Justin Secakuku

(928) 814 5057

1125 w 400 S Cedar City UT, 84720
vavajay@aol.com
HOPI YOUTH AND COMMUNITY LEADERS COLLABORATE IN
LIVING THE TRADITION
Hopi Reservation, AZ, October, 2014 -- In northeastern Arizona on the Hopi reservation, youth are
living in a world influenced by modern day living while trying to maintain their Hopi heritage and
lifestyle that has been practiced since time immemorial. Hopi student, Justin Secakuku, who currently
resides in Cedar City, Utah attending Southern Utah University, seized the opportunity to reach out to
the youth and community leaders to celebrate Hopi heritage through song and dance. With careful
planning, choreography, and enlightened spirit, Justin and his group of Hopi Butterfly Dancers did a
series of performances that would leave spectators bouncing in their seats and humming the tunes of
the songs that celebrate life, plentiful rainfall, and bountiful crop of Hopi produce. The group
performed at the Hopi Cultural Centers Indian Days Festivities on October 4 th and 5th of this year, and
were asked again to perform at the Tuuvi Gatherings celebration in Tuba City, AZ two weeks later.
What is behind this Butterfly Dance performance? Justin Secakuku explains further, I was asked by a
local community member to put together a Hopi dance group such as this and I humbly accepted. I
thought to myself, what a great way to collaborate with youth and local leaders to celebrate our
heritage, yet be an example that no matter where we go in life our Hopi roots stay with us. The best
thing for me was talking one on one with my performers who are of High School age and asking them
what they want to do when they graduate.
Justin is a graduate of Hopi High school whose athletic ability in the sport of cross country took him to
junior college where he attended Paradise Valley Community College, and later transferred to
Southern Utah University (SUU) to complete his academic journey. While attending SUU, Justin is
required to complete an EDGE course which is designed to give students a hands on experience in
which they plan, implement, and reflect on their respective engagement opportunity. I wanted my
EDGE project to be of deep value to me. Since my emphasis for my project is in Leadership
Engagement, I thought the process of doing this dance group was perfect for my EDGE project. I call
it Living the Tradition. I wanted to show the youth that it is possible to balance the two worlds we live
in, and to celebrate where we come from. Ultimately, as Hopis, we bring diversity to the schools and
workforces we get into.

The collaborative efforts of all who took part in Living the Tradition made it one to remember. Justin
reached out to community leaders for aid and they answered, bringing their kids and other relatives to
participate. I didnt imagine that it would get this big. My biggest thanks to all who came to help:
Tobias Lomayestewa, Delwyn Tawvaya, Jason and Chris Yaiva, Siva Honanie, Trent Tutsi, Raymond
Namoki, and Brent Charles just to name a few. Thats the best thing about Hopi, everyone comes to
help for things like this. Youth leaders and participants came from all villages and contributed to
Living the Tradition in ways that gave off positive vibes that were felt by all. Videos that were posted
of the group on social media site Facebook reached up to 12,000 views and 365 shares. High School
sophomore, youth participant Amaya Puhuyoama shares, I felt very happy and proud to practice my
tradition and keep it alive. It's very fun to be dancing with friends and spreading our culture, I enjoy
dancing and making other people happy. I learned that it's very important to remain a Hopi girl and
also learned what we dance for which is for rain and a plentiful harvest.

As the drumbeat fades out and melodies of the songs come to a close, a reflection of the positivity and
harmony of everyone involved is seen. In the distance, rain clouds form and a rainbow arches into the
sky informing the people that their earnest prayers have been heard.
I felt good because everyone wanted to come sing or dance with usBringing those positive vibes,
its what we do! Tobias Lomayestewa, drummer.
###