Reflections from Attendees
“Tóus (Hello)… Throughout my life I’ve been surrounded by ceremonies and traditional lifestyles. I try my best to attend and practice these traditions. I am Arapaho, Apache, and Navajo. I want to be the best can and to keep our people going. I came here learn more about my people and I was excited to know I was allowed to come. This whole trip has been a blast. I was not expecting this many activities and surprises. This is my first time being here and this has been such an amazing experience. I love my language and expanding my vocabulary. My journey here has really made me feel more grateful for who I am… The more I learn about my people helps with being confident in myself, knowing I am more than what people describe me as. I feel as if this trip has boosted my confidence so much. I am so grateful there are so many people here to help with this trip. The cooks, the teachers, elders, and young ones. This place feels like home. Aho.”
“…I am from Oklahoma… I am sixteen years young, not old. I’m very happy coming on this trip and to have the opportunity to meet these people. I came here last year and had so much fun but it doesn’t compare to this years’. As the adventures we went on together makes me wish it lasted longer. Learning Arapaho throughout the week in the most fun ways and having people around me also wanting to learn motivated me toward connecting with my culture and with others. My favorite memory during this week was riding the horses. As it reminded me of being younger with my grandpa who was the one to teach my first word, hohóu (thank you). Hohóu (Thank you) for giving us the opportunity to come back home and let us reconnect with our ways.”
“…I am from Oklahoma and I’m 14 years old. I wanted to come here to learn my language and hear people speak. We heard our elders talk about our history and culture and stories, and I learned lots about it. We came back home to see and come visit our people and I made many memories. I think my favorite memory here is when we were at the pool having fun swimming. But my favorite learning experience was at Sand Creek and I got to read and see our old letters and see our land and got to listen to the Park Ranger. I am thankful for the sponsors and Regina for letting me come and be here, and the elders for teaching and telling the historical stories, and the cooks for cooking and making meals. And overall thankful for everyone for helping me learn and making my time here fun.”
“…I am 12 years old and turning 13… I am Northern Arapaho and Sioux. My favorite things about this camp is that I got to learn more about my culture and language. When I got here I didn’t know much Arapaho and now I am going back home with more of my language. I am so thankful for the sponsors for making this happen and giving all of us this opportunity to learn more of our culture. I am so very thankful for the elders for being here and teaching us this way of life. I am thankful for being back in my homeland and knowing where I come from. I am also thankful for the cooks for making sure we were all fed and hydrated. Hohóu (Thank you)”
“I am very grateful I got to come to this language camp because I am learning more than I would at home. I also like hearing and learning more Arapaho culture. My favorite thing about this camp was probably when we went horseback riding or probably the aerial challenge…I learned more Arapaho than I did before and I feel like this camp was really beneficial. If I had to choose a favorite word in Arapaho it would be bii3íhi which means eat ‘cause I like to eat. Thank you, cooks, for feeding us breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had a lot of fun and a great learning experience. Thank you Elders, Regina, and sponsors because if it wasn’t for you all I wouldn’t be here today learning about all this. And it also feels good to be back home in our homeland.”
“I would like to say hohóu (thank you) to our sponsors for making this possible for us to be here and learn the language from our elders in these hóho’éni’ (mountains). I’m really grateful for this opportunity. I learned a lot of stories and words…My favorite part about the camp is when we went hiking.”
“…I am from Oklahoma…My tribes are Arapaho and Navajo. I enjoyed traveling, exploring, and learning about our ancestral homelands. Next, I loved all of our language activities, sessions, and cultural practices. Finally, I really loved being a chaperone, teacher, mentor, and positive role model for our Arapaho youth. I took Arapaho Language 1 & 2 in high school in my sophomore and junior year. I graduated in 2011, since then have drifted away from Arapaho language. I grew up practicing sweats and looking on at Dances and Powwows. I was always interested gourd dancing. So last year I got the wonderful opportunity to take a position… Arapaho gourd dance, Arapaho language and culture, all come together at once. I’m still learning and practicing my language and culture. This camp allowed me to take part in language activities, sessions, and practicing our ways. Next, I loved to travel especially to the Rocky Mountains. Traveling, exploring, and learning about our ancestral Homelands. It’s very essential. This camp has allowed me to do that. As an adult mentor/teacher, I got to speak, learn, and travel to sacred sites that will have an impact on my life forever. I gained more knowledge here and being part of Arapaho language in Oklahoma. Finally, I had a blast chaperoning the Arapaho youth. It was exciting to watch them participate in language activities…”
“…I had fun learning the language while also playing games. My favorite words I have learned are ceenóku (sit down), eih’e3tii and Ni’tece (goodnight). I like the yurts because it is like a hotel…I hope that you keep sponsoring this language camp so other Hinóno’éíno’ (Arapahos) can also learn the language. Hohóu (Thank you).”
“…I am from Oklahoma and I’m 18 years old. I am very proud to be speaking Arapaho to you all today. I am very appreciative for the opportunity to attend this Arapaho language camp. I am more than grateful for all of your donation and sponsorships. I am being totally honest when I say that I didn’t know much of the language before I got here. I can’t thank everyone enough for giving me more knowledge about the language. My most favorite part of this trip was hiking and being able to walk in the same mountains my ancestors walked in long before me… I loved being able to do all of the activities the YMCA provided for us. Horseback riding was a personal favorite. While being here in this cabin with my new family I have learned so much about my people and were we come from. The knowledge that I have gained will be passed on so we remain resilient to colonization. I have loved my time here and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you all… Hohóu (Thank you).”
