‘Home away from home’: SASI’s new 78-room residential facility set to open in 2025

Posted by Navajo Times | Jul 18, 2024 | Community |

By McKayla Lee
Navajo Times

SHIPROCK – New residential halls are scheduled to open in 2025 for students at Northwest Middle/High School.

Navajo Times | McKayla Lee
Hataałii Avery Denny, a traditional practitioner, prepares for the groundbreaking as Shiprock Associated Schools Inc. Superintendent J. Kaibah Begay and residential manager Leland Becenti look on Monday afternoon in Shiprock.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the residential halls took place on Monday, July 15, across from the Northwest campus with community, school, and chapter house leadership in attendance.

Shiprock Associated Schools Inc. is constructing the new 78-room dormitory to provide a “home away from home,” guided by tribal leaders and students. The residence halls aim to be the next step toward healing for many families affected by the boarding school history in the Navajo Nation.

A traditional Navajo ground blessing and dedication ceremony was conducted by Hataałii Avery Denny, a traditional practitioner and the president of the Diné Hataałii Association Inc. Denny blessed the location of the residential facility.
Leland Becenti, the residential manager, emphasized during the ceremony the importance of having a facility for students to continue their education despite the barrier of rural living. He expressed excitement about housing students in the new hall for the 2025-26 school year.

Culturally based design

The new student housing will feature a culturally balanced design and incorporate basic living skills to help set residents up for future success.

To be in the residential program, students must be enrolled in the Northwest middle or high school, with no additional cost for students who choose to live in the residence hall. Design elements within the project, such as separate living quarters for male and female students, are meant to replicate that of a hogan.

Program aids will teach residents the importance of making their bed in the morning to keep the “lazy monsters” away, basic life skills like financial and time management, meal preparations, and traditional crafts.

SASI Superintendent J. Kaibah Begay highlighted the incorporation of academic teachings and cultural activities to support students while they are away from family. The residential program aims to provide a sense of security and support for students while reinforcing what students learn in the classroom.

Construction underway in August

Students facing transportation challenges, rural housing, or cost barriers are encouraged to use the program. The project, expected to cost about $18 million, is completely covered through federal funding from the Bureau of Indian Education. Construction is set to begin next month after permitting and site preparation are established.

Paul Young, the project leader from the Aleut Design Team, shared that challenges with this project have included historical preservation delays, supply chain, and post-COVID-related construction materials triggering price increases.

While the residence hall is being constructed, the collaboration with the Kinteel Residential Campus in Aztec, New Mexico, will continue to house students in the residential program. SASI is putting a deep emphasis on registration for the upcoming school year and suggests families contact SASI directly for application questions and concerns. The superintendent encouraged families within the Northern Agency to consider enrolling their children at Shiprock-associated schools.