“Hopivewat tutuqaikikit itamungem nawakinta”
Over forty years ago, the discussion and planning for the Hopi Museum were initiated by leaders of the Hopi tribe, cultural advisors, and community members. Over the next several years, tribal advocates and Hopi scholars have continued the dream of developing a cultural resource and education center. The determination to keep the Hopi way intact and the vision to seek continued preservation are guided by three specific goals:
The Hopi cultural and traditional heritage is valuable and should be preserved.
HLC has the potential to assist in the continued development and strengthening of modern management practices regarding cultural preservation and community-based learning and sharing
Economic benefits for the Hopi people should accrue through the operations of the new museum and cultural education center.
“As the Hopi enter into each changing year, we find ourselves in a challenging yet unpredictable world. The Hopi yearn for a better tomorrow, yet are skeptical of its coming... there is a vital need to retain our Hopi beliefs, customs, religion, arts, traditions, and language, which are fast being lost...a Hopi heritage-center is needed”
HLC’s Origin Story
What do we want to preserve for our future generation?
The idea for a Hopi museum and resource center began when elders from various villages came together and expressed to the Hopi Tribe the need to begin saving our culture. The ability to keep Hopi lavayi and navoti is a community based need, and we, as Hopi people, have the capabilities to create and build our cultural resources.
How did the project begin?
It has been nearly forty years since the idea of a Hopi Museum began formulating. The earliest documented project plans are the 1987 Hopi Tutukaiki master plans and resolution where the Hopi Tribal Council first established the project a ‘top priority’ for the people through
Resolution H-121-85. Then, Hopi leaders and professionals collaborated on preparing defining aspects of a suitable plan. What was created then was impeccable work, with a vison for all Hopi villages to have access. After shifts in Tribal Council leadership, the museum project was put on halt.
Years later in 2009, Hopi scholars Susan Secakuku and Marissa Nuvayestewa saw the need to revitalize the project after the concept of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA, 1990) allowed tribes to steward our cultural assets and build our tribal laws and policies. Several Hopi community members voluntarily developed new strategies towards a museum through conducting research on other tribal museums, compared models, and began land assessments and program feasibility. The volunteer committee also initiated outreach with additional stakeholders such as the Hopi foundation, Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, and the Museum of Northern Arizona.
In 2017, a Hopivewat Learning Center Board of Trustees was established and a board elected. HLC was also incorporated as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) in 2018. In the same year, project staff and Board of Trustees initiated a new land site feasibility study to determine a favorable home for HLC in the near future. We always welcome community input!
On-going
Today, HLC moves forward with rejuvenated efforts, using traditional practices of care and patience. We recognize the working history of previous plans and value on-going work with the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office and important stakeholders to create consensus on the important factors essential to managing out resources for future generations. We continue to expand our outreach into the villages and the larger Hopi community. Our mission is to further maintenance of our Hopi cultural way of life, along with creating an understanding, and strengthening leadership. Learn more about our story at ARCHPODNET where Susan Sekaquaptewa and Marissa Nuvayestewa are interviewed about Hopivewat’s history.
-Hopivewat planning session 2014
-HLC cleanup, Georgie Pongyesva 2021
Board of Trustees
Lee Yaiva, Chairperson
Dr. Robert Breunig, Vice-Chairperson
Daryl Melvin, Treasurer
Ronald Wadsworth, Board Member
Georgie Pongyesva, Secretary
