April 7, 2025
New Activities Added
march 18, 2025
good morning and thank you for visiting the Mesa media website. We hope you are well and we like to share with you a few new activities that we have developed for your use in your home and classroom, in order to practice learning the Hopi language.
Hopi Clans
March 10, 2025
Hello everyone and thank you for visiting our website. Today we are sharing with you a useful document on Hopi clans. Please feel free to share and teach your family about your clans.
Valentine’s Day
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day and the many forms of love it honors, it’s important to reflect on the significance of love not only in our hearts but also in the language we speak. For the Hopi people, language is not just a means of communication; it is a vital thread that connects generations, preserves culture, and strengthens the bond within their community.
The Hopi language, a key part of the Uto-Aztecan language family, is a cornerstone of Hopi identity. It is deeply embedded in our history, traditions, and daily life. The Hopi language is sacred—it carries stories, ceremonies, and teachings passed down through centuries.
Valentine’s Day, traditionally associated with expressions of affection, can be a time for us to also express our commitment to preserving our languages and cultures. The Hopi language, like many Indigenous languages, is facing challenges, but it remains a symbol of resilience and strength. Revitalizing and preserving the Hopi language ensures that future generations can continue to experience and share Hopi words.
This Valentine’s Day, let us remember the love for our heritage, our languages, and our communities. Just as we express affection for one another, let’s show love for the Hopi language by supporting efforts to teach and pass it on, ensuring that it flourishes for years to come.
Askwali/Kwa’kway (Thank you) for your support in helping preserve this precious gift of language and culture. Please feel free to share these free downloads with others.
Ouch! That’s My Bill
December 21, 2024
English translation of the story “Ana! pam imotsovu”.
On the south side of the village of Old Oraibi lived a coyote. He was always hunting or looking for something to eat. At times he would get lucky and find things at the nearby landfill, which was known to the people of the village as Qötsaptsomo (Ash Hill). One day as he was wondering around the area, he come to a small brown wren who was jumping around keeping himself happy.
The coyote asked him if they could be friends, and the wren agreed. After they had become friends, they did not know what to do, so they decided to play hid-and-seek. The wren told the coyote to close his eyes and count from one to twenty, then off he flew to hide.
As soon as the coyote finished counting in his deep voice, he went out to look for his friend, the wren. When he did not find the wren, he decided to look for something to eat, so he went to Ash Hill. When he got to Ask Hill, he found a nice sharp needle. “Oh great! I found a needle, now I can have my grandmother sew my little blanket for me.” He then pulled it out and it spoke to him! “Ouch, ouch, ouch, that’s my bill, that’s my bill!” Then the wren had buried himself among the rubbish and that is where the coyote found him.
So then, it was the coyotes turn to go hide, and as gullible as the coyote was, he buried himself among the rubbish and waited. Then the wren knew that his friend would hide in the same manner as he did, so without making an effort to look for the coyote, the wren pretended to be looking for him. When enough time had passed, he went over to where the coyote was buried and said, “Oh good! I found a small saucepan I’ll take it to my grandmother so she can put parched corn in it and I can take it around with me.”
Then the wren pulled it out it was the coyote’s snout. “Ouch, ouch, ouch, that’s my snout, that’s my snout!” he shouted in his deep voice. So that is how the wren found the coyote.
So it may be that the two friends are still playing the game of hide-and go-seek.
The End
Revitalizing Hopi: A Gift for Christmas and Beyond
December 9, 2024
As Christmas approaches, many of us reflect on the importance of family, tradition, and the gifts we share with one another. This year, consider giving a gift that goes beyond material items: the preservation and revitalization of a language that holds centuries of culture, history, and wisdom—Hopi.
The Hopi language, spoken by the indigenous Hopi people in northeastern Arizona, is at risk of fading into obscurity. Like many Native American languages, it has faced decades of decline, due to the decreased use in the home and the dominance of English. However, there’s a growing movement to revitalize Hopi and ensure it thrives for generations to come.
Teaching Hopi is not just about preserving words; it’s about passing down a way of life, a connection to the land, and a deep understanding of the natural world. The language encapsulates the Hopi worldview—its rituals, beliefs, and stories—and helps foster a sense of identity and pride among our young Hopi people. When we teach Hopi, we’re not only preserving the language itself, but also the very essence of Hopi culture.
This Christmas, consider downloading free Hopi language resources as a gift for yourself, a loved one, or your community. By learning even just a few words, you’re contributing to a larger movement of cultural preservation and renewal. It’s a meaningful way to connect with a tradition that is one of the oldest in North America, in doing so, honor the richness of indigenous cultures.
Let’s make this holiday season about giving a gift that lasts—one that nurtures language, culture, and understanding. Downloading a Hopi language resource is more than an act of learning; it’s a step toward ensuring that Hopi, and languages like it, will be spoken for generations to come.
Merry Christmas—and may the gift of language fill our hearts and communities with joy.
Tis The Season For Story Telling
November 28, 2024
Tuutuwutsyani Story telling time.
Iisawu hiihintsakngwu. Coyote does all sorts of things.
Itamuy tutuqayna, u’nantoyna. Teaching us, reminding us.
New PowerPoint
November 6, 2024
Below is the answer sheet for this exercise.
Preserving Heritage: The Importance of Teaching the Hopi Language to Our Youth
November 3, 2024
In an era where many Indigenous languages are at risk of extinction, the Hopi language stands as a vital thread connecting the past, present, and future of the Hopi people. Teaching this language to our youth is not just about preserving words; it’s about safeguarding a rich cultural heritage that embodies unique perspectives, traditions, and values.
The Hopi language is deeply intertwined with the community’s identity, spirituality, and worldview. By learning it, young Hopis can foster a sense of belonging and pride, understanding their roots more profoundly. This connection empowers them to navigate the modern world while honoring their ancestry.
Hopi-managed nonprofit organizations such as ours, play a crucial role in this linguistic revival. These organizations are often at the forefront of educational initiatives, offering programs that teach the language through immersive experiences, workshops, and cultural events. They not only facilitate language learning but also instill a sense of community and resilience among youth. By involving them in cultural practices and storytelling, these organizations help cultivate a holistic understanding of what it means to be Hopi.
Furthermore, supporting these nonprofits ensures that resources remain available for future generations. By investing in their efforts, we contribute to the sustainability of the Hopi language and culture. This collaboration fosters an environment where language, tradition, and community thrive together.
In conclusion, teaching the Hopi language to our youth is vital for preserving the essence of the Hopi identity. With the support of Hopi-managed nonprofit organizations, we can empower the next generation to carry forward their heritage, ensuring that the language—and the values it represents—will endure for years to come.
Please enjoy the latest free download to help reinforce the teaching of Hopilavayi to our youth.
Teaching Hopi Language with Emojis: A Modern Approach to Reviving an Ancient Language
October 22, 2024
In today’s fast-paced digital world, emojis are often called the universal language. They convey emotions, actions, and ideas in a quick, visual way that resonates across cultures and generations. As educators and language enthusiasts explore innovative methods for preserving and teaching indigenous languages, the Mesa Media, Inc. is finding unique ways to incorporate emojis into language education.
Why Use Emojis to Teach Hopi?
The Hopi language (Hopilavayi) is rich with metaphors and expressions tied closely to nature, spirituality, and community values. For new learners, the visual component of emojis can serve as a bridge to better understand these concepts. For instance, an emoji of the sun 🌞 or yooyangw 🌧️ can visually connect with the Hopi words *taawa* (sun) or *yooyangw* (rain), helping learners build associations quickly.
Engaging Younger Generations
One of the challenges of revitalizing indigenous languages is engaging younger generations who primarily interact through digital communication. Using emojis alongside traditional text can make learning Hopi more relatable and enjoyable. Lessons combining Hopi words with corresponding emojis can enhance vocabulary retention and comprehension while making learning playful and creative.
How It Works
1. Visual Storytelling: Students are introduced to Hopi words paired with relevant emojis. For example, the word for *butterfly*, *povolhoya*, could be accompanied by 🦋, making the word more memorable and visually reinforced.
2. Conversational Prompts: Educators can ask students to create simple sentences or narratives using both Hopi words and emojis. For example, a prompt could be: “Describe the weather using Hopi words and emojis” (e.g., “*yooyangw* 🌧️ means rain”).
3. Interactive Quizzes: Teachers can use emojis to create flashcards and quizzes, asking students to match emojis with their corresponding Hopi terms. This helps reinforce vocabulary through visual association.
A Step Towards Language Revitalization
Incorporating emojis in Hopi language education not only modernizes teaching methods but also respects and honors the cultural depth of the language. By bridging traditional knowledge with digital communication, Hopi language instructors are creating a fresh and engaging path to help future generations stay connected to their roots.
Through this innovative approach, teaching Hopi with emojis becomes more than just a digital experiment—it becomes a way to breathe life into an ancient language and pass it down in a way that resonates with today’s world. Please enjoy the latest teaching material from Mesa Media, Inc. as a free download. Feel free to visit the Free Download page to get some material for home, school, or to do as a group learning exercise at work.