Past Projects in Hopiland

Red Feather has helped to complete two homes in collaboration with Hopi families.

Tenakhongva Home
Shebola Home

Opportunities for Hopi Community Members

Indigenous Builders Exchange
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Hopi Nation: Long-term housing strategy

During the construction of Mary Tenakhongva's straw bale home in the Third Mesa village of Hotevilla, Red Feather staff was approached by leaders from the adjacent village of Bacavi about a potential partnership between our organization and the village. The timing was serendipitious - at the time, Red Feather was exploring a transition from the philosophy of "building one house" to focusing its efforts at the community level.

During the fall and winter of 2005 and 2006, Red Feather met with various community leaders and families from Bacavi to determine an appropriate approach for supporting Community Service Administrator Gail Poley's vision of returning the ethic of Hopi work parties, or na'ya, to the process of homebuilding.

Through conversations with Gail, Bacavi Lieutenant Governor Marlene Sekaquaptewa, and village board members, Kerri Shebola and her family were selected as a partner family. Kerri's son, Matthew - a survivor of Lymphoblastic Leukemia - required a healthy home to return to his home village of Bacavi. In September of 2006, Red Feather worked with the Shebolas, the vilage of Bacavi, and our partners to complete a new straw bale home for the Shebolas.

Red Feather's Project Focus

Very self-sufficient on the whole, the Hopi people of Third Mesa (includes Hotevilla, Bacavi, Old Oraibi, and Kykotsmovi) have welcomed Red Feather and are working with us to identify organizations and individuals who wish to move forward and initiate tribally-run organizations. September's build with the Shebola family of Bacavi was by far the most successful project of all Red Feather projects to date. The Community Service Administrators of Bacavi and Kykotsmovi, as well as Indigenous Builders Exchange participant Victor Lee Masayesva, were instrumental in getting this project off the ground and in spreading the word so that more tribal members took part in the construction of this home than any other project to date. Having identified several engaged, pro-active, enthusiastic tribal members, Red Feather's next step is to identify suitable organizations that can implement on-the-ground work that nurtures local motivation to build homes.

Opportunities at Hopi

For Hopi community members, there are a number of ways to become involved with Red Feather's work.

• Volunteer on a local Red Feather project. All volunteer fees are waived for tribal members.
• Apply for the Indigenous Builders Exchange. There are several fellowships available for Hopi individuals to receive paid training, either in their own community or during our building projects on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in southeastern Montana.
• Apply for a home with Red Feather.

Non-tribal members may support our efforts at Hopi by donating to our American Indian Sustainable Housing Initiative or by volunteering.