This was really special to see. Much was done in tribute to the elders who had the foresight to dedicate their lands to be used for the Tsaile campus of Navajo Community College that was first housed at Many Farms in 1968. The original landbreaking and dedication ceremony at Tsaile was in 1971. Many people who were there attended the rededication on April 13, 2008. The same cane (or fire poker), contributed by Edward Bahe Harvey, used ceremoniously to plant the seed of education in 1971, has been used in ceremonies since that time and was used again for the rededication. Mr. Harvey, too, was honored. College employee and medicine man, Avery Denny, explained the significance of the symbols used in the ceremony. He said that 40 years ago, we realized that western education was not providing everything needed by Navajo young people. "We begin everything important by calling on the Holy People....Today we replant the seed in our songs and prayers and philosophy....healing education." College President Ferlin Clark talked about the significance of prayer for traditional Navajos who pray at first dawn's light, all through the day, and again at night. There was humor, too, especially when re-telling the stories of the people (now elders, but many are still here) who went to Washington, DC, to explain about the wish of Navajos (joined by other tribes) who wanted to have their own tribally controlled institutions of higher learning. Comments like what makes you Navajos think you can run a college? were heard at that time. But hearing the stories now, one has to understand that there was so much belief and determination on the part of the folks who were sure this was a good thing that there was no way to stop the progress.
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