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Valuing
the Tohono O'odham Himdag
As a community college closely associated with the Tohono
O’odham Nation, TOCC encourages growth of students’ cultural
knowledge and takes steps to transmit learning in a way that
respects the Tohono O’odham Himdag |
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The TOCC Culture
Requirement
In addition to program requirements, TOCC has a Tohono
O'odham Himdag requirement for graduation from any
program of study. All students need to take two classes
in Tohono O'odham culture: HIS 122 and THO 101 or THO
106. A Tohono O'odham language instructor may be the
best person to assess whether the introductory class (THO
101) or the conversational class (THO 106) is
appropriate for you.
Depending upon the program of study, it may make sense
to complete the TOCC Culture requirement with THO 101 or
THO 106. In general, AAS degree-seeking students can
fulfill requirements more quickly by taking THO 106,
while a degree for transfer may fulfill different Gen.
Ed. requirements with THO 101 than with THO 106.
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A student at TOCC will take HIS 122 to fulfill the TOCC
Culture requirement, but the class can also meet one of the
Arizona General Education categorical requirements. For
example, HIS 122 is listed in the Humanities list, the
Social and Behavioral Sciences list, as well as the
International and Multicultural Studies part of the Other
Requirements list. HIS 122 also meets all three Special Gen.
Ed. requirements, and can be taken once to fulfill all three
(I, G, C).
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What is Himdag?
The Tohono O'odham Himdag consists of the culture, way of life,
and values that are uniquely held and displayed by the Tohono
O’odham people. Himdag incorporates everything in life that
makes us unique as individuals and as a people. It is a lifelong
journey. The following are elements of Himdag: |
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- Arts (basketry, contemporary and traditional music etc.
- Beliefs
- Community (Tohono O'odham Community College, Tohono O'odham
Nation, Family)
- Games
- Harvesting, traditional foods and hunting
- Language (incorporates songs and ceremonies)
- Land, environment, seasons (Winter, spring, summer, fall)
and elements (Earth, air, fire, wind)
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- Medicinal plants
- Mobility (Walking, running, horses, and wagons)
- Past, future, a journey in life
- Relatives (Akimel O'odham, Hia Ced O'odham, Kinship)
- Songs
- Storytelling
- Spirituality/Religion (Healing, curing and traditional
songs)
- Sensitivity
- Values (respect).
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| (Taken from Integration of Tohono
O'odham Himdag: Tohono O'odham Community College 2002.) |
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O'odham Seasonal Calendar
Himdag
events at the college are a representation of O'odham
lifestyle that follows the seasons. Various classes (both
existing and in development) will revolve around instruction
based on the time of season as well as materials available.
Such an example would be the harvesting of certain desert
foods only during the right seasons. This seasonal calendar is
best exemplified by the diagram below:
To view the image larger, click the diagram above...
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Himdag Committee
The Tohono O'odham Himdag Committee is a college-wide
committee comprised of O'odham staff, faculty, students,
and community members who meet to discuss various
concerns, activities, and college policies. The committee
works to incorporate himdag into every aspect of college
life and strives to make the college more O'odham
culturally sensitive. |
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