“In a matrilineal society on Hopi, we are expected to fulfill certain roles in the village to ensure the land is cared for.”

HopiHopi - PE

May 22

Maree Mahkewa (mah-ree mah-kew-ah)

youth ambassador for land conservation

IMAGE SOURCE: Amber Benally. “Native Youth on Becoming Future Ancestors.” Blog post. grandcanyontrust.org. 15 Apr. 2021. | TEXT SOURCE: Amber Benally. “Native Youth on Becoming Future Ancestors.” Blog post. grandcanyontrust.org. 15 Apr. 2021.

QUOTE CONTEXT: “As a member of the Corn Clan (Qaaöwungwa), Maree explained how her role as a woman is grounded in caretaking for the Earth...This part of her identity is fundamental to the work she undertakes.”

QUOTE QUESTION: What is your role as land caretaker?

IMAGE CONTEXT: “Sustainability is keeping food local and sharing it with the community will lead to healthier communities and better lifestyles…As we’ve been taught [as Hopi] that the more work you put in, and prayer, the more you will get out. That’s a resilient system that will provide for generations to come."

IMAGE QUESTION: What harvest brings you joy?

MEDIA LITERACY CONTEXT: The quote and photo are from a blog post.

MEDIA LITERACY QUESTION: How do you decide which social media channels are best to share the lives of your People?

“In a matrilineal society on Hopi, we are expected to fulfill certain roles in the village to ensure the land is cared for.”

Maree Mahkewa (mah-ree mah-kew-ah)

“We today live under one life philosophy which is principled upon compassion, reciprocity, stewardship and really about humility.”

“The land actually owns us when you think about it. We don’t own land. We don’t own water. It owns us. Because without it, we can’t survive.”