Walatowa Head Start weaves language and culture into early learning

The Walatowa Head Start Early Childhood Learning Center on the Pueblo of Jemez is one of three Head Start sites in New Mexico that offer formal language immersion, according to The 74. Children begin each school day with a prayer in Hemish, the oral language of the tribe. Led by teacher Bertha Gachupin, the students share their Native name, clan and a prayer while offering sacred cornmeal and reinforcing cultural identity and language skills. Classrooms feature hand grinders for cornmeal, and the children participate in traditional activities such as songs, dances and story hour led by local elders.

Executive Director Lana Garcia said the language loss in the community has been alarming, but the program’s efforts are helping preserve Hemish among the tribe’s youngest members. Federal funding uncertainty remains a challenge, though Garcia remains focused on keeping the tribe’s culture and language alive through the center’s curriculum.