What Would Changing Woman Do? | A Diné Perspective on Education

Summary

This script discusses the traditional definition of education and its shortcomings in addressing modern issues. It proposes an alternative view inspired by the Navajo culture, emphasizing values like compassion, collaboration, and respect for the Earth. The script highlights the importance of ceremonies like the first laugh and puberty rites in teaching these values, suggesting that education should focus on cultivating a sense of kinship, generosity, and reverence for nature before imparting academic knowledge.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The word 'educate' originates from Latin roots implying a process of leading someone out into the world.
• 📚 Modern education often overlooks values like compassion, collaboration, and respect for the earth in favor of material success.
• 🌱 The script suggests redefining education to include values such as kinship, generosity, and respect for the earth.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The concept of 'ke' or kinship emphasizes viewing the world as one's family and treating all with familial love and support.
• 💖 'Aoba' or kindness, humility, and generosity are central to the Navajo culture's view of an educated person.
• 🌍 'Nast' or the earth is considered a nurturing mother, highlighting the importance of treating the earth with respect and care.
• 🎓 Traditional ceremonies like the first laugh ceremony and the Womanhood/Manhood ceremony are integral to educating children about community and generosity.
• 🌽 The Womanhood ceremony involves practical lessons in generosity and humility, like giving away a corn cake made by the initiate.
• 🏞️ The Manhood ceremony teaches respect for women and the earth, instilling values of protection, compassion, and honor.
• 🌈 The principle of 'hon' or joy is the ultimate goal of education, suggesting that true education leads to personal fulfillment and the ability to find joy.
• 🌐 The script calls for a reimagining of education that prioritizes values over skills, emphasizing the importance of a values-based foundation for learning.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'educate' and what does it imply?

The word 'educate' comes from two Latin morphemes: 'ex' which means out through or forth, and 'ducere' which means to lead. Thus, it implies leading a person out and forth into the world.

What are the current goals of education as described in the script?

The current goals of education are getting good grades, going to college, getting a job, making money, and achieving material security.

What values are missing from the current trajectory of education according to the script?

The script suggests that the current trajectory of education lacks values such as compassion, collaboration, kindness, humility, respect for the earth, a sense of spiritual belonging, and peace.

What are the four principles that define an educated person in the worldview of the Diné (Navajo) culture?

The four principles are: 1) Ké (kinship and harmony), 2) Aoba (kindness, humility, and generosity), 3) Nast (respect for the Earth), and 4) Hózhó (beauty or joy).

How does the concept of Ké relate to the educated person in the Diné culture?

In the Diné culture, an educated person sees the world as their family and friend, supporting others as they would their own mother or brother.

What is the significance of the Aoba principle in the Diné culture's view of education?

Aoba emphasizes kindness, humility, and generosity. The educated person is expected to contribute to the whole and be elevated when they put themselves in the back of the line.

How does the Nast principle connect the educated person to the Earth in the Diné culture?

The Nast principle views the Earth as a nurturing and loving mother. The educated person respects and treats the Earth with tenderness, love, and care.

What does the Hózhó principle represent in the context of Diné education?

Hózhó represents beauty or joy. The educated person is able to hold joy in their hearts and heal themselves from trauma to find joy and beauty once again.

What are the two major ceremonies in Diné culture that instill these principles into a child?

The two major ceremonies are the First Laugh Ceremony and the Womanhood or Manhood ceremony.

What is the purpose of the First Laugh Ceremony in Diné culture?

The First Laugh Ceremony celebrates a baby's first laugh, signaling joy and the beginning of their life. It teaches the infant about generosity and community.

How does the Womanhood ceremony educate a girl in Diné culture?

The Womanhood ceremony involves a girl grinding corn for four days to make a large corn cake, which she gives away to her community. This teaches her kindness, humility, and generosity.

What is the role of the Manhood ceremony in the education of young men in Diné culture?

The Manhood ceremony involves a young man entering the sweat lodge with older men to learn how to honor and respect women and the Earth. This teaches him compassion, honor, tenacity, and joy.

What is the final lesson of education as described in the script?

The final lesson is that we are here on Earth to love, honor, and celebrate each other, ourselves, and the Earth.