GUIDES: Dr. Leon Chartrand
CONTACT DR. LEON for ALL expedition questions BEFORE contacting Center for International Education. chartrandl@xavier.edu or 307-690-2994
ACTIVITIES: In order to preserve the uniqueness of this experience, to respect the Navajo people, and to minimize impacts to sacred places and stories, specific locations of hikes and activities will only be given to the finalized roster and will not be listed here. Students and participants will be expected to avoid tagging locations of activities on social media as well unless given permission by your Navajo guides. Also, we will respectfully not take pictures of people, animals, land or “property” without first receiving permission to do so.
We begin with three nights in the Grand Canyon after flying into Phoenix. From our lodge in Grand Canyon, we will adjust to altitude, explore the Grand Canyon and hike down into it. From there we will visit some historic sites on the Navajo Nation including a few nights stay in Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. While at these locations, we will meet our Navajo guides who teach us about the relationship between story and landscape, the relationship between land health and human health, and the communal and unifying role of ceremony. There will be abundant opportunities to see Ancestral Pueblo pictographsm petroglyphs, and dwellings. There will be opportunities to gaze at the Southwestern nightsky by fire. And there will be some opportunities for reflection, song, prayer, story and ceremony. While others are having a different kind of spring break, this expedition is one that defines spring in that the focus is on renewal—of perspective, of connection, of self.
The expedition concludes with a return to Phoenix for at least one full day of warmth in the sun.
FACULTY: Dr. Leon Chartrand
COURSES: 6 Credits
THEO 332 , Dr. Leon Chartrand, 3 Credits, CORE Theological Perspectives, ER/S, Gen Humanities Elective, Environmental Sci Elective, Peace Studies Elective, Free Elective
NURS 444, TBD, 3 Credits, Health Elective, Free Elective
PROGRAM FEE: $3,825 includes roundtrip airfare, all lodging, ground transportation, ceremonies, Navajo guided hikes/experiences, Grand Canyon National Park permit, Navajo Tribal Park permits, meals, snacks, beverages.
TUITION: Included within Spring Semester Course Load
DEPOSIT: Nonrefundable $400 deposit secures student’s spot. Deposit deducted from Program Fee.
LIMIT: Maximum 14 Students
VALUE: Attempting this program on one’s own would cost ~$5,440/person. For THIS expedition, a student’s total cost is $3,825 (Program Fee) + (tuition included in Spring Course load). That’s a 30% reduction in savings if you were to do this program by yourself. It also includes specific Navajo-led experiences that are not open to tourists and part of Xavier Expeditions’ long-standing reputation with this progam. For questions on payment plans, contact Xavier University’s Office of the Bursar. For questions on grants and scholarships, contact Xavier University’s Office of Financial Aid.
