Language & Culture

PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER

Cultural Enrichment

We believe in the importance of ensuring the revitalization of our Native languages, and that our culture and traditions continue to pass on to the next generations. We have several Native language experts on staff and we contract with others to provide classes, workshops and events to the community. We have experts in cultural awareness to provide workshops and training for groups and organizations looking to embrace cultural diversity.

Check out our upcoming events! For questions about workshops call 602-264-6768.

LANGUAGE CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Seeking Navajo Language Instructors & Coaches

Our Language & Culture Program is seeking Navajo Language Instructors and Instructional Coaches to contract with for upcoming Navajo Language Classes. Come teach our urban Diné community!

Navajo Language Instructor(s): Will be responsible for teaching Navajo language classes and coordinating with the Language and Culture team in planning and implementation. They will assist in participant recruiting and registration, interface and support students and family in all areas of project. Other duties include tracking and submitting attendance, data collection and facilitation for reporting.
Instructional Coaches: Will assist the teacher in all facets of daily classroom management and maintain a proper environment for learning in-person at the site. They will assist in setting up materials and equipment including computers and other electronic devices for student use including assisting the teacher in maintaining student progress, attendance records, and any reporting needed for project.

To apply: Send a resume and letter of interest to Carol Oritz: cortiz@phxindcenter.org

For questions: Call 602-264-6768 or contact Elicia Goodsolider: egoodsoldier@phxindcenter.org

PARTICIPANTS WANTED

Take Our Indigenous Language Survey

Take Our Indigenous Language Survey!

We want to hear from you! We are looking for urban tribal community members to tell us what the next tribal language class should be offered at the Phoenix Indian Center! Please consider filling out this survey which will not take more than 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

To fill out the survey, click here.

Completed surveys will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 VISA gift card! This survey is open from Monday, April 1, 2024 to Friday, May 3, 2024. Thank you for your time!

If you have questions, contact Elicia Goodsoldier, Language and Culture Program Manager at 602-264-6768 or email at: egoodsoldier@phxindcenter.org

Native American Elders Mentoring Program

The Phoenix Indian Center is looking for Native Elders, who are 55 years of age or older, in the Phoenix metro area to participate in a program geared toward supporting and mentoring Native youth through cultural education and preservation.

This mentorship will require a commitment to attend events, youth council meetings, community gatherings, and general advisement in Living In 2 Worlds workshops and other Phoenix Indian Center events as determined by project leads. You will also receive a stipend for your time! We hope to hear from you soon.

To submit an online application, click here.

To download a PDF version of the application, click here.

For questions contact:
Iyona Freeland: ifreeland@phxindcenter.org or call 602-264-6768.

Community Events

Seasonal Storytelling

Each season the Phoenix Indian Center offers special culturally based storytelling events using experts to share cultural teachings. Some past events included Navajo Shoegame, Winter string games etc. We are planning future storytelling events. Check this page often for updated information about upcoming sessions.

Boys with Braids

The significance of having long hair is sacred amongst all American Indians. It connects us to our cultural identity, our spirituality and our ancestors. While all tribes are different and have varying stories and traditions about what having long hair signifies, they have teachings and a cultural connection. Long hair promotes self-esteem, self-respect, and pride. Long hair is a form of self expression that reinforces a connection to one’s family, tribe, community and traditions. Click here to download the Boys with Braids resource sheet for teachers.

Language Classes

Welcome to our Language Classes website. Please scroll this tab to see available courses and information. For questions call (602) 264-6768.

Indigenous Language Classes Focus Groups

The Phoenix Indian Center is looking for community members to participate in focus groups to provide feedback on Indigenous language learning and what other Indigenous languages should be offered locally. In partnership with ASU Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, we want to hear from the urban Indigenous community in Maricopa County. There will be two focus groups held online through Zoom and will be about 60 minutes long. For your participation, $50 gift cards will be offered to those who complete a focus group session. Sign up by emailing Kami Ortiz at kortiz@phxindcenter.org

Dates: Thursday, April 18 or Tuesday, April 23

Time: 6 PM – 7 PM

Location: Virtual through Zoom

For questions contact Kami Ortiz, Language & Culture Coordinator

Email: kortiz@phxindcenter.org Phone: 602-264-6768

Indigenous Language Survey

Completed surveys will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 VISA gift card! This survey is open from Monday, April 1, 2024 to Friday, May 3, 2024. Thank you for your time!

If you have questions, contact Elicia Goodsoldier, Language and Culture Program Manager at 602-264-6768 or email at: egoodsoldier@phxindcenter.org

Beginning Navajo Language Class

Class Dates: Thursday, Feb. 22 – April 25, 2024
Registration is closed
About The Course: This class is intended for those who have zero to little exposure to the Navajo language. Participants must be dedicated to attending 8 or more classes out of the 10 and are encouraged to practice as much as possible as a family unit. It is our hope that participants will integrate at least one hour of practice per week in addition to course time and will keep a log of their practice time. With successful completion of Beginning Navajo I, we encourage participants to move into the Beginning Navajo II class. The course is limited to 25 participants per location. The Beginning Navajo Language class will begin on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM and will be held in-person with four location options to choose from:

*Phoenix Indian Center, 4520 N Central Ave Suite 250 Phoenix, AZ 85012
*Bustoz Professional Learning Center (Main Conference Room) 2020 E Carson Dr Tempe, AZ 85282
*Tolleson Union High School District 9801 W. Van Buren St. Tolleson, AZ 85353
*Families of 4 or more can also join in via Zoom

Beginning Navajo II Language Class

Class Dates: Saturday, March 09 – May 11, 2024
Registration is closed
About The Course: This 10-week Beginner II Navajo language class. This class is built on a basic understanding of Navajo language alphabet/sounds, sentence structure, and general vocabulary. We are encouraging students who completed the Beginning Navajo I in early 2024 to enroll in Beginner II Navajo starting in February 2024. Please note that this class is intended for those who have taken a prior Navajo language class and/or posess some conversational skills. This class will expand on sentence structure and practicing conversational skills. Participants must be dedicated to attending 8 or more classes out of the 10 and are encouraged to practice as much as possible as a family unit. It is our hope that participants will integrate at least one hour of practice per week in addition to course time and will keep a log of their practice time. Our instructor this series is Kevin Belin, Navajo Language and Culture instructor at Navajo Preparatory Academy. The course is limited to 30 participants. The Beginning Navajo Language class will begin on Saturday, March 09 from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM. We will have 3 in-person classes at the Phoenix Indian Center and 7 classes via Zoom. Click here to see the full class schedule.

Cultural Classes

Navajo Language Instructors & Coaches

The Phoenix Indian Center is seeking Navajo Language Instructors and Instructional Coaches to contract with for upcoming Navajo Language Classes.
Come teach our urban Diné community! Please note the following:

Navajo Language Instructor(s): Will be responsible for teaching Navajo language classes and coordinating with the Language and Culture team in planning and implementation. They will assist in participant recruiting and registration, interface and support students and family in all areas of the project. Other duties include tracking and submitting attendance, data collection and facilitation for reporting.

Instructional Coaches: Will assist the teacher in all facets of daily classroom management and maintain a proper environment for learning in-person at the site. They will assist in setting up materials and equipment including computers and other electronic devices for student use including assisting the teacher in maintaining student progress, attendance records, and any reporting needed for project.

To apply, send a resume and letter of interest to Carol Ortiz, Office Manager
Email: cortiz@phxindcenter.org

For questions contact Elicia Goodsoldier, Language & Culture Manager
Email: egoodsoldier@phxindcenter.org

Phone: 602-264-6768.

Cultural Awareness

American Indian Cultural Awareness Workshops and Training

We offer American Indian cultural competency training and workshops for departments, agencies, businesses, and schools. Trainings and workshops are designed to help non-American Indian child welfare workers, foster families, business and agency staff members learn and find resources on issues relevant to working with American Indian and Alaska Native adults, children and families. Participants benefit by learning about American Indian history, relevant Federal laws, and cultural considerations. We offer 1 hour, 2 hour or 3-hour presentations based on requestors’ need.

You may call the Phoenix Indian Center, (602) 264-6768 or email info@phxindcenter.org, to learn more and to schedule your cultural competency workshop.