odham Community College. Both institutions have a fundamental mission to protect, preserve and promote O’odham traditions. In this essay, we will share a project, which fulfills this mission through hands-on experiences at the Himdag Ki:. Historical trauma, a sense of disconnect with the traditional language and culture, is at the root of many of the issues facing the Tohono O’odham. Re-connecting with one’s cultural heritage provides stability and nurtures a strong identity. The fundamental goal of the project is to provide the student participants the opportunity to deepen their connection with their heritage so that they may move forward carrying with them a profound understanding of their himdag, their way of life.
