Six Catapult team members head to Northern Arizona in June to participate in what we’re lovingly calling “CataCAMP: Catapult Design Cultural and Anthropological Methods Program.”   It’s a time to learn and share new skills, cultivate our field work methods, and build relationships on the Navajo Reservation.  The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the United States in terms of people and land mass.  It currently covers 26,000 square miles and is home for 180,462 Navajos according to the 2000 census. The Navajo Nation has landed in the news most recently with its government initiative to create green jobs and its $32 million project to outfit the reservation with high-speed internet.  Despite these initiatives, approximately 40% of Navajos live without electricity and still haul water to their homes, the unemployment rate lingers at 50%, and per capita income is less than $8000.

During our one-week stay, we’ll be staying with rural host families, engaging in cultural activities and ceremonies, and visiting the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, responsible for electrifying the reservation.  We’ll also be working on further developing our field skills, including:  energy and water usage and assessment, community health assessment, facilitating focus groups, cultural research methods, participatory design, etc.

To learn more about CataCAMP, or if you’re interested in supporting this program, please email heather(at)catapultdesign(dot)org.  We’re also welcoming visits with more organizations (non-profit, government entities, etc) during our stay.  Stay tuned for more updates!