If you are interested in staying at Black Mesa to support a family or single person there,  you have to be very well prepared.  For the complete information you are supposed to know for you stay please click on www.blackmesais.org. One absolutely important part of the things you need to be informed about is the Navajo culture.  For this reason we advice you to read this cultural sensitivity packet very carefully and to act according to it because it is a necessary guideline for your stay:

WAYS TO BE HELPFUL TO A FAMILY
You will be needed to do everyday things such as: herd sheep, chop & haul firewood, haul water, cook, clean, take care of children and elders, repair homes, plant and harvest corn, and witness and document harassment. Massage may be much appreciated. Don't try to impress anyone while working. They know that many supporters don't come from a lifestyle like theirs, and it takes time to adjust. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you have little or no experience doing these things. Families and support organizations are here to help you with these things as well.

You should ask a resident how you should help, what kind of work you can do. Don't stand around and wait for someone to tell you what to do. It is GOOD to ask how to help and then do the job well and completely. Self motivation is a must. Many times, and especially with the elders, they won't come right out and tell you what to do. Good listening skills will come in handy.

Use everything as sparingly as possible, use only what you need. Do not waste or be excessive. Be mindful of how much wood you are using for heating and cooking and chop wood for you and the family as well. Use wood as sparingly as possible. Chop wood only from a woodpile! (NOT a coral, fence, or any other area). If you have never chopped wood before, it's OK to ask how to do it or otherwise you will end up breaking a families' only ax or maul--a common uh-oh. Worse, you may end up hurting yourself. There are certain ways to chop wood that make it easier, like not cutting into knots in the wood, or how to place a piece about to be cut. Never take wood from or touch a tree struck by lightning. Do not disturb tree roots or cut live trees. Always ask first about these sorts of things.

Be polite, gentle, and well mannered at all times. Do not be intrusive, rude, or challenging in your actions or questions. Do not question peoples' reasons for doing things you do not understand unless you feel unsafe. There may be some religious significance that is not to be spoken about. Please refrain from asking personal questions. Most of the questions that are repeatedly asked can be answered by reading material that has been available for years. In most traditional societies, 'intelligence' is measured by ones' ability to learn and understand through observation, rather than ones' ability to ask 'smart' questions. Always wait until someone is finished speaking AND give a few moments of pause before you speak. DO NOT INTERRUPT. Your question may be answered before you know it. Listen more than you speak!! If you see another person acting out of line, pull them to the side and talk with them about it. Don't leave it for the family to have to deal with.

Always greet everyone with a very gentle handshake and "Ya'at'eeh" (hello). Do not stare at people, especially straight in the eyes. Hugs and touching are rarely done, so don't initiate it and if someone hugs you, hug back lightly.

Don't wear excessively ragged or ripped clothing. Mend your clothing if you need to. Show that you have respect for yourself. Be modest and never go nude or partially nude. Cover yourself from your shoulders to your knees. (Tank tops do not cover your shoulders.) Men, do not take off your shirts or expose your chest even while working. Women, cover your shoulders and do not wear tight or revealing clothing. Always wear shoes, do not go barefoot, unless the family doesn't care, but watch out for thorns, cactus, etc.

Personal hygiene is a must. Keep yourself clean and well-groomed. Try to keep offensive body odor to a minimum. Take sponge/bucket baths whenever possible. Wash out your socks and clothes often. It is good t0 keep your hair brushed and tied back. If you have dreadlocks, keep them tied back or under a scarf if possible. With all due respect, please keep excessive facial piercings at a minimum and wear posts if you can. Piercings can sometimes be a barrier to communication and to building relationships. Always wash your hands first thing in the morning, before handling food or dishes, after using the outhouse, etc. The handwash is usually located right near the door. Once the water is murky, take it outside and disperse it on the ground so the animals do not drink the soapy water. Conserve as much water as possible! This cannot be emphasized enough. Families have to travel long distances on the back country roads to get their water. Water is very scarce thanks to Peabody Coal,and over-consumptive lifestyles. Water must be hauled continually, which takes time and resources. Many guests come from homes that have running water and tend to use much more than actually needed. Watch the families to see how they do it. Be especially aware of this if there is a group of you visiting families. Offer to either restock the water from existing barrels or replace it yourselves.

Be sure to wake up and start your day before dawn -this is very important!! Please do not sleep in or be lazy! We come here to work and do not expect anything in return. Wake up, take the ashes out and start a fire. If you are in our own hogon or house, then your host family will see that you are staying warm by the smoke coming out of the stovepipe and won't worry about your wellbeing.

Respect your camp by keeping your space clean, cleaning up after yourself wherever you go, and taking care of your fire and your ashes (ash is taken out every morning to the ash pile outside before lighting the morning fire). Always put things back right where you found them. If you use water, refill it. Double check after others in your party to make sure that these things really are getting done.

Do not point your finger. Rather, point with your lips.

Do not use rude or foul language.

Have respect for everybody in the family, the elders, the middle-aged and the children. Treat everyone with kindness. Respect everyone and yourself by not yelling, arguing, or fighting with people.

If you are a couple and have been having relationship difficulties, please leave your problems at home. Do not argue or fight around the family. It puts too much strain on people.

Avoid gossip and don't participate in it. Disrupters often spread rumors to confuse and divide families. Keep in mind that the ever-increasing stress of loss of culture is starting to break down social structures and create disharmony between all relations. Do not contribute to it, and be objective- take rumors that people tell you with a grain of salt. Do not act on any rumors unless you know they have been confirmed.

Don't make a lot of noise or be obnoxious, especially at night, or other times such as in border towns, in stores, parking lots, at. Always ask before playing drums, guitars, stereos, etc., or play them out of earshot. Whistling, clapping, and playing wind instruments at night is taboo, so ask. Each family is different.

If you say that you are going to do something, follow through with it!! If you ask how someone's vehicle is running, then be prepared to help with the matter.

If you really feel compelled to take a picture, always ask beforehand. People may be uncomfortable having pictures taken of themselves, their homes, their sheep, etc. Never take pictures of drawings of shrines, ruins, ceremonial objects, anything relating to Dineh spirituality. Do not exploit them.

If someone shares traditional knowledge with you, about religion, personal stories, sacred ways, etc., it is for YOU and YOU alone to know (unless otherwise specified).

Because of livestock impoundment's, familial relocation, and a loss of many aspects of traditional life, many Dineh can no longer be self-sufficient. For some who wish to remain with their parents on their ancestral homelands rather than living as far as hundreds of miles away, it may be necessary for them to work at Peabodys' coal mine to feed their families. Judge no one here.

Use the outhouses unless you're sheep herding or there is not one . Do not relieve yourself near or in front of people.

Be sensitive to the land around you. Walk gently on the land. Try extra hard not to trample plants or cause unnecessary erosion.

Use wood only from the wood pile, and only after asking permission to do so.

It's best not to arrive at someones' house after sundown unless you absolutely have to or if prior arrangements have been made. It's also easy to get lost.

Avoid traveling at night on the reservation. If you do, always bring a shovel and extra warmth with you.

It's taboo to leave your hair lying around. Bury it or burn it in the fire.

Avoid traveling through other peoples' camps or home sites.

HAVE FUN! Laughs are important for everyone.

Never bring or use alcohol on the reservation. Do not smoke around people, especially elders. Do not brag about your drug stories. Be careful of people asking you to get them alcohol or any alcohol-related products or drugs. Do not indulge them, even if you feel pressured. If someone shows up with alcohol wanting to share it with you, refuse it. Alcohol has been used as a very effective tool for destroying many, many lives and breaking down spirit and culture. It really upsets the elders when alcohol is used.

RESPECT TRADITIONS
Carry yourself according to the traditional laws. Listen and Respect what the people on the land tell you to do. If there is anything you are not sure about, ask an elder if it's O. K. If someone tells you not to do something or not to go to a certain place, even if you do not know the reason why, respect that. Even though you may think nothing of it, breaking a taboo can upset the family and may bring hardships.

Things that have been left by the ancestors such as pottery shards and ruins are left alone. Do not touch or disturb these any pottery shards you come across or disturb any ruins, abandoned structures, or shrines you encounter. Leave everything as you find it.

Do not touch bones, feathers, antlers, horns, claws, fur, or other objects that you may find, even if you think no one will know. When in Dine'tah, do as the Dineh ask, regardless of your personal desires, unless you feel unsafe in a situation.

There are certain animals here that are taboo. With respect to the culture, do not wear jewelry, clothing, etc., with these animals/objects: Bear, coyote, snake, lizard, owl, shape-shifters, bones, antlers, hooves, horns, claws, fur, etc. Do not involve yourself with these animals while you are here. If you have personal "medicine," such as fetishes, feathers, etc., be discreet with it, keep it tucked away.

Ceremonial sites, such as sweat lodges, , sun dance areas, and offering places are private and are not to be disturbed or entered unless you are in a ceremony with the family.

Women on your menstrual period: Do not participate in ceremonies, sweat lodges, etc. Do not go near ceremonial places ( , sweat lodge sites, Sun Dance arbor). Stay away from the cornfield while on your period. Be discreet about it. You can be around food and people but if there are people of other Native nations present, check in with a Dineh woman. This is not a prejudice, it is tradition and is very important to respect.

RESPECT THE HOGAN
The hogan is the traditional Dineh house and ceremonial space. It is highly sacred, representing much about Dineh way of life. It is built with prayers, and though sometimes it may seem as only a living space, it is always a sacred space. The hogan should be entered as if entering a church. Be respectful of all that you do inside and how you treat the hogan. If you are asked to undertake a project involving the hogan, do it well and with consideration and do not abandon the project. Animals are not allowed inside the hogan. Keep this space tidy and offer to clean, sweep, wash and put dishes away, etc.

RESPECT FOR SPIRITUALITY
The Dineh religion is very private, very sacred, and is not talked about or shared freely. Do not come to the land expecting to learn spiritual teachings or participate in ceremonies. Do not ask questions about Dineh religion. If people wish to share, they will do so. When the family is having a ceremony, give them their space, so not to intrude. You may be asked to help cook for the ceremony. Women, if you are on your menstrual period, do not take the food over to the ceremony (have someone else take it) and first ask a Dineh woman if it's O. K. for you to help cook for the ceremony.

RESPECT THE FOOD
Be prepared to bring your own food for the duration of your stay. Usually families will make a trip to the grocery store within a couple weeks so you will be able to restock up on perishable items then. The Dineh subsist primarily off of meat (usually mutton from the sheep), potatoes, onions, fry bread, coffee and tea, eggs, veggies, fruit that can last awhile, and oats. Many times families will share their food, but may be struggling to provide for themselves and it is imperative to bring your own to lessen their burden. If you are vegetarian or have a special diet, likewise bring your own. (Raw foodists have been able to do it up here!) With many of the families you will eat meals together, sharing each others' food. Bring basic strong food to keep you healthy while working all day. Bring extra food to share with the family if you can. There are no refrigerators out here, remember that. Soy and rice milk tends to last about a week in winter, 4 days in the summer.*See suggested guidelines as to what food is good to bring with you later in this packet.

Most families really love eating vegetables and fruit, but it is more difficult to come by in this area. Bring good food to share whenever possible. Many people suffer from arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, and other diseases, which is largely caused by the extinction of a traditional diet and the imposition of a 'standard American diet'. Most people really benefit from eating a diet that consists less of store-bought meat, eggs, and dairy products, white flour, sugar, and fats (lard, shortening, heavily fried food), and more of traditional/healthy foods such as blue corn (which lowers cholesterol), mutton, beans, squash, brown rice, oats, veggies, fruits, etc.

Respect the family's space when butchering sheep. Do not gawk or make rude comments. If you are asked to help butcher and it strongly goes against your beliefs, you are not obligated to do it. Politely decline.

If you are offered food, take only what you will eat and finish it all. Do not waste food. Afterwards, give thanks. If you are offered meat and do not wish to eat it, refuse it politely. Do not impose your beliefs about vegetarianism or diet upon anybody. You are not required to eat meat or ever forced to eat something that you do not want to.

Do not stab food with a fork or knife (even while you are preparing it), use a sawing motion. Do not stir food with a knife either.

RESPECT THE SHEEP
The Dineh believe the sheep/goats are a sacred gift given to them by the Creator, and they must be respected as such. Do not yell, get angry at, or hurt the animals in any way. Respect them as part of the family. Sheep herding is the basic duty of supporters on the land. They must be herded every day, rain or shine, which involves taking them out in the morning (before dawn in the summer time) and with many herds, walking with them until the afternoon/evening while they eat (5-8 hours per day, 4-8 miles per day). You must be very responsible with them and take care not to lose any sheep. When herding sheep, wear decent shoes or boots, if in winter, wool socks preferably, and bring some water, snacks, and a journal or book with you.

If you take a nap out there and are not paying attention, you may lose them and have to spend hours searching for for the sheep to bringing them home. Losing sheep really stresses the families out, because the sheep are the greatest source of wealth for the Dineh, providing them with food, wool, and money if they need it. Sometimes a few will wander off by themselves, so you must watch them carefully. They pretty much know where they are going, herding themselves. You are just guiding them in certain directions more then anything. It's a big no-no to run the herd (especially when their belly's are full). Remember, if you walk fast, they will walk fast! You can stay some distance behind, or around them. It's far easier on you if you watch the overall general direction of the herd than each one individually, however, know where the goats are, which ones tend to be in the front and which ones tend to be the laggers. After awhile you will get familiar with the terrain, (keep your head up, getting to know the terrain, the mesas, and other landmarks), you'll also get to know the herds regular routes. When it is time to go home, just circle way around them to turn them around. (Whatever direction you are in they will generally go the opposite.) The SHEEP will herd YOU home! It's good to study their chon' and footprints, knowing the fresh from hours or days old. This way if any are ever lost, you will know what to look for. Some also wear bells so you can hear them.

During lambing seasons (late fall, midwinter, and early spring), you must watch the pregnant mothers carefully and when they go into labor in the field, stay with them. If they are very pregnant, you may want to consider not taking them too far away from the homesite. Families will let you know. Tie something bright in the tree to mark where the birthing mother is as well as to keep predators away. You can tell she's in labor because she'll start laying down and getting up a lot, she'll go off by herself, and she'll be breathing heavy/having contractions. An hour or two after she's given birth (after afterbirth has come out and she's cleaned the baby), you must bring the baby back to the corral, with the mom following RIGHT behind you and the baby. Never touch the butt, above the tail, or head of the baby, nor hold it too close to you, as the mom will reject it. Carry it only by its legs or under its chest; let the mom sniff it now and again. (Possibly every 5 to 15 feet.) Make sure she can see her baby or she won't come with you. You may have to hold the baby away from your body. If she absolutely won't come, go home and get someone to help you.

PETS
Many families do not have pets. They have dogs to herd sheep and cats to catch mice. The animals stay outside and are usually not petted or played with. This will distract them from their duties. Observe the relationship people have with the animals and ask it it's O.K.'d before petting them. As for your pets, usually they will be tolerated, but they are not necessarily welcome. If your pet is well-behaved and the family agrees to let it stay, then it is all right. It may turn out to be a good sheepherder! Never let any animals in the house! If your dog attacks any livestock, it will have to leave or it may risk being shot.