Ranger sits with a guest infront of a crowd sitting on benches with a canyon in the background.

Sunset Talk - Grand Canyon Speaks | Desert View Amphitheater | Interview with Marvene and Nuvadi Dawahoya (Hopi Artists)

Grand Canyon National Park

  • Jul 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
  • Free

Desert View is a small settlement on the South Rim, located 23 miles/ 37 km east of Grand Canyon Village on Arizona State Route 64 (Desert View Drive). Desert View is a small settlement on the South Rim, located 23 miles/ 37 km east of Grand Canyon Village on Arizona State Route 64 (Desert View Drive). 

On Tuesday and Thursday, the Sunset Talks are "Grand Canyon Speaks" presentations, in which members of Grand Canyon's Native American Communities share their rich history, culture, and personal connections to Grand Canyon, through storytelling, singing, and hands-on-learning.  

Today's interview is with 
Marvene Dawahoya - Hopi Basket Weaver
Nuvadi Dawahoya - Hopi Kachina Carver

Masters of their crafts, Marvene, and Nuvadi love coming to the canyon to share their artforms, personal stories, and culture. They welcome questions and conversations from everyone who stops by. Come by to watch sunset and hear their stories. 

Marvene was taught how to weave baskets by her step-mother, Doris, and has been creating sifter baskets from yucca since 2016. According to Marvene, yucca is considered to be a sacred plant - there is a process that a Hopi woman has to go through in order to be able to handle yucca and make the baskets. Marvene says she is privileged to be able to make yucca baskets and she draws her inspiration for her designs from the natural things in life.

Nuvadi "Snow" Dawahoya was born into the Hopi reservation in 1976. He began carving kachina dolls in 1995. His kachinas are carved from cottonwood roots and with a variety of sharp knives. The wood is sanded smoothly and textured with a wood burner.

"I was inspired and learned to craft my dolls from watching other family members. Although some of my work is traditional, I have created my own style of carvings. I am well known for my Butterfly Maiden and the Warrior Mouse kachina. I am proud and honored to be artistically gifted with this special talent. I am also extremely enthusiastic about sharing my kachina dolls with all who respect and appreciate my artistic abilities and my cultural background." —Nuvadi Dawahoya 

During the summer of 2025, Sunset Talks by park rangers will take place at the Desert View Amphitheater on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6:45 pm.  Enjoy a program with a beautiful sunset backdrop. The talks start an hour before sunset, and end with enough time to take pictures and enjoy the view. 

Dress warmly for this outdoor event. Seating is on stone benches. 

All outdoor programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

More information

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

From the Desert View visitor parking lot, follow a paved footpath towards the Desert View Watchtower, a prominent 70-foot-high, cylindrical shaped, stone building. The amphitheater is near the watchtower, alongside the paved footpath between the watchtower and the commercial tour bus and RV parking lot.

Latitude and Longitude 36.043304, -111.827023

Schedule

Date:

Jul 1, 2025

Time:

6:45 PM

Duration:

1 hour

Event Type

  • Campfire/Evening Program
Tags: desert view amphitheater, desert view, dv sunset talk, ranger program, evening program, sunset, hopi