Native Skywatchers - Little Singer School - ''Naadáá ' Bee Iiná

Native Skywatchers - Soundscapes - Year 3

"'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life'”

A Collaborative Research Project ... Soundscape & Relationship with Corn

Acoustic recordings were gathered at the students, families, and teachers at the Little Singer School under the direction of Mr. Albert Brent Chase and his vision for the production --- 'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life'. Building on the skills and inspiration from Year 2-Soundscape Workshop, the team was able to create an entire digital narrative with no spoken words, telling a powerful story of place, priorities, and relationship through SOUND!

The Native Skywatchers Affiliate team met in person with the teachers and students at the Little Singer Community School. A. Lee, D. Delgado, and K. Carlton teamed up with Little Singer teachers Tom Tomas, Ms. Wilphina Becenti, Mr. Albert Brent Chase, and Garrick Yazzie. Together we explored the 'Pre-Production' concepts using both traditional Navajo and traditional design standards.

̇'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life', produced by Mr. Albert Brent Chase, Ms. Wilphina Becenti, Garrick Yazzie, Tom Tomas, and the students at Little Singer Community School, a Native Skywatchers collaboration with Indigenous Education Institute. Used with permission. ©2025. All Rights Reserved

Final Production “'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life'”

Objectives:

1. Develop and strengthen relationships to land, sky, plant and animals using the best of science, art, and culture.

2. Create a Sound-based Digital Narrative, Indigenous with Dine Consciousness. Students respond to the times of crises we are living in by remembering, celebrating, and nuturing their relationship to corn. Following the guidance of Albert Brent Chase & team their collective response is seen in the Sound-based Digital Narrative seen here entitled ‘Naadáá ‘ Bee Iiná - Corn is Life’. Putting down thanks for our Human relationship with Corn through Sound.

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life' (0:47) - (1:01)

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life' (1:49) - (2:16)

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life' (9:34) - (11:05)

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life'(11:05) - (11:55)

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life' (2:46) - (2:48)

'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life' (11:55) - (12:52)

Photo Gallery - 'Naadáá ' Bee Iiná - Corn is Life', Produced by Albert Brent Chase & team, Little Singer Community School, Navajo Nation, Winslow, Arizona 2025:

Little Singer Community School, is located on the Navajo Nation near Winslow, ,Arizona. Little Singer Community School is a tribally controlled Navajo grant school located on the Little Colorado River Basin in the far southwestern region of the Navajo Reservation. "It is our vision to help students develop a positive self-image and unlimited life-long opportunities. The Diné language and culture aids students ability to walk with confidence in the Diné and western society, through the Diné concepts on nitsáhákees, na’hat’aa, Iina, and sih hasin. Our education program focuses on learning and higher level thinking skills. The wisdom and tradition of the Diné culture and language is taught by a combination of elders, parents, and staff. Little Singer Community School stakeholders, past and present, reaffirm the dream of Little Singer to have school and family come together to bring a bright future for children."