November 2023 ScheduleAll Events are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Montezuma Castle 
What Is Native American Heritage Month?Native American Hertiage Month is celebrated every year throughout the United States during the month of November. Native Amercans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiin's, and Island communities are celebrated, honoring their traditions, languages, and stories. At Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments we recognize the month of November by bringing in local artists, musicians, dancers, and demonstraters from afiliated tribes. We have a wide variety of Hopi, Zuni, Yavapai-Apache, Diné, and Tohono O'odham representatives who come to our parks and share the beauty of their culture with visitors.Visit our park during November and learn about Hopi kachina carvings, Zuni fetish carvings, Tohono O'odham pottery, Diné silversmithing, Yavapai-Apache dances, and much more! Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events during November. Native American Heritage Month Participants
Ryon PolequaptewaRyon is a Hopi kachina carver and musician from the Hopi mesas in Arizona. He has participated in multiple events at both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments for multiple years, even serving as a Artist In Residence for a season.Ryon implements traditional Hopi kachina carving styles into his work, making a name for himself as a renowned carver. In the Hopi Katsina religion, katsina or katsinam spirits are said to live on the San Francisco peaks in Flagstaff, Arizona. Each katsina spirit embodies different aspects in the lives of the Hopi people, serving their own unique purpose. Ryon loves to talk with visitors about the meaning behind each of his carvings and what they represent. To go along with his carvings, Ryon also shares his music with visitors. Using his drum to keep beat while he sings traditional songs in the Hopi language. He also utilizes Native American Flutes to create a welcoming and peaceful ambience. 
Jerry WhagadoRaised on the Hopi Mesas and of Western Apache decent, Jerry Whagado infuses Hopi silver overlay and Apache designs into his silversmithing work. He is a two time award winner at the Sante Fe, New Mexico Indian Market. Jerry's work can be found in many gift stores, jewelry stores, and trading posts throughout to Southwest. He has been coming to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments for years, bringing with him his beautiful pieces. 
Duran GasperDuran Gasper's work can be found throughout the Southwest, winning awards and being displayed at famous markets. He is a master silversmith who utilizes Zuni inlay techniques into his jewelry. He incorporates traditional Zuni symbols and patterns to tell stories of his people through his creations. He often travels with Jimmy Yawakia to display their work together. 
Jimmy YawakiaJimmy is a skilled and passionate Zuni fetish carver who puts deep thought and spirituality into all of his carvings. He tells stories of the significance in Zuni with their fetishes and how they enhance their daily lives. He often travels with Duran Gasper to display their work together. Bringing with him his carving tools to demonstrate how he makes his detailed carvings using a wide variety of stones. "Prehistoric time the medicine society back home, there are 8 societies that exist. They are the ones that have the capabilities to use the abilities of the fetishes. That's why they are originally called Zuni fetishes." - Jimmy Yawakia 
Kathy VanceKathleen (Kathy) Vance is of Tohono O’odham and San Carlos Apache lineage and calls the southern Arizona desert home. Kathy has been culturally influenced by a community of people who respect and value the Himdag (O’odham lifeways). In 2000, Kathy began working with Alicia Bustamante of S-Gogoksidk community located in northern Mexico, which is historically O’odham country. Alicia was one of the few remaining traditional O’odham potters. With Alicia, Kathy learned the fundamentals of the anvil and paddle method. Alicia encouraged Kathy not to give up and reassured her that great potters have humble beginnings and that each setback is actually growth in this tradition. In 2006. Kathy met Reuben Naranjo who became a resource and mentor to her. For the past 17 years, under his teachings and guidance, she continues to produce utilitarian pottery such as; cooking vessels, water ollas, seed jars, effigy pots and whistles 
Dee JacksonA multi-talented artist who comes from 6 generations of silversmithing in her Diné side as well as 5 generations of making pottery. Dee Jackson has come and demonstrated her work at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments many times, bringing impressive and stunning work each time! Showcasing a wide variety of silver inlay, beadwork, and pottery. 
Davis MahoDavis is a skilled weaver from First Mesa (Hopi). He has come to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments many times bringing with him his loom. He sets up his loom and works on and showcases the complex weaving patterns used in Hopi weaving. He teaches visitors about the use of the large variety of colors, patterns, and designs that help bring the Hopi culture to life. 
Shawn RamonShawn is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and grew up around livestock. Constant repairs to saddles and bridles allowed him to build on his craft which he was able to focus on more the past few years. Shawn demonstrates his craft and sharing stories about himself and culture. Bringing his leather working kits with him to show visitors how its done.
Marvene and Nuvadi DawahoyaMarvene Dawahoya is a Hopi basket weaver from the village of Polacca on First Mesa. Marvene will demonstrate tradition basket weaving; hand made using raw yucca. The process entails weaving the yucca then tying baskets to a traditional wood frame, such as sumac or willow branches, and using commercial dye to paint intricate designs. Nuvadi Dawahoya, from Hopi’s Second Mesa, is a wood carver and will be demonstrating animal figurine carvings made from cottonwood root. These figurines are hand sanded, stained, textured, and painted with natural pigments and acrylic paints. Each figure is completely unique from one another and no two are ever alike. 
Ron CarlosRon Carlos (Piipaash) demonstrates the art and beauty of traditional paddle and anvil pottery. Ron is descended from both Pima and Maricopa tribes and is an enrolled tribal member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. His pottery is made from all natural materials. All clays and pigments are hand dug and processed by him and family members. His pottery is constructed using the paddle and anvil which is a type of pottery-making technique indigenous to both the Maricopa and Pima tribes of southern Arizona. 
Renee ArchambaultRenee Archambault is from the Hopi tribe and lives in Moenkopi, Arizona on the Hopi reservation. She is from the Tawawungwa(Sun) clan and makes utilitarian pieces for household and ceremonial uses. She has been making pottery for over 25 years and creates red pottery with black designs on it. She began making pottery when she learned of the craft from her mentor and teacher Ethen Youvella who was a potter from first mesa. When Renee needs clay to make her pieces, she ventures out to her clay sites on the Hopi reservations and digs what she needs. Most of her pieces are sold to be used in various households and ceremonies. |
Last updated: November 29, 2023