Louise Benally talks about the struggle at Big Mountain and Black Mesa, Arizona.

Miss Indian UNM Pageant

            Walking into the Student Union Building at the University of New Mexico on Thursday evening, April 28, you hear something different besides the shuffling of feet across the floor. You hear the pounding drum, the ringing of bells and the singing of a pow-wow group.

            On this particular evening, the 2011-2012 Miss Indian UNM pageant was held in the SUB ballroom. The ballroom was filled with spectators and contestants who came to see the exiting Miss Indian UNM, Se’mana Seukteoma, hand her crown to one of six UNM Native American contestants.

            The contestants were from different Native American backgrounds ranging from Acoma Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Dine and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. They were judged on traditional talent and impromptu questions.

            Freshman Shandiin Church is from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and decided to run for Miss Indian UNM because she had never done pageants before and thought it would be good to try something new.

            The traditional talents showcased each contestant’s cultural backgrounds. From the pueblo buffalo dance, the Dine rug weaving and storytelling, to the making of a traditional copper bowl.

            Impromptu questions dealt with ideas on how to better incorporate the UNM Native American community with other UNM activities, and while many ideas were given, Kansas Begaye’s question won the vote of the judges.

            “What I would do to get the UNM Native American community involved in other UNM activities is easy. Food. We Indians love to eat and if there’s frybread or food I think that would bring the Native American community together,” Begaye said.

            Begaye was crowned the 2011-2012 Miss Indian UNM and has been given the duty to act as UNM’s Native American ambassador and a role model for current and future UNM Native American students.

           

            

These Wild Horses

As you can guess...I guess...I thought Lindsey Miller's story about the wild horses near Placitas was the best in this past week's stories post on our news site. I also thought that this week produced a lot of strong stories. Miller's story was well written and researched which also included links for readers to follow and get more info out of. Along with a good written story, Miller also produced some great photos of the wild horses.

One thing I would have liked is for the audio to have more of narrative to it.

Why Do You Hookah?

For this week's stories, I really enjoyed Aubrey Hovey's story on the growing hookah scene in not just albuquerque, but in the university area. I thought her written story was well written. I especially liked the quote about the 18-year-old who said that he enjoyed the hookah lounge because it's a good place to socialize without being in a bar.

Her slide show was good as well but I would have liked better audio. Especially the first part where I think the guy was explaining on how one hookahs. Other than that I thought she did a good job on documenting the smoking of the hookah with the three guys.

Riding With Marion Review

Aubrey Hovey's story on Marion McGranahan, UNM shuttle driver was quite entertaining and well written. I liked the amount of comments she was able to get from passengers. Her story also gave us, the students, a look on the inside of UNM and how the campus runs. It's good to read about people that help make our lives as students a little less stressful when there's someone who greets us with a smile and hello.

Hovey's soundslide was well done. The sound and the timing of the narration and the change of photos was put together well. The only criticism I have is that some of the photos were blurry and over exposed at times. For some the blurriness worked but not all of them. Just some practice and changing of some presets on the camera should fix it. I really enjoyed the shots of McGranahann from the rear-view mirror.

Adorable story. 

Apple-holics!

As a wannabe iPhone user, I thought Lindsey Little's article on the iPhone 5 was just what future and current iPhone users wanted to read about. Her headline is great because she turns the Apple in an something edible so that people might actually want to eat it when she uses "crave." Her use of "turns rumor mill in the sub headline was also clever too.

I thought her video was good too, but I would have like to see consistency in her use of text font and backgrounds. Other than that just a few more interviews it's a good video.

Watch and read her story HERE!!!!!!!!!

The Edaakie's of Isleta Pueblo

As UNM students and faculty walk across campus, a breeze blows the fresh smell of dough frying, posole and beans. If students follow the smell, it would lead them to the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology Courtyard.

            There, Robert and Mary-Jane Edaakie of Isleta Pueblo already have the wood chopped for the horno and the dough rising inside the building. There’s a line of hungry lobos waiting to order frybread or an indian taco.

            The Edaakies have been coming to the Maxwell for at least 13 years when a friend of theirs was originally invited to make bread but declined and offered the invite to Robert and his wife.

            Mary-Jane says that her and her husband travel all over New Mexico selling their frybread and indian tacos at feast days and fairs but mostly come to the Maxwell Museum.

            Most people have been waiting in line for at least ten minutes but believe the wait is well worth it.

            “I get out of the office and the food is good,” said Kathy Madrid.

            Another faculty member is waiting in line with not only her money in one hand but her own ceramic plate.

            “I’ve been looking forward to it all winter long,” Silvia Lu Said. “That’s why I have my own plate.  I keep it in my office.”

            Robert Edaakie said that as long as UNM keeps scheduling them, he doesn’t see any reason why they would stop coming and making delicious food for the UNM community.

As the weather gets warmer, you can expect the Edaakies to be making and selling their frybread at least twice a month at the Maxwell Museum of Antrhopology Courtyard. They are scheduled to return April 6^th and 20^th to UNM.