Giving Life to the Sacred in a Most Unlikely Way:

For Immediate Release October 17, 2007
Cell: 602-614-5618
Email: margaretm@osovistaranchproject.org

Ramah, NM The message was whispered to the blond haired, blue eyed one…”Build a Hogan.” She felt like Noah as she looked to the sky and said “Me?”

On September 15, 2007 medicine man, Glenn Adeky and his son, Howard breathed life into the Oso Vista Ranch Project by blessing the first traditional Hogan to be built for the Ramah Navajo community in 15 years. The celebration opens the way for this Hogan to be used for ceremonies, teaching and meetings. “It is now blessed,” said Medicine Man Howard Adeky. “When any of these events take place in it, that event and the people in it will also be blessed.”

Medicine Man Glenn Adeky, Medicine Man Howard Adeky and
Executive Director Margaret Merrill after the Hogan Blessing

Ray Begaye speaks with the Medicine Man after the Blessing Ceremony

Oso Vista Ranch Project, a non-profit corporation, devotes itself to providing an environment for the Ramah Navajo Community and the people of the world to authentically experience Navajo culture, gain empowered personal awareness and global understanding. This Hogan is the center of Oso Vista’s cultural preservation and culturally based behavioral health, entrepreneurship and financial literacy projects.

The Oso Vista (meaning courage and vision of the bear) projects got their start in a Tobacco Cessation and Prevention grant. State Representative Ray Begaye championed the bill that diverted some Tobacco Settlement money into Native communities. His request was that these grant-funded projects be culturally competent. The Oso Vista Ranch Project was a perfect fit. “Representative Begaye’s vision and belief in our mission has been essential. We wouldn’t be having this blessing without his support,” said Margaret Merrill, Executive Director of the project.

Merrill, founder of the Oso Vista Ranch Project, was a teacher at Pine Hill School for 23 years in the Ramah Navajo community. “I had a ranch, a love for this Navajo community and a background in personal development. I didn’t know how they fit together until one day I asked the land what it needed to be for humanity. I heard a voice, as clear as can be, say, “Build a Hogan.” In retrospect, that one message unified the hearts and resources of everyone involved

“As we began working with the Hogan builders I came to understand just how central to Navajo culture the Hogan is. It is wrapped in symbolism, story and history. It’s the sanctuary in which every significant event in a traditional Navajo person’s life happens. Then I realized how few were still being used or built. When I heard that many are being used for storage I knew we had to revive their importance and also preserve all of this richness on film. We’re working now on producing a documentary. It is being paid for entirely by donations.”

“During the building process the Hogan builders asked if we would help them create a Hogan building business. With unemployment being 50% in this rural community we saw the Hogan as a powerful opportunity to create a simple business model that Native people can use to take their many talents to market. I believe it’s important to include financial literacy so that these businesses sustain themselves and that families are empowered through this aspect of the Oso Vista project. I’ve written one grant so far and am committed to finding the funds to make this a reality.”

State Senator Lidio Rainaldi of District 4, who attended the blessing with his wife, Helen, said of the project, “This is the most unique project I have ever seen. It is essential that we preserve culture.”

To find out more about the Oso Vista Ranch Project or donate to its preservation and empowerment programs go to www.osovistaranchproject.org

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Margaret Merrill is available for interviews.

Contact her by cell or email.
Cell: 602-614-5618
Email: margaretm@osovistaranchproject.org