Chris Richards / staff
Jesse Navarro, a Tohono O'odham, is president of his school's Tribal Images Club and, outside of school, the Tribal Images Youth Council.
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Pueblo Magnet High student wants to ensure his people preserve their culture
By Angela Soto
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Jesse F. Navarro has big plans after he graduates from high school.
"I want to be the chairman of my tribe," said Navarro, 17, who is Tohono O'odham and Hispanic.
He's grooming himself now for the role.
The Pueblo High Magnet School senior is president of the Tribal Images Club, an after-school program that helps American Indian students learn about their culture.
Though about 85 American Indian youths attend Pueblo, only 10 are members of the club, which meets weekly.
"I've brought Native American bands, speakers and food to school," said Navarro, who plans to attend Pima Community College and take tribal law classes.
Navarro has dreamed of leading his people since he was 9 years old and attended the funeral of Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Josiah Moore.
"He was the one who inspired me to be a chairman and to … help my people," Navarro said.
He already has definite ideas of what he would do as head of the tribe. Topping the list: Making sure his people are taken care of and increasing Tohono O'odham land.
Though Navarro lives far from his home village, he visits often.
"When I go to my village, which is S-hep Oithag, or Cold Field, I am the happiest," Navarro said of his village, which is south of Sells.
There, Navarro loves to visit with the oldest member of his family - his 90-year-old aunt, Rosita - and talk about the old days.
He fears his heritage and customs are slipping away with time.
"I feel that my culture is losing its language and some of our traditions," Navarro said.
He said last year was the first time he'd witnessed a ceremony for a young girl coming into womanhood.
"Not many girls do this anymore," he said.
Navarro, who wears a medicine bag and a blue ribbon around his neck for protection, also is very spiritual.
"When I was a kid, I had seizures," he said. "My grandmother did a pilgrimage to Magdalena, and since then my illness went away."
Navarro made the trek himself in October. He hiked 64 miles over 2 2/3 days from Nogales, Sonora, to Magdalena, Sonora.
"I believe that our creator, I'itoi, hears our prayers," he said.
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