Peggy Adams appointed liaison from Winslow to Hopi Tribe

In another effort to reach out to neighboring Native American tribes, the city of Winslow created two more tribal liaison positions to represent the Hopi people on the mesas and in Winslow.

Ms. Peggy Adams of the Bear Clan from the village of Sipaulovi, who now lives in Winslow, will be the Winslow representative to the Hopi tribe. Her cousin, Bonnie Secacuku lives on the mesas and will be representing the Hopi to Winslow. The two women will work together to coordinate information between the Hopi tribe and city of Winslow.

"I grew up on the reservation and in Winslow," Adams said. "I am affiliated with religious ceremonies; being the kachina mother for the Home Dances in August."

Adams has a foot in both worlds since her family believed in the importance of education. She attended Winslow High School until she left for Berkeley, Calif. to finish her senior year.

"That school was twenty times larger that Winslow High and going at a much faster pace," she said.

While finishing school in Berkeley, Adams worked at a Hindu Boutique and lived with her brother Hartman Lomawaima, a professor of American Indian Studies now with the University of Arizona and director of the Arizona State Museum in Tucson, Ariz.

Adams said her family has been explorative towards education and being more involved off the reservation. Her grandfather was a railroad mechanic in Winslow who worked with KINO Radio for years broadcasting a Hopi segment, and later open a curio shop where the "Big Indian" was on the east end of town. Also, Adams' mother was a BIA teacher in Dilkon for 30 years.

Adams herself tried many subjects in college before settling into a position as a clerk with the Department of Economic Security and Child Protective Services in the late 80s.

During that time she said she volunteered with the Winslow Alliance that lobbied the state to get funding for infrastructure improvements in Winslow. She was also involved in Block Watch, formed the Hopi Tewasinom Club and was stage manager for Summer Struck for 10 years.

"The Hopis in town have been urbanized because they settled here to become educated," Adams said. "We are trying to open up that communication gap with the traditionalists on the reservation."

This bridging of the intergovernmental communication gap is part of her motivation as to wanting to have this position with the City. It is also to help the Hopi on the reservation and in Winslow, she said. She said she did not have any particular agenda on any issues and that she is just here to be the messenger between Winslow and the Hopi.

Just recently, Adams spent time on the mesas to help with and anticipate the election of a new Hopi Tribal Chairman. This was a contentious issue for the Hopi, but Adams said she looks forward to a future of more economic and educational opportunities for the Hopi people.

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read