USU Blanding Constructs Navajo Hogan, Opening Up a Ceremonial and Spiritual Space for Students

Utah State University Blanding has completed construction of a Navajo Hogan on campus, giving students the opportunity to use the structure for prayer, ceremonies, or just as a place to study and relax. The Hogan was blessed on Nov. 30, 2021.

“It’s really about helping people feel at home,” said Kristian Olsen, associate vice president. “You’re typically successful in places where you feel welcomed, comfortable and at home. And those are the places where you thrive. That is what we are trying to do on this campus for our students.”

After the blessing ceremony, the campus hosted a celebration, featuring cultural dances, songs and drummers. The celebration also included remarks from Olsen, student executive vice president Que Begay, vice president for Statewide Campuses Larry Smith and Myron Lizer, vice president of the Navajo Nation, as well as a keynote address from Don Mose Senior, a Navajo Elder.

“Just looking at the Hogan, it creates a lot of peace, acceptance and value for a Native American student,” said Jim Dandy, NASNTI Coordinator. “Just to be around a structure like this or even going in and utilizing to go study, to read, to meditate, to pray, and of course we are also going to be utilizing this structure for ceremonial purposes. And more importantly, this is for the students to learn. We are very excited to have this structure on our campus so that we could give something back to the students of value and make sure they understand that we want all of our students to feel a home away from home.”

A Hogan is a holy sanctuary which is a place to perform ceremonies and to keep life in balance, as well a place of respect and learning. The Hogan is considered to be a living being (iina’) which, when treated with respect, will protect its inhabitants. The Hogan also brings harmony, happiness and material goods, making it a holy place.

“Having a Hogan here on campus gives you a feeling of home, because this is where our foundation is as the Diné people,” said Riana James, a sophomore and Navajo student at USU Blanding.

On the USU Blanding campus, 68 percent of students are Native American, with more than 90 percent of those students identifying as Navajo. In congruence with its mission statement of “cultivating diversity of thought and culture”, USU hopes the structure shows its Native American students and the community that USU is a welcoming campus for students and is committed to honoring its students’ Native American culture.

“Basically, from the beginning of time, this was our home,” Begay said. “It still is our home.”