Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health

ARIZONA and the Navajo Nation

Academic/Community Service Volunteer Project

March 15 – 22, 2014

Overview

This one-credit course is open to all university students. The program’s purpose is to explore the culture, socio-economic, and healthcare issues, and provide care for Native American of the through an experiential process, partnering with established healthcare programs offered for the Hopi and Dine/Navajo Indian tribes of Native Americans.

The Navajo, or Diné believe they are an extension of Mother Earth and thus are also a part of her beauty. Because of this belief, the Diné treat the land with the utmost respect. Today, the Navajo are striving to sustain a viable economy for an ever-increasing population. And while there is a great focus on retaining and passing on the cultural legacy, there is also a need for community service assistance to continue this most important part of American life.

An anthropological, environmental component will also take place in the touring of historical U. S. National Park sites such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley & Petrified Dinosaur remains that have played a major part in the development of the Native Americans cultures in the Tuba City area of Arizona.

Faculty Directors
Patricia Facquet, Professor of Nursing: facquet@adelphi.edu
Margaret Silver, Professor of Nursing: silver@adelphi.edu

PROGRAM ITINERARY

Day 1, Saturday, March 15 – To Phoenix and Flagstaff (D)

Depart to Phoenix where we will transfer by coach to Flagstaff. Balance of the day to relax before our welcome dinner.

Day 2, Sunday, March 16 – Tour to the Grand Canyon and continue to Tuba City (B/L/D)

After breakfast meet in the lobby with your luggage as we depart for the Grand Canyon. The views are breathtaking to say the least. Our guide will provide an orientation at the Canyon from the lookout area behind the Bright Angel Lodge. Next you will tour the 23-mile tour along the East Rim with stops at Grandview, the Tusayan Ruins and Desert View. At Tusayan Ruins we will take a one-way 1-3/4 mile rim walk to see fossils of a 230 million year old tropical coral reef. At  either Grandview, Bright Angel or Desert View, we take out binoculars to spot the extremely endangered California Condors in this part of the Canyon. Box lunch is served either along the rim of the canyon or at the Anasazi ruins. Then continue to Tuba City where we will be doing our special Nursing program. Overnight in Tuba City. Meet for dinner.

Day 3, Monday, March 17 through Day 5, Wednesday, March 19 – In Tuba City (B/L/D)

Three days  that will be devoted to the program at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Center (TCRHCC), the Nursing and Navajo Spiritual Education Department and  to have a “well rounded Navajo Experience” in the areas of Nursing, Native American Spirituality, typography & geography, living conditions including concentrations on:

1. Nursing opportunities on the Navajo Reservation / IHS / US Public Health Service
2. Living conditions of the Navajo & Hopi people great contrast that was seen by all – no running water & indoor plumbing in most Navajo dwellings – the use of outhouses
3. Health disparities among the Navajo People in relation to lack of fresh food sources  such as fruits and vegetables
4. Lack of potable water sources, non-existence crops & agriculture in the Navajo Reservation near Tuba City and the  Hopi Reservation near Cameron.

In the afternoon, return to the hotel for the rest of the day to relax. Meet for dinner.

Day 6, Thursday, March 20 – In Tuba City – Excursion to Inscription House & Monument Valley  (B/L/D)

Today’s program includes the Inscription House with a complete tour of the facility by Nurse Manager Cristos and meeting the staff. The Inscription House is an Indian Health Service Facility. Here you will be able to see directly the lack of access of care, disparities in health care facilities that are a problem for Native Americans.  After and Q & A session, we will have lunch  at the Inscription House. Continue to Monument Valley for a tour. This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet. framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert floor. The landscape overwhelms, not just by its beauty but also by its size.  The fragile pinnacles of rock are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees and windblown sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley.  All of this harmoniously combines to make Monument Valley a truly wondrous experience.  Enjoy this beautiful land before we return to Tuba City for dinner and our overnight.

Day 7, Friday, March 21 – To Phoenix (B/L/D)                                                                                                                                               

Our morning program will conclude at the Tuba City Regional Health Care Center (TCRHCC). The it’s south to Phoenix and  our accommodations at the Radisson Phoenix Airport hotel. Time to relax by the pool before our farewell dinner.

Day 8, Saturday March 22 – To JFK (B)                            

Depart  for our non-stop flight to JFK.

Tour Portion will include:

• Roundtrip air transportation from JFK to Phoenix
• Breakfast throughout
• 7 lunches
• 7 dinners
• Local Transportation throughout
• Airport transfers
• Grand Canyon sightseeing tour
• Monument Valley sightseeing tour
• Entrance fees for sightseeing tours

FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION CONTACT

Center for International Education
Alumnae Hall 111
Tel: (516) 877-3487 or CIE@Adelphi.edu
www.adelphi.edu/studyabroad

 

Navajo girl photo by Wolfgang Staudt