HOTEVILLA,
Ariz. - In one of the most practically applied use of tribal monies
for a utilitarian project that honors water, the most essential
natural resource for everyone, the Village of Hotevilla on Third
Mesa has just completed the first phase of a natural village spring
restoration project.
Utilizing
the ancient art form of Hopi quarried masonry along with mentoring
younger Hopi men in sculptural stone art, the 3 1/2 month village
project has yielded a renovated, working spring that looks like
a prize winning, architectural water spa.
Some
of the artwork incorporated incised and three-dimensional clan markings
as a part of the overall structure, so a true Hopi aesthetic is
evident in the final product.
Robert
Sumatskuku, Assistant Community Service Administrator for Hotevilla,
submitted a full village restoration proposal to the Hopi Tribe's
budget oversight team originally for the amount of $175,000.
The
amount was projected to complete a full restoration that would end
with a second phase of work that will start next year. The second
phase will include some wall strengthening in the irrigated garden
area and some shoring up of the stone steps that lead to and from
the public use spring.
The
Hopi Tribe was only able to grant an amount of $87,500 from the
supplemental funding source, but this was a generous start; the
first part of the village project is now complete.
The
village also applied for EPA monies to finish the second half.
Sumatskuku
was pleased to say that the EPA has approved their request and that
the village is awaiting the final approval signatures from Hopi
officials to release their funding so that the second phase of the
project can begin.
The
Hopi Tribe's portion of money paid for salaries and benefits for
eight laborers and two lead foremen.
Nathaniel
Selestewa of Hotevilla was the principal lead foreman. He is a known,
gifted Hopi stone mason and has now been able to pass his expertise
on to some younger Hopi members at Hotevilla.
Jimmie
Lucero and Chris Cook were part of the crew who were at a special
luncheon on Dec. 4 to thank and honor the spring restoration work
that was done to benefit all Hotevilla village members who gather
water at the spring.
Lucero
had prior experience in working with Hopi stone, having apprenticed
under Danny and Kevin Lomatska, who are also renowned Hopi masons.
Lucero also went to architectural drafting school, so he also understood
about incorporating design work into the mathematical structuring.
Lucero
and Cook said that the project itself was "pretty back-breaking"
since they only used wheelbarrows to transport the carved stone,
and until a gas-powered cement mixer was brought in, they had to
mix the cement by hand.
Cook
said he didn't have any mason work experience but he learned a lot
on this project.
"I
was hired as basically just a grunt laborer, but [by] watching and
learning how to cut and shape the stone, I really learned a lot.
When we started to make the bench area for the ladies to sit on
..., it really made me feel good that I was doing something that
would really help all of us here."
Lucero
and Cook both added, "We all learned from each other on this
project, the younger guys learned a new skill [and] learned how
to work in structured shifts."
"We
also learned more about how to get the most from a power jackhammer,"
they said laughing.
The
Hotevilla Spring Renovation Crew included: Alvin Tenakhongva, Andrew
Duwyenie, Anthony Honanie, Bobby Saddleblanket, Chris Cook, Courtney
Outie, Craig Masayesva, Darwin Kayquaptewa, Daryl Lomatewama, Eldon
Selestewa, Eric Chapman, Eric Tenakhongva, Erickson Tessay, Faron
Ahownewa, Hubert Tenakhongva, Jimmie D. Lucero, Joseph Montoya,
Kevin Crooke, Kevin Quanimptewa, Larson Onsae Jr., Lean Monogye,
Leander Tenakhongva, Marvin sekayesva, Michael Sakenima, Michael
Tenakhongva, Nathaniel Selestewa, Norman Albert, Oran Selestewa,
Raynard Nasingoitewa, Reginald Selestewa, Robert Bible, Robert Kaursgowa,
Robert Tenakhongva, Roy Masayesva, Sam Kayquaptewa, Steven Kuyvya,
Terrance Tewa, Thomas Hoyungowa, Walter Poleyma Jr., Wilford Duwyenie
and Willis Monogye.
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