Hopi language resources now available!
All in Hopi and English

Hopi Language Lesson CDs
Music CDs
DVDs
Books
"Let's Speak Hopi" sticker


From left to right: Ivy, Charlotte, Wendy, Michael (in back).
Photos courtesy of Footprints of the Ancestors Project.

1.  To create and produce Hopi language learning materials for Hopi people by Hopi people in Hopi communities.

2.  To disseminate Hopi language learning materials to teachers, community members, youth and adults.

3. To train teachers and other educators to use Hopi language materials in public schools and during activities at the village level.

4.  To encourage educators and Hopi citizens to create their own language learning materials.

5. To assist others with projects that focus on Hopi language revitalization.

                            Our History

In 2004, two Hopi community members founded Mesa Media, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the Hopi language. Anita Poleahla is Aaswungwa (Tansy Mustard Clan) from the village of Sitsom’ovi and speaks fluently in First Mesa dialect.  Ferrell Secakuku is Tsu’wungwa (Snake Clan) from the village of Sipaulovi and is a fluent speaker of the Second Mesa dialect.  Both Anita and Ferrell were raised in traditional Hopi households and believe that all Hopi people deserve the opportunity to understand the richness of the Hopi language and its teachings.   

Very few books, CDs, and DVDs exist for those who wish to learn and practice the Hopi language.  Mesa Media’s goal is to change this by publishing books, songs, CDs, DVDs and games that teach about Hopi life.  Anita and Ferrell create learning materials that are culturally sensitive, respecting that some knowledge should be kept private.  The songs and stories that appear in books, CDs and DVDs are based on Hopi stories and teachings that have been passed from generation to generation. To date, Mesa Media has produced four CDs with Hopi-English songbooks, three DVDs with Hopi-English translations and two volumes of puzzle books of Hopi vocabulary. Most recently, we are working to publish a booklet and audio CD entitled Hopihiniwtipu: Hopi History that documents a Hopi perspective of history in both spoken and written forms and includes both Hopi and English. Hopihiniwtipu will also be available for free as a web-based, interactive timeline.

 

In 2005, Mesa Media obtained our 501 (c) (3) designation. We now function as a non-profit organization within the state of Arizona and work directly with our patent attorney, Tyson Winarski, to protect the intellectual property rights of all of our advisors and Hopi scholars.  Every CD, DVD and book is copyrighted.  Mesa Media's Board of Directors is guided primarily by Hopi community members, which ensures that our projects serve the needs of the Hopi community. 

    Mesa Media Serves the Hopi Community

About 6500 Hopi people live on the Hopi Reservation. Many others work or attend school in neighboring towns such as Albuquerque, Flagstaff and Phoenix. Adults work for a variety of village-run programs, for the school system, as members of the U.S. Armed Forces, for the Hopi Tribal government or as artisans or private businesspeople. Hopi children attend one of several elementary schools and most finish their secondary education at Hopi Junior/Senior High School or Tuba City High School. Each of the 12 Hopi villages has its own history, ceremonial cycle, politics and social organization. These 12 villages are: Waalpi (Walpi), Hanoki (Hano or Tewa), Sitsom'ovi (Sichomovi), Musungnuvi (Mishongnovi), Sipawlavi (Shipaulovi), Songoopavi (Shongopavi), Kiqötsmovi (Kykotsmovi), Orayvi (Oraibi), Hot'vela (Hotevilla), Paaqavi (Bacavi), Atkya Munqapi (Lower Moencopi) and Ooveq Munqapi (Upper Moencopi).    
                           
            On the Path to Learn Hopi

Teaching the Hopi language has its own momentum. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. Approximately 10 years ago I began the Hopi language journey, walking softly in my moccasins. My path was rough, it had lots of pebbles, mud; it was hard, and without clear direction. But one day I found the map, the signs were visible. I had just overlooked Hopi Prophecy.

Hopi may be the language of the heart, the language from which Hopi people find spiritual renewal, but English is the language of the land in which we live.  Not learning English is, in effect, an unwitting way of giving the white man power over our Hopi lives. One must learn the white man’s ways, not to become more like the white man, but rather to be able to pick what is best from them and discard what might be harmful to the Hopi way of life.  If we use things the right way then we can preserve this world. The Hopi way of life is prayer and communication with the creator.  Our cultural traditions show us the way of life that has been provided to us by the creator.  Prophecy is the guidance.

As I work to teach my language, I become conscious of time and the significance of Hopi. I am reminded that it is embedded in the Hopi way of life that is rapidly changing. The positioning and social role of the Hopi language demands specific approach toward Hopi language curriculum development. Time is of the essence and the task is enormous.

The students have a lot to offer. I want to foster their knowledge, artistic ability and enthusiasm. The students bring different strengths to the classroom. One might have great pronunciation but hate studying grammar. Another might learn new words easily but resist speaking. It gets overwhelming. I recognize that by helping my students master the Hopi language, I will not only give them a lifelong source of personal pleasure, I will help them work to be Hopi.
                                                                Anita Poleahla, July 2011

**Hinton, Leanne.  2001.  The Green Book of Language Revitalization in Practice. Academic Press.  

Logo graphic drawing by Kurt Lomawaima.