Navajo Nation 2012

Student helping Navajo elder into a chair

Location

Navajo Nation, Chinle, AZ

Time Frame

Spring term. 2 ½ - 3 weeks in early May

Clinical Experiences

Rotations through all departments in rural Chinle Hospital. Home visits and public health work with IHS and tribal nurses.

Other Experiences

Service projects
Native Healers

Outside trips/Weekend culture experiences

Window Rock, Hubble Trading Center, Flea Markets, Rodeo, Hiking in Canyon de Chelly, Native Cooking

Cost

~$2040 (including tuition)

We will attend a Pow Wow and visit with Native Americans in their homes both here in Provo and in Chinle. We live, work, and mingle among the people and the ward family. Fridays we provide service in the community, Saturdays we play. We visit Canyon de Chelly, Four Corners, weekend trip to Window Rock and Gallup, New Mexico (Code Talkers monument, Hubble Trading Post, Flea Market).

Reflection:

“I was walking along the same paths and seeing the same views as hundreds of Navajo before me. So much has happened in that canyon, thousands of years of history. Much heartache and horrific events occurred there, but as Ravis was quick to point out, many good things as well. They do not keep going back to the canyon to remember the bad things, to blame others, they go back to keep the traditions of their father’s alive. They LOVE the canyon. I had no idea how much, until I came here and talked to the people. It is an extremely beautiful place and they take a lot of pride in it.”

Student nurses with children in Navajo Nation Student nurses participating in highway cleanup Student nurse providing foot care for a Navajo woman participating in Diabetes Awareness Walk