Indigenous Resilience Center Cultural Grounding
The Indigenous Resilience (IRes) Center convened a small circle of prayer and support for community members within the Environmental Resources building on January 22 in the center of our building for a cultural grounding.
With cultural knowledge keepers Dr. Sharon Arviso (Dine) and Miguel Flores (Pascua Yaqui) who provided a blessing for our students and faculty, the gathering was set to remind our students and community members the importance of connection—not only to our families while we live away from our home communities, but to the traditions and teachings we carry within ourselves, and to the land the university is located on. Through shared stories, prayers, and blessings from our elders and cultural knowledge keepers, we reaffirmed our collective purpose.
In times of uncertainty and challenge, we often seek guidance from those who hold the wisdom of our ancestors as cultural knowledge keepers. Their role in our communities is not only to preserve the traditions and histories of our people, but to also provide a cultural grounding.
As we continue through the semester and work within our communities, may we continue to carry with us the teachings and strength imparted by our elders, knowing that the path we walk in hope, unity, and using the Four R’s of Indigenous Resilience: Relationship, Respect, Reciprocity, and Responsibility.
For Native Americans, cultural knowledge keepers play a crucial role in preserving our heritage, ensuring that our traditional practices continue to be a source of wisdom for future generations. Dr. Arviso and Miguel Flores Jr. are elders, storytellers, medicine people, and community leaders who also serve as bridges between the past and the present. Their cultural teachings, often rooted in oral histories, and principles emphasize respect for all living beings, reminded us of the importance of balance and community. By turning to them for guidance, we reaffirm our commitment to these values, recognizing that resilience is also about thriving through collective community efforts.
At the heart of the cultural gathering were the prayers and blessings offered by our elders and cultural knowledge keeper, Dr. Arviso who blessed and encouraged us to remember our teachings, these were not just words spoken into the air; but a deep understanding of the power of prayer and peace aka Hozho.
Pascua Yaqui community spiritual leader Miguel Flores Jr. led us through cultural protocols, ensuring that the event was rooted in authenticity and reverence. Both their prayers invoked the wisdom of those who walked before us, calling upon their spirits to guide us in our endeavors. This act of honoring our ancestors is a practice that has long been central to Native communities and acknowledges that we do not walk this path alone, and are supported by those who came before us.
Beyond the spiritual significance, the event was also an opportunity to strengthen community ties. Faculty and staff from different departments, alongside students, gathered in solidarity, demonstrating that the university is not just an institution of learning but a place where cultural and spiritual identities can be nurtured. The presence of individuals from local tribal communities emphasized the importance of collaboration, reminding us that Indigenous resilience is also built on the culture of community and collective effort.
In the face of ongoing challenges—whether environmental, social, or political—we find strength in unity. Drawing from cultural knowledge keepers who work to help guide us along our way as a reminder to our responses and actions amidst the transitions, the words from their wisdom remain with us. They reminded us that despite the times, we have the tools within our traditions to navigate this glistening world.
The cultural grounding was a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to honoring the past while shaping the future. The IRes works to create a space where cultural teachings can thrive, ensuring that students and community members feel supported in their academic and professional journeys. It is through such events that we strengthen the foundation for future generations, ensuring that the knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors will continue to guide us.
In looking to our cultural knowledge keepers for prayers and blessings, we acknowledge the power of tradition in shaping our present and future. Their wisdom is not confined to the past but is a living history that continues to influence our lives and Thank everyone who joined us for this community event.