Hopi Photo Exhibit Open to the Public

Upper Village of Moenkopi, Hopi, AZ  - The Hopi Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) announced Saturday June 21, 2014 as a dedication event for "Itaaqatsi, yuumoq itaa’öqala" (Our Life, Our Strength for the Future), a photo exhibit that depicts Hopi life and agricultural practices from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. These images provide a historic glimpse into the life of the Hopi people and how some of these practices are still carried on presently. The exhibit will be on permanent display at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites which is in the Upper Village of Moenkopi at the western gateway to Hopi tribal land adjacent to Tuba City, AZ. The Hopi people have lived continuously on the high desert mesas in northern Arizona for over a thousand years.

The exhibit dedication day from 9 am to 3 pm will feature speakers and presentations on Hopi History and Lifestyles: Past to Present, Gender roles, farming & agriculture and a historical account, introduction and explanation of photo exhibit selection in addition to art vendors and dance performances. Hopi Tribal leadership and other dignitaries will participate in the dedication ceremonies. The public is invited to attend.

The Moenkopi Developers Corporation (MDC: the non-profit owner of the Moenkopi Legacy Inn) commissioned Hopi Artist Leland Dennis to serve as the curator for the project. Leland is Sun Forehead clan from the village of Supawlavi, located on Second Mesa. He has been involved with significant cultural projects for the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, and The Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Harvard University among others. The images selected for the HEEF/MDC Exhibit are from the Braun Research Library Collection at the Autry National Center, Los Angeles, CA; Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, AZ; the Palace of the Governors, Santa Fe, NM; the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI; and the Cline Library Special Collections and Archives, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.

MDC Board President, Wilfred Moore, says, "The development that MDC has achieved, including the Legacy Inn, is the fulfillment of the vision of our village elders. We have created over 125 jobs and this is very significant because we know that the creation of jobs on Hopi land translates directly into preservation of culture, language, religion, and family. Using our beautiful hotel to promote the HEEF and Hopi education to the world is important to all of our people, and this exhibit will help visitors understand better the heritage of Hopi."

The Hopi Education Endowment Fund is a non-profit entity that was created by the Hopi Tribe in 2000 to fund educational opportunities for tribal members. LuAnn Leonard, Executive Director of the HEEF, says “The HEEF has assisted over 1,500 Hopi students since its inception. Lives have been changed because of the HEEF and this exhibit will give us a new window to the world to share our unique culture and find new support. The fund grows every year through the generosity of donors and the support of the Hopi Tribe. We are very thankful to the museums whose images comprise the exhibit for their permission to sell."

Boxed note cards as well as 20 x 24 prints in the same format that are on display in the exhibit will be available for sale at the event with 100% of proceeds going to support Hopi education.

Special hotel rates for the event are available at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn for Friday and Saturday June 20-21 by calling 928-283-4500 or online at www.ExperienceHopi.com Discount Code: PHOTO