The intention of ASU Sheep Camp is to provide ASU students, and the greater Phoenix community, with opportunities to participate in the indigenous food sovereignty movement occurring in indigenous communities globally.

1. ASU Sheep Camp
A Proposal To: ASU Community Members
Spring 2014
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
OF PHOENIX, AZ

2. March 23, 2014
ASU Sheep Camp is Here!
An experience no student will forget.
The intention of ASU Sheep Camp is to provide ASU students, and the
greater Phoenix community, with opportunities to participate in the
indigenous food sovereignty movement occurring in indigenous
communities globally.
By supporting ASU Sheep Camp, an indigenous food harvesting
celebration, ASU students will have the opportunity to highlight
approaches to sustainability that indigenous peoples’ holistic practices
embraced centuries before the coming of western civilization. ASU
Sheep Camp will work hard to ensure that tribal nation’s best interests
are being met. Through research and community involvement we
promise to deliver a culturally appropriate, and opportunity engaging
event, that will further the integration of indigenous food systems in to
local communities.
Food sovereignty? Food sovereignty!
“Food sovereignty” is defined as the right people have to sustain their
own food systems. Since colonialism, Native food systems and traditional
ecological knowledge have undergone intense scrutiny. In the past 100
years the government’s solution for many Native communities has been
assimilation, or the process by which language and culture conform to
that of another group. This assimilation process also encompasses our
food systems, mostly dominated now by corporations. Instead of
conforming to the demands of a corporate food market, ASU Sheep
Camp empowers students, and other community members, to come up
with innovative ways to keep local ecosystems and indigenous
communities unique, healthy, and sustainable.
Overall, the primary focus of ASU Sheep Camp is to help participants
better understand the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual value of
food. For days leading up to the harvest workshops, seminars, and other
motivationally inspiring activities will be held that focus on the importance
of implementing traditional ecological knowledge in to our local food
systems. We look forward to inviting speakers from across the
indigenous community to share with us their projects. The opportunities
to learn from one another are endless as the entire harvest will be
documented and available online. The whole ASU, Phoenix, and global
community are invited to share in this extraordinary event!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
OF PHOENIX, AZ.
Navajo Sheep Culture
“Navajo philosophy, spirituality, and
sheep are intertwined like wool in the
strongest weaving. Sheep symbolize the
Good Life, living in harmony and balance
on the land. Before the Navajo acquired
sheep on this continent, they held the
idea of Sheep in their genetic memory
from thousands of years ago.”
- Glenna Bitsoi (recursos.org)
Although sheep are not inherently from
Arizona, their presence has undoubtable
shaped Navajo culture forever. Songs,
stories, and prayers sent to the Navajo
people by Spider Woman are meant to
honor this special animal. By traditionally
harvesting sheep, Navajo people are able
to use all its parts to create everything
from delicious mutton stew to the coveted
Navajo rug. Their special techniques and
products will be shared with everyone who
attends ASU Sheep Camp.

3. Spring 2014
ASU Sheep Camp
Agenda (March 17th – 21st)
Workshops & Seminars
The Basics of Navajo Rug Weaving
Sacred land, Sacred food
The History of Indigenous Farming
Go Red! An answer to America’s Green Movement
Projects Indigenous ASU students are involved in
Sunday, March 23rd
5:00 am – Opening prayer
Sunrise – Begin sheep harvest
11:00 am – Lunch is served
1:00 pm – Closing song and prayer
Pictured above is Haskell Indian Nations University’s Wetlands Preservation
Organization, a student club dedicated to saving the Wakarusa Wetlands in
Lawrence, Kansas. In May of 2012, the WPO co-hosted
Haskell’s Buffalo Harvest, an indigenous food harvesting celebration.

4. March 23, 2014
ASU SHEEP CAMP
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF
PHOENIX, AZ.
The Future of ASU Sheep Camp
Join our team!
In order to run a successful sheep
harvest we need a variety of team
members and volunteers. Depending on
how many sheep will be harvested will
determine the actual number of people
needed. Core members should include
a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a Chief
Harvest Coordination Officer (CHCO), a
Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and an
Information Technology Specialist (ITS).
* CEO will be in charge of overseeing all
aspects of the ASU Sheep Harvest.
* CHCO will be in charge of delegating
volunteer responsibilities as well as
making sure the harvest is respectful
and culturally appropriate.
* CFO will be in charge of all finances.
* ITS will be in charge of marketing the
ASU Sheep Harvest websites and
online marketing tools.
* Volunteers are needed to assist all
officers in their respected roles.
Working Budget
Item
Sheep
Tools
Location rental
Special Guests
Silverware
Media
Advertisements
Possible
donation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Imagine the possibilities…
Cost
$80
$250
Depends
$2500
$250
$500
$250
Estimated Total $3,830
*Note many items have the potential to be
donated thereby reducing the overall cost.
Indigenous food harvesting celebrations are organized mainly by ASU
students, professors, and alumni, but are open to the general public for the
benefit of everyone from all walks of life. ASU Sheep Camp is formed on
the principle that all Indigenous cultural practices should be standard to
higher education; and, that the Native American student population should
not have to look further than their college campuses to have access to
traditional Native teachings and culturally appropriate activities.
The success of our association can be measured by the vast array of
people who are involved. Although the return of our work holds a more
culturally aesthetic value, those who partake in this ceremony will
understand its worth. Participants will leave feeling a stronger connection
to their environment, an empowerment to take control over their local food
systems, and feel a closer bond between the other members of their
community. There is a future in revitalizing Indigenous harvesting
practices. Not only does ASU Sheep Camp have potential to lead to
innovative opportunities, it can also lead to new way of life.
How you can help
For ASU Sheep Camp’s opening year all expenditures will be generated by
private donations. To the left is a budget that outlines all the major financial
obstacles we need to overcome in order to run an efficacious first harvest.
Fortunately, a major cost (tools) will be a one-time expense. We will be
able to use them in future harvests without any cost. To further reduce our
budget we will work hard to find nonmonetary donations. For this reason
we recognize that every contribution will help tremendously.
When this project is complete, the Indigenous community of ASU and the
greater Phoenix area, alongside several other organizations and affiliates,
will have successfully united. ASU Sheep Camp will provide a platform to
positively share Native philosophies and promote current Indigenous
projects in need of attention. Most importantly, the sheep itself will serve as
an offering to the surrounding community in hopes that stronger
relationships can be attained. We hope that you are intrigued to be a part
of this exciting chance to help ASU students and Native communities.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please visit our website for
more information and important updates.

5. ASU SHEEP CAMP
ASU SHEEP CAMP
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF
PHOENIX, AZ.
P 480-258-2930
E Millicent.Pepion@asu.edu
MillicentPepion@gmail.com
http://minipah.wix.com/asusheepcamp

6. ASU SHEEP CAMP
ASU SHEEP CAMP
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF
PHOENIX, AZ.
P 480-258-2930
E Millicent.Pepion@asu.edu
MillicentPepion@gmail.com
http://minipah.wix.com/asusheepcamp