An Enriching Educational Experience
OSU students who attend Academic Credit Courses in Taos often report how the educational experience at the Doel Reed Center enriched their lives and helped to solidify their future career paths.
Elizabeth Shuffield enrolled in Narratives of Identity: Language, Community, and Place taught July 5-16, 2021. She recently wrote about how the two week session in Taos convinced her she was pursuing the right career, one that will focus on recognizing, respecting and preserving cultural differences.
“Attending class at the Doel Reed Center in Taos was one of the most enriching experiences so far in my life. To be able to take a course on narrative, language, and identity while exploring the region and the culture in Taos has deepened my understanding of both the subject and of myself. Having decided earlier in the summer to pursue a career in archival management, specifically working on preserving documents and stories often lost in history, getting to experience those narratives through this class has been solidifying my decision. Without being awarded the Smelser-Vallion Scholarship, this experience would not have been available to me, as I could not afford the class without it.
During our time in Taos, we explored the local people's identity and the history behind it. Visiting several sites, such as the Plaza, New Mexico History Museum, Taos Art Museum at Fechin House, La Hacienda de Los Martinez, and Earthship Biotecture, we learned of the diverse history of Taos. From the Native homes to the Spanish occupation, the wars, and the contemporary art scene, we discussed how the location and language used by people shape not only how they view themselves but how they present themselves to others. One of our experiences was being invited into a home and taught how to cook a Pueblo feast meal. Norma, our host, told us about her history as a Puebloan and how the Spanish culture has blended into their traditions. She told us how the meal we were making was a traditional meal for feast days, a custom of Catholicism, and how that was brought into the Pueblo culture by the settlers.
One of the things that struck me the most during this class was talking to the locals. They had a distinctive perspective on their unique situation. Everyone I spoke with talked about their Native and Hispanic heritage with pride. They saw themselves as survivors. Some expressed lingering hurt over the Spanish colonization, but many embraced the now mixed culture that they embodied. Spanish was the dominant language. Most locals spoke to each other in Spanish and would talk to tourists in Spanish before English in some areas. Signs were written in both Spanish and English, embracing the locals' identity and connection to the Spanish language. The heritage languages of the Pueblo people were also preserved through both writing and oral dialogues. In maintaining their traditional pueblo-style architecture, they also worked to keep their language alive through storytelling and passing the language on to their children.
Another interesting aspect of their identity was their struggle to maintain their identity against the tourist population. Locals were closed off to outsiders but would light up in recognition of another local or when I could speak their language. To truly get connected to them, one had to show patience and a willingness to meet them within their culture – an experience I am familiar with living in a small town with a large tourist population. Keeping outsiders at arms reach makes preserving their culture easier and a more authentic experience for those who live in it, to keep it from becoming a novelty only there to bring people in.
Without the scholarship provided, I would not have been able to experience the culture of Taos or the identity of the people there. From this experience, I have solidified my career path to preserve the identities of minorities and those overlooked. I experienced a blend of cultures that thrives in Taos simply because the people cherish it and make it alive. It isn't easy to put into words the impact this class has had on me personally, helping me to come to know myself better in the process of getting to know the locals. I thank you for your generosity in supporting my stay and experience in Taos. You have allowed me a great gift that has not only added to my educational and career goals but also my personal life as well.”
Learn more about OSU Student Credit Courses in Taos and consider giving to the scholarship fund. Like Elizabeth Shuffield, most students are unable to attend without the generous support of donors. Your gift will help enrich the education of an OSU student.