The public is invited to attend an upcoming educational forum, where a Hopi scholar’s life-long passion and career-wide effort on water preservation will be examined and applied to current ecological issues.  

Vernon Masayesva has dedicated himself to raising awareness on the critical implications of being mindful of our precious water sources through education and protection. Masayesva will be a guest at the Northwest Indian College this week to impart his knowledge on water as the source of life and the link to life’s continuation.

During his two scheduled discussions on Thursday, March 11, he will highlight water’s historical and cultural significance as a reflection of life. As a common denominator between all people, Masayesva believes that water has a powerful ability to serve as a catalyst for peace and should be honored accordingly.

Masayesva will speak on the sacredness of water from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the NWIC log building on campus, located at 2522 Kwina Rd. on the Lummi reservation. His second talk, water and climate change, will commence at 5 p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m. in DL-1 at NWIC.

Masayesva’s penchant for water initially stemmed from his Native background; the Hopi’s heritage is deeply rooted in earth’s water. His interest eventually led to a protracted fight and then finally a greatly anticipated ruling against a corporate coal mining entity that was devastating the Hopi’s water base off their reservation.

The Hopi scholar’s topics tie in with event coordinator and Native Science faculty Steve Pavlik’s Philosophy on Water course at the college. The presentations are part of a speaker series of the Native Science Program. This series invites influential Native American leaders to discuss Indian affairs, culture and issues.

“I think that Vernon will open peoples’ eyes to a whole different view of water, in terms of how it relates to Tribal people and their cultures,” Pavlik said.

Masayesva was raised in Hotevilla, Ariz. He received his BA in Political Science at Arizona State University, and his Masters of Arts at Central Michigan University. Masayesva assisted in launching the first Native-controlled institution at Hopi, the Hotevilla-Bacavi Community School. He has served on the Hopi Tribal Council and Arizona Native Scholastic Enrichment Resources Program with the University of Arizona’s American Indian Studies Program.

For more information about the event, contact Pavlik at (360) 392-4307 or spavlik@nwic.edu.