Sheep is Life Workshops
Monday, June 14 to Friday, June 18, 2010
Diné College, Tsailé, AZ
2010 SIL Workshop Registration Form.pdf
2010 SIL Workshop Scholarship Form.pdf
For more information, call TahNibaa Naataanii, Project Director, 505.406.7428.
The Navajo Nation is on Mountain Daylight Time. All times listed are MDT.
Beginning Navajo Weaving
Students will learn how to weave the Navajo way on a traditional vertical loom. This class is designed for students who have not had a Navajo Weaving class before. Participants will learn how to create patterns using different colors.
Instructor: IIene Naegle
Cost: $430.00, includes materials. Loom rental available, $50.
Days: Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
Navajo Twill Weaving
This class is designed for the advanced weaver, who is familiar with the Navajo Weaving Techniques. Participants will learn about Navajo style twill weavings and their uses. Students will select from a variety of twill weaving patterns and will count their own design warps.
Instructor: Sarah H. Natani
Cost $310.00 per student, includes materials. Loom rental available, $50.
Days: Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Beginning Navajo Sash Belt
Participants will learn how to weave a Navajo Sash Belt and create a design using the floating warp method. Instructor Gilbert Begay has been weaving for over 20 years.
Instructor: Gilbert Begay.
Cost: $185.00 per student, includes materials. Loom rental available, $50.
Days: Wednesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Navajo Hand Spinning and Carding
Students will learn how to card wool raw wool using a Hand Carder and learn how to spin wool using the Navajo Lap Spindle. Students will become familiar with the “z” twist, soft spinning, teasing the wool, and spinning the final product.
Instructor: Beverly Allen
Cost: $55.00 per student; includes Navajo Spindle, Wool, the use of hand carders.
Days: Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wet Felting
Learn how to felt wall hangings, scarves, hats and whatever your imagination will create. Students will experiment with design application and will learn about how fibers, when agitated in water and soap, bind together.
Cost: $83.00, includes materials.
Days: Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Horse Cinch Weaving
Students will learn how to weave a horse cinch and create designs or striped patterns. Some weaving experience is required.
Instructor: Jay Begay
Days: Thursday and Friday, 8am-5pm
Cost: $233.00, includes materials. Loom rental available, $50.
Making Cream and Sun Screen
Learn how to make beauty creams (cla’) from sheep fat and piñon pitch. Add red earth to make the Navajo sun screen (chií), the Navajo’s special secret for keeping your skin beautiful while spending all day in the sun herding sheep.
Instructor: Ron Garnanez, weaver and sheep herder for over 50 years.
Cost: $110.00, includes materials.
Day: Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Preparing Wool the Navajo Way
Students will learn to prepare raw wool for washing and processing by using natural ingredients for scouring and whitening.
Instructor: Ron Garnanez, weaver and sheep herder.
Cost: $110.00, includes materials.
Day: Thursday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Butchering and Preparing Sheep the Navajo Way
Students will learn about Navajo home butchering and the respectful way to slaughter the animal. All parts of the sheep are used. The class will learn how to remove the pelt and salt it, cut up the carcass, remove and prepare the organs, prepare specialty foods such as blood sausage and achíi (wrapped intestines), and how to prepare different cuts of meat.
Instructor: Ron Garnanez, weaver and sheep herder.
Cost: $275.00 per student, includes materials.
Day: Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Animal Communication/Handling
Learn how to handle your sheep or goat.
Instructor: Colleen Biakeddy
Class Description coming soon.
Cost: $185.00
Days: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Recycled Art
Learn how to weave a wire basket with the bailing wire and braid a sheep halter using the bailing cord that holds bales of hay together. Bring your imagination and creative spirit to the class to create works of art. Learn from Master Weaver, Sarah H. Natani. Students need to bring a pair of pliers and leather gloves.
Instructor: Sarah H. Natani
Cost: $83.00, includes materials.
Days: Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.