From TTAP to NPS: Kendrick Nahohai

Kendrick and fellow TTAP IYSC intern hewing logs for a preservation project at Earl Head Homestead in El Malpais National Monument.

NPS / Steve Baumann

Interns work on a drainage project near the administration building at El Morro National Park.

NPS / Calvin Chimoni

In January 2023, Kendrick Nahohai completed the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP) as a part of the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) at El Morro National Monument. Soon afterwards he became an NPS employee. We caught up with him to hear about his experience in the program, his background, and his work now as an NPS employee.

When were you a part TTAP-IYSC and when did you join the NPS?

During the Spring of 2022 while scrolling through my social media platforms, I came across an advertisement from the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps page about the opportunity of an Individual Placement internship here at El Morro National Monument. A fellow intern and I started on July 11, 2022. In late Spring 2023, I was given the opportunity to join the NPS team as a NPS Masonry Worker here at El Morro National Monument.

How did you first become interested in historic preservation?

My interest working on preservation work came while working with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) completing hitches that included trail work and preservation work. During my time with ALCC, I traveled throughout most of the Southwest to many ancestral Native American sites and dwellings. During my hitches to conduct preservation work, we engaged our minds, our energy, and our physical labor. As a Pueblo Native American, all of those sites we had been gave myself and my fellow confreres a sense of affirmation that our ancestors were glad for our presence - to be there to work on the structures they had once occupied hundreds of years ago. Having a positive mindset while working on the structures even when the weather was so unbearable with high temperatures always preceded a good reward afterwards like getting greeted by rain or the appreciation of kind words received for our diligence of workmanship. All of these memorable reflections had sparked a light in my mind that this path was my path to follow and endure.

Kendrick now works as an NPS employee at El Morro National Monument where he has been performing masonry work.

Kendrick Nahohai

What were the coolest projects you worked on in TTAP-IYSC?

There are two coolest projects I'd like to highlight. First, we were given instruction to make repairs in room 16 here at El Morro's A'tsinna Pueblo. The reason why is one of the nights while at home asleep, a dream came to me as I visualized the completion of the extensive mortar repairs a fellow intern and I were appointed with. In the dream I had seen the wall finished with all the rocks that had fallen out from the wall from seasonal weathering impacts which were rightfully placed back in. As we were making repairs and all crevasses were point-tucked with mortar, chills settled in as we had completed the wall with the same vision I had seen in my dream. The feeling of assurance that this what my ancestors wanted us to witness to be done.

Secondly, working on the log cabin at Earl Homestead widened my perception of preservation. Before this experience, I vaguely thought historic preservation was limited to ancient dwellings like those throughout the old world alike. This had changed too as I quickly realized that the cabin structures built during the Homestead Act era are just as very important to the American history as those of the Native American ancient dwellings.

How did TTAP-IYSC help prepare you for your NPS position?

While under TTAP with ALCC's Individual Placement Program multiple doors opened while perhaps some other doors were closing. It gave me the opportunity to put my foot in the door of the NPS realm. Both the ALCC IP program and leading crews with ALCC in previous years sharpened up my knowledge of different styles of masonry fabrications, preservation work, and various conservation work with multiple agencies such the NPS, the U.S. Forest Service, and Tribal entities. I believe this experience has given me a chance to be a suitable candidate to be hired as an NPS employee.

What advice would you give someone interested in TTAP-IYSC?

My advice to any person rather it be old or young would be no matter where you come from, what background you were brought into this world with, don't let that define yourself and the dreams you wish to pursue. Diamonds are made under pressure and when done right a beautiful gem is presented. There is an old statement that says, "Rome was not built in a day". I prefer to say "Chaco Canyon was not built in a day".

To learn more, visit the Traditional Trades Advancement Program - Indian Youth Service Corps program page.