About
In the small town of Shiprock, New Mexico a group of young Navajo leaders work to bring hope and change into their once thriving community.
Description
Every Monday in the small community of Shiprock, New Mexico, a group of young Navajo leaders meet to decide how they will help their community. For over seven years, the Northern Dine Youth Committee has worked to give youth opportunities to directly make changes within their community. But while the NDYC works to make changes, many members also consider their own futures, commitments to family and the world outside of the Shiprock. While they love their community, they all must consider their options both on and off the reservation.
Plot Outline
On the northern edge of the Navajo reservation, a group of young Navajo leaders -The Northern Dine Youth Committee - meet every Monday night in the town of Shiprock, New Mexico. The group, founded by 19 year-old Graham Beyale, work to find ways to help their community every week and in the process, create and develop ways to help keep the youth of Shiprock away from the negative aspects of reservation life. The group works to develop community engagement and betterment projects, to find ways to learn about their language and culture and continuously work to bring hope and bridge divides within their community.
The Northern Dine Youth Committee has brought consistent change in the community of Shiprock by promoting and organizing community trash clean-ups, graffiti removal, fundraisers, wood hauling for the elderly, volleyball and dodge ball community tournaments to name a few. But by far, their most significant contribution has been to engage the youth of the community and to help them be a part of such a transformational effort – an effort which should prove to inspire every community member.
The group quickly finds that despite their efforts, the economic and political structure of the reservation continuously hinder the progress they wish to make. Even with an education, many Navajos who return home find little opportunity or jobs and are forced to live off the reservation. Many NDYC members consider life off the reservation and the progress that could be achieved through continuing their education. Others find ways to go to school, to work and to stay close to home. They all must weigh the prospects of continuing their educations, leaving home and weather to return home to the reservation to continue their work.
Their tireless leader, Graham is the most devoted member, coming home from college over six years ago and staying to commit himself to the work of the NDYC. But after four years leading the NDYC, Beyale decides to leave for school again. But he wonders if the group can continue without him. After years under his leadership, members prove that they truly are the leaders that can give hope to their community as they continue to organize and inspire.
The Northern Dine Youth Committee has brought consistent change in the community of Shiprock by promoting and organizing community trash clean-ups, graffiti removal, fundraisers, wood hauling for the elderly, volleyball and dodge ball community tournaments to name a few. But by far, their most significant contribution has been to engage the youth of the community and to help them be a part of such a transformational effort – an effort which should prove to inspire every community member.
The group quickly finds that despite their efforts, the economic and political structure of the reservation continuously hinder the progress they wish to make. Even with an education, many Navajos who return home find little opportunity or jobs and are forced to live off the reservation. Many NDYC members consider life off the reservation and the progress that could be achieved through continuing their education. Others find ways to go to school, to work and to stay close to home. They all must weigh the prospects of continuing their educations, leaving home and weather to return home to the reservation to continue their work.
Their tireless leader, Graham is the most devoted member, coming home from college over six years ago and staying to commit himself to the work of the NDYC. But after four years leading the NDYC, Beyale decides to leave for school again. But he wonders if the group can continue without him. After years under his leadership, members prove that they truly are the leaders that can give hope to their community as they continue to organize and inspire.