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Food: Balancing a Navajo Meal
General Activities
1. Review Diné, the People
(History & Bibliography ) or present a related summary as needed.
2. Discuss the history, use, and symbolism of corn among the
Navajo, Native Americans, and others worldwide.
3. Explain the difference between “Indian corn” and
modern hybrid varieties. What are their advantages in yield, hardiness, and nutrition?
4. Discuss the uses of corn products in Navajo life, such as
pollen in prayers, cornmeal in weddings, corn in food and medicine, and leaves in food
baking and wrapping.
5. List various corn products from the store (or trading post),
such as corn flakes, corn chips, corn oil, cornmeal, corn tortillas, and popcorn.
6. Learn the Navajo words for five foods commonly eaten at
family gatherings.
7. Plant corn seeds and watch them grow.
8. Explain the importance sheep play in Navajo economy, food,
and livelihood. Tradition teaches that sheep were given to the Navajo by the Sun. Mutton
is the basis for much of the Navajo diet. All of a sheep is used for food except for the
wool, hooves, and the pupils of the sheep’s eyes. A butchered sheep’s blood is
caught and mixed with corn meal, bits of fit, and potatoes for a special treat-- blood
sausage. The sheep’s head, intestines, and ribs are roasted and enjoyed by many
Navajos. Even the internal organs are cooked and eaten. The skin of a sheep is cut into
strips, roasted, and eaten.
9. Draw a food pyramid illustrating favorite foods and count the
number of foods in each food group. Graph student preferences for the top five foods
identified.
10. Plan a traditional Navajo meal with Fry Bread, Dahdíníílgahaazh (two versions), Mutton Stew, Atoo', Pinto
Beans, Naa'ólí, Red Chili, Azee' dích'íi', and Wild Tea, Dééh. Teach basic arithmetic, health, and
safety for the kitchen. Include recipe and nutrition terms, estimating volume and
weight of common containers and objects, and reading time and temperature.
Discussion Questions by Grade
- Kindergarten: Discuss, what are some traditional Navajo foods still eaten today?
- First Grade: Review, what are some traditional Navajo foods still eaten today?
Discuss, what are some traditional Navajo foods from the past, but not commonly eaten
today?
- Second Grade: Review, what are some traditional Navajo foods still eaten today? What
are some traditional Navajo foods from the past, but not commonly eaten today? Discuss,
what are the various foods prepared from a sheep?
- Third Grade: Review, what are some traditional Navajo foods still eaten today? What
are some traditional Navajo foods from the past, but not commonly eaten today? What
are the various foods prepared from a sheep? Discuss, what are foods made with corn?
- Fourth Grade: Review, what are some traditional Navajo foods still eaten today? What
are some traditional Navajo foods from the past, but not commonly eaten today? What
are the various foods prepared from a sheep? What are foods made with corn? Discuss,
what were the foods dried for winter storage?
Answers
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