Dine Bureau
TSAILE, Ariz. - Dr. Dukepoo's goal is to magically Inspire young Indian minds.The college professor believes answers toward achieving that goal is in a yellow suitcase. It contains papers that quickly disappear when fit to show students they can make problems vanish, crumbling large alphabetical letters like "Fs" to form "As" demonstrating students can get "As" and how problem knots can be unraveled if the desire is there.He calls his show, "Mind, magic and motivation.""Our program provides an instrument so that kids can develop socially, spiritually and mentally," said Dukepoo, president of the National Native American Honors Society. "It's also a place to develop leadership among Indian youth."In 1981, the idea to form the honors society jolted the Hopi professor awake at 4 am. He switched the bed side lamp on thinking 4 a.m. is "a good Indian number.""Something in my head said, 'kids, happiness, achievement, pride,"' Dukepoo recalled.The next eight years, he experimented with magically inspiring young children to become academic achievers.
Simple exercises involving cultural aspects of a tribe motivates young minds, he said.Last week at Tsaile Elementary School, students challenged each other in a procrastination exercise using beans and frybread as mascots."How many of you say, ‘I'll do it tomorrow?'" he asked as several hands shot up. "Whenever you have a job to do, you do it until the job is done. Remember the three words, 'do it now!'" Each team stood up, directly pointed at the other team and ordered, "Do it now Beans!" The bean team out screamed the frybread team.Under his direction, the National Native American Honors Society has grown from 300 student membership to 700 over two years. Students are required to carry a 4.0 grade point average or have perfect attendance. At least 75 schools throughout in the four corners region participate.Last year, more than 50 students traveled to Flagstaff from the Chinle School District to attend a banquet for their effort in acquiring straightHis goal is to incorporate leadership training in his program.