Sedona News – The University Women of Sedona will host their next informational program on Monday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. when Jack Pongyesva, a program manager with the Grand Canyon Trust, will speak. Jack will be sharing the indigenous history of the Grand Canyon region and, as he puts it: “…explain how the Trust and he walk a fine line between creating positive change in the modern world and further exploring the traditions and ancient culture of the 11 tribes that call the region home, and, how the tribes are being brought together by the Trust.”
The creation of Grand Canyon National Park pushed the canyon’s original inhabitants off their ancestral lands and excluded them from stewardship, management, and economic opportunities in the park. But, now the park is working to open doors to redefine relationships, have tough conversations, and bring new ideas to the table.
Pongyesva is a native Arizonan who grew up in Oak Creek Canyon and Third Mesa of the Hopi Reservation. Indigenous and proud, Jack is currently the Grand Canyon Manager and program lead for the Intertribal Centennial Conversations Group (ICCG), an indigenous grassroots initiative.
This meeting is open to women in the Verde Valley who are interested in this topic and the opportunity to network with other women who are involved in elevating women through education and are invited to attend this or a future meeting. University Women of Sedona’s mission is to give scholarships to support women in furthering their educational opportunities to an accredited local college or university. Refreshments will be served.
The Sedona chapter meets on the first Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church of Sedona at 25 Chapel Road. For more information, contact Jan Anderson at 928-254-1133 or universitywmnsedona@gmail.com.
