Cedar Project’ to keep the cultural integrity BY NICHOLAS HOUSE NAVAJO TIMES
TÓ LIZHIN, N.M. –
In the heart of Salt Lake City, Stephanie L. Benally embarked on a mission that changes the lives of many Native American foster children. In 2020, she launched the Cedar Project, a program that provides cultural resources to Native American children in foster care in Utah.
Benally, the Native American specialist for Utah Foster Care saw a pressing need to support Native American children who were often placed outside their communities.
Benally is Deeshchii’nii and born for Tódich’fi’nii. Her maternal grandfather is Naakaii Dine’é and her paternal grandfather is Kintichíi’nii. She is from Salt Lake City, her father is from Church Rock, New Mexico, and her mother is from Bitter Springs, Arizona.
The Cedar Project was created out of Benally’s dedication to providing cultural resources to these children. She believed that maintaining a connection to their heritage was crucial for their well-being. Over the years, the project grew, offering a variety of resources such as language DVDs, books, and cultural items like jewelry, regalia, and moccasins. The project has also provided ceremonial classes and elder guidance. This project is funded through private donations and community aid.
“There was a Native youth, that wanted to try out for a pageant and needed everything: regalia, outfit, ribbon skirt, moccasins, jewelry. We were able to provide those items for her. She went on to compete, and she won that title,” Benally
