Artist, illustrator, Charles Yanito
Charles Yanito was born in Bluff, Utah to the Tl'ash chii and the Toh dich'iinih clans. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and holds degrees from the College of Eastern Utah and Utah State University. He has exhibited his works in numerous galleries and regional art festivals. His illustrations can be seen in many San Juan Media Center publications. Currently, Charles resides in Bear, Delaware with his family. Charles Yanito's newest book with San Juan School District Heritage Language Resource Center, is entitled, The Legend of the Navajo Hero Twins. It is written in both Navajo and English.
Artist, illustrator, Curtis Yanito
Curtis Yanito grew up near Bluff, Utah, surrounded by Navajo culture and traditions as well as the ancient history and art of the Pueblo Ancestors (Anasazi). He graduated from San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah and attended the College of Eastern Utah in Price. Yanito's art, which includes pottery making, painting, graphic design, book illustration, poetry, as well as music, is largely self-taught. His work is inspired and informed by the teachings of his parents and grandparents, through his spirituality, and is executed in prayer. Yanito resides with his family in Bluff, Utah where he operates the family-owned business, "Yanito Baahozho." Curtis Yanito's newest book with San Juan School District Heritage Language Resource Center is entitled, Tsidil, Navajo Stick Game Stories. It is written in both Navajo and English and will be released in Spring 2013.
Traditional Storyteller, Don Mose, Jr.
Don Mose, Jr. is a member of the Navajo Nation, originally from the small reservation community of Pinon, Arizona. Storytelling has always been a primary focus of Don's life. As a boy, Don listened to the timeless history and narratives as related by his Grandfather and Aunt. Don has committed his life's work to sharing these traditional stories with the younger generations. In his quest to keep the flames of Navajo culture alive, Don has traveled to the far north, the Yukon and into Siberia, and has been inspired along the way by the stories of the traditional Athabascan people he met on his journeys. It is Don's desire that these traditional stories be used as an educational foundation, to bring awareness to Navajo youth, and to instill a sense of identity and pride in the future generations.
Recently retired from San Juan School District, Don co-created many of the books produced over the past 40 years, including the coyote story series, Legend of the Horse, Moccasin Game, as well as our newest title, Legend of the Navajo Hero Twins. Listeners will recognize Don's voice on audio stories and DVDs, such as Coyote Tosses the Stars. Don continues his work as a cultural advisor at Rock Point School and is often invited to present string game programs and participate in other cultural events throughout the Four Corners.
Artist, illustrator, Molly Trainor
Molly Trainor is a professional illustrator and graphic designer from Alaska. She has worked for the US Forest Service developing and designing maps of Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in Utah and elevation drawings of both ruins and historical buildings. Molly has also created the whimsical and appealing illustrations for a series of Primary Readers published by the San Juan School District Heritage Language Resource Center as well as illustrations for the Coyote series books.
Lucille Hunt, author, editor, translator
Lucille Hunt is a Native American, a recognized and respected traditional Navajo storyteller and performer. She is a short-story writer, traditional dance instructor, certified Navajo Language and Culture Educator, and Navajo language translator. As an expert in her language, she has translated many government, educational, and medical transcripts into bilingual documents. Lucille holds a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University. She is employed with an air ambulance company. Lucille is a member of the Utah Humanities Council Public Square Presenter Program. As a presenter, she discusses, "Navajo Culture and Traditions Past and Present." She is also a recipient of the UHC 2005 Storytelling Merit Award. Lucille is also a published author, having written the "Eagle Can Fly" book for the San Juan School District Heritage Language Resource Center. This short story about an eaglet who learns about the power of his heritage, can be found in our on-line book section. Lucille also is one of our Language Center volunteers!
Lucille was born and raised on the Eastern Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. She was first introduced to the English language at the age of six when she was enrolled at the BIA boarding school. She lived in a hogan next to her grandmother, Haazbaa', from whom she learned many of the traditional ways and stories. Lucille has lived in Blanding for over fifteen years. She has seven sisters and is married with six children and two foster daughters. Lucille enjoys her twenty-four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Lucille is from the "People of the Mud Clan" and her paternal clan is the "Autumn Red Meadow Clan." Her maternal grandfather is Comanche and her paternal grandfather's clan is the "Golden Meadow Clan."
Artist, illustrator, graphic designer, Theresa Breznau
Theresa Breznau is president of Living Earth Studios in Bluff, Utah. In addition to creating many of the illustrations and posters for the Heritage Language Resource Center, Breznau also works with Anasazi Heritage Center and Edge of the Cedars Museum to create innovative exhibit design and illustrations.
