My name is James Johanntoberns from the Kiowa, Caddo, and Pawnee Nations of Oklahoma. I am from Carnegie, Oklahoma but I moved to Tucson, Arizona in the 4th grade and have lived here ever since. I am a junior at Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley. I wanted to join LSWHTA to learn more about the Indigenous People that lived in the surrounding area
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As one of the few Native Americans that’s outspoken and proud of their heritage, it is interesting to see how Non-Indigenous people interpret tribal customs and traditional materials. Growing up surrounded in a community and home immersed in my own/other tribal customs and traditions, has provided me with a different lens to view the world with. Going on the trips to different tribal lands and interacting with professional staff while listening to their own opinions about how the Native Peoples lived their lives.
MaiN focus
My main focus is on the personal aspect and the people & place
I’m choosing to focus on personal because archeology works with the remains of past people which usually includes Native Indigenous people, and if anyone should be studying them it should be another Native person to pay the right respect to sacred area.
The reason for People and Place is to talk about the indigenous people that were here before us and how they lived their daily lives.
All the FiEld trips
TuMacacOri
I learned about how adobe brick making is still happening to help conserve the churches and ruins in the Southwest.
San Xavier
SAguaro National Park
I learned about how Saguaros age and how if the weather is to cold, their skin turns black, similar to a freezer burn.
The O’Oodham people are very proud of their warriors and veterans
Co-op Farms
TuzIgoot
Grand canyon
WUPatki
PeoplE & places
WuPatki
- Had more than 100 rooms
- Used mainly by the Ancient Pueblo people and Hopi
- A major population growth after the volcanic eruption which is now Sunset Crater
- Corn agriculture using water harvesting
- The volcanic ash mulch helped the corn grow in such an arid environment
Grand canyon
- Emerging point for the Hopi’s people
- Many tribes hunted large sport such as Mammoths and Bison antiquus
- Was formed through many centuries by the erosion of the Colorado River
Personal
It was Nice understanding how and the importance of archeologists working with surrounding Native Tribes to keep sacred things within the tribes and to preserve the sacred lands
Archeological field sChool
- Working in the field, actually digging trenches and searching for walls that were built long ago
- Making a mud house
- Flint Knapping
I am very fortunate that I was accepted into this program. I have really enjoyed all the time that I have spent studying archeology. I made some really rad friends along with some pretty awesome mentors. I learned more about the surrounding cultures in more depth then I previously knew, along with visiting National Parks and even picking up a new skill, flint-knapping. The camping experiences were fun, especially the campfire songs, late night scary stories and stargazing. All in all, this program was awesome and I wouldn’t change a thing about it.