Singing your heart away: Language learning through song

Devery Suina, Cochiti and Santa Ana Pueblo

Fig. 1 personal Picture ¨Senior Pictures¨

10 April 2026

Fig. 2 Santa Ana Pueblo. santaana-nsn.gov.

Fig. 3 Pueblo de Cochiti. “Front Page - Pueblo de Cochiti.” Pueblo De Cochiti, 12 Aug. 2025, cochiti.org.

Suina, Devery SHP Video .webm

Chapter 1: Identity

Fig. 4 Santa Fe Indian School. “SFIS Feast Day 2025.” YouTube, 13 Oct. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rusjTEaZIc.

¨Sharing One Skin¨

By Jeannette Armstrong

The Article ¨Sharing One Skin" is about community and relationship, which is described as ¨our skin¨. Also discusses our relationship to the world, such as "Our flesh is a piece of the world." The article also talks about the physical, emotional, and mental self. Jeannette Armstrong incorporates language and community as a part of one's identity as an indigenous person.

Armstrong, Jeanette. “Sharing One Skin: The Okanagan Community,” in Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds), The Case Against the Global Economy. San Francisco, CA, Sierra Club Books, 1996. Pp 460-470.

Fig. 5 Personal Picture ¨Snowy Summer¨ 14 March 2023.

¨How place names impact the way we see landscape¨

By B. Toastie

The article ¨ How place names impact the way we see landscape talks about how certain groups changed landscape names because famous colonizers discovered them. The landscapes that were once changed held a sacred place for practice and gathering materials for survival. These landscapes also hold strength and powerful meanings, but with the name being changed and the belief being lost, causes these landscapes to lose their power and stories.

Toastie, B. “How place names impact the way we see landscape.” High Country News: Know the West, 1 May 2022, https://www.hcn.org/issues/54.5/people-places-how-place-names-impact-the-way-we-see-landscape. Accessed 27 August 2022.

Fig. 6 Personal Picture "Over The Rainbow" 21 September 2023.

¨And Then I Went To School¨

By Joe Suina

In the article ¨And Then I Went To School¨ Joe Suina talks about growing up with his grandmother in Cochiti Pueblo. While growing up with his grandmother, Joe talks about how the struggle was in school while trying to learn English. Joe also talks about how technology changed the way things looked in the pueblo and how he was drifting away from his traditional practices to help succeed in the white-man way for the sake of him and his family.

Suina, Joe (1985). ¨And Then I Went To School: Memories of a Pueblo childhood.¨ New Mexico Journal of Reading 5(2)

Chapter 2: History

Fig.7 KCLC Montessori – KCLC Montessori. kclcmontessori.org.

¨Native American Act: Twenty years later has it made a difference?¨

By: Cultural Survival

In the article ¨Native American Act: Twenty years later has it made a difference?¨ by Cultural Suvival . It talks about how the United States took away our culture and identity. Also talks about different acts that the United States put out to bring back the indigenous people. Also the article talks about how Native American students do better in school with students who share a similar culture.

“ Native American Language Act: Twenty Years Later Has It Made a Difference?” Cu;tural Sruvival. 19 July 2012”

¨The Memory of Song¨

By; Joe Bruchac

In the article ¨The memory of song¨ by Bruchac Joe it talks about how different tribes out side of the United States were affect by the European way of life. Also talks about how the song is not just words or melody but a way of life and has been like this from the beginning of life. Also how song is passed on from generation to generation to teach younger children in hopes to save the tradition.

“ Bruchac Joe “The Memory of Song” Joe Bruchac. 24 July 2024”

Fig.9 “ Garcia, Mike, Host ” The Life of a Dog On The Rez.¨

¨The Healing Power of Song¨

By; Mike Garcia

The podcast ¨The Life of a Dog on the Rez episode The healing power of song¨ by Mike garcia talks about the importance of song and its powers. Long ago before the white men came song was a from of teaching to the children. Also now these songs are used to tell stories of the past and how we came to be. These songs also hold importance of the history about the indigenous people. Also the podcast talks about the present day and how the pueblo people are trying to regain the language and culture.

“ Garcia, Mike, Host “The Healing Power of Song” The Life of a Dog On The Rez. Season 1 episode 37, Spotify, 10 September 20214.”

Chapter 3: Current State of the Issue

Fig.10 “ Sharing Pueblo dances. 1 Dec. 2022, www.sudrum.com/culture/2022/12/01/sharing-pueblo-dances.

Does Music Assist in Learning a New Language?

By: Eben Pena

The article talks about studies behind using music as a learning took. Also the article talks about how traditional songs are being used in schools as a form or teaching new languages and learning about the cultural heritage. Studies also show that schools in many states are picking up on this form of teaching and are being used in the students curriculum. A group of kids were put through the test to see song and melody could help with memory. With the results it shows that 75% of kids could remember and understand.

¨Ebena Pena ¨ Does Music Assist in Learning a New Language?¨ 24 November 2025

Fig.11 Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. www.newmexico.org/native-culture/native-communities/ohkay-owingeh-pueblo.

Using Music in World Language Classes

By: Elena Spathis

In the article ¨Using Music in World Language Classes” is about the reasons why it is important and how it helps not only the students but also the teachers learn as one. The article also has some key points about why it is important to use or even give a try. Also gives on how to teach and learn using this method. Also talks about how schools use this as a friendly competitions and sing alongs. Also a common goal of world language teachers everywhere is to have students use the language in their real lives and to appreciate and value cultures different from their own. Music can help to achieve these goals and can contribute to a positive language learning experience for all.

¨Elena Spathis ¨Using Music in World Language Classes ¨ 17 December 2021

Chapter 4: Global Connections

' We are Indigenous people, not primitive people': the role of popular music in Indigenous language revitalization in Taiwan.

By: Karen Huang

The Article explains how peopleu music has helped revive Indigenous languages in Taiwan. Many Indigenous languages in Taiwan were declining because of the government policies and pressure to speak Mandarin Chinese instead of traditional languages.

Huang, Karen. “‘We Are Indigenous People, Not Primitive People.’: The Role of Popular Music in Indigenous Language Revitalization in Taiwan.” Current Issues in Language Planning, vol. 24, no. 4, Nov. 2022, pp. 440–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/14664208.2022.2145540.

Revitalising language through music: a case study of music and culturally grounded pedagogy in two Kanien’ke:ha (Mohawk) language immersion programmes

By: Jessie M. Vallejo

The article studies about how music can help revitalize indigenous languages, focusing on immersion programs that teach the Kanien'Ke:ha (Mohawk Language). These programs are connected to the Haudenosaunee communities.

Vallejo, Jessie M. “Revitalising Language Through Music: A Case Study of Music and Culturally Grounded Pedagogy in twoKanien’ke:Ha(Mohawk) Language Immersion Programmes.” Ethnomusicology Forum, vol. 28, no. 1, Jan. 2019, pp. 89–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/17411912.2019.1641124.

Embracing Local Indigenous Peoples’ Ways and Musics in School Music Classes

By: Anita Prest, J. Scott Goble, and Hector Vazquez-Cordoba

The article talks about how schools can include local Indigenous music and knowledge in music classes to better respect and represent Indigenous culture. The authoes discuss efforts in Canada to make music education more inclusive of First Peoples' traditions and perspectives.

“Embracing Local Indigenous Peoples’ Ways and Musics in School Music Classes - NAfME.” NAfME, nafme.org/blog/embracing-local-indigenous-peoples-ways-and-musics-in-school-music-classes/'.

Action Plans

¨Learning and Healing Through Traditional Music¨

For my first action plan I hosted it with my fellow classmates Cameron Gutierrez and Jesse Whiteman-Trujillo. Our action plan took place on November 13th 2025 in MST- 02 Kythie Blue-Sky´s classroom. The goal of our action plan was to provide a safe place for students to express their cultural heritage. One of the main things that really stood out in our action plan was singing songs that belong to our pueblos. The outcome of our action plan was very great many students participated by singing songs and asking questions about what different words meant and how the story was told through the song.

¨Relax, Compose, and learn¨

For my second action plan it was hosted on March 17th 2026 in MST-02 Kythie Blue-Sky´s room. The goal of my action plan was to create a song to help teacher the younger generations the basic things about our language and culture. Although the action plan didnt go how I wanted it to it actually turned out better than expected. The main people who taught me the basics of song structure and how to make a good song are Mike Garcia and Kevin Lewis both from Santa Ana Pueblo, and is what helped make my action plan better than ever because I did get ot learn new things that I did not know before and helped me be more comfortable with creating this song. After our action plan was over I got a quote from Kevin Lewis that says “ So like, its just complexities layered upon layers to get down to the root of what the story is.” Even today this quote sticks with me and helps me value the art of song.

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