Beverly Malone has been selected as the 2021 First Things First White Mountain Apache Tribe Champion for Young Children.<\/p>\n
The award is given to local champions who actively volunteer their time to raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and health. Champions spend a significant amount of time volunteering with FTF and building public awareness about the importance of early childhood issues.<\/p>\n
Malone has been an active participant in the Chagha\u0328\u0301she\u0301 Ndee Biya\u0301ti\u0301 work group since its inception in June 2019. She has offered ideas to provide and encourage the children birth to age 5 to read and learn the Apache language through children\u2019s books specific to the White Mountain Apache Tribe. She also assisted in completing the books by sharing what Nohwike’ B\u00e1gowa, the White Mountain Apache Cultural Center and Museum, has in archives.<\/p>\n
Malone assisted with the translation of handwashing steps from English to the White Mountain Apache language for a coloring page poster created by the Quality First Child Care Health Consultation grant partner \u2014 Navajo County Public Health Services District. The poster has been shared with Quality First centers on the White Mountain Apache Tribe, including the Alchesay Beginnings Child Development Center, Chaghache Child Care Center, Dishchii\u2019bikoh Preschool and White Mountain Apache Tribe Head Start.<\/p>\n
Malone also assisted with translation from English to the White Mountain Apache language of a children\u2019s book titled \u201cFarm Animals\u201d by Brian Wildsmith.<\/p>\n
We recently caught up with Malone, who recently retired from Nohwike’ B\u00e1gowa, after working for 31 years as the Collections Manager and Language Specialist.<\/p>\n
Question: Why do you feel early childhood development and health is important? For the Apache people, there is a lot of learning that I see the children need with Apache names, numbers, colors, traditions, food, plants and animals. We need to reinforce this type of education for young children. I have a great grandson who is a year and a half. I want him to learn at least one Apache word. When I see him I ask him, \u201cWhere have you been? Haayu nadaa?\u201d and he looks at me like I\u2019m speaking strange.<\/p>\n With my next newborn great grandchild, I want to teach him or her the Apache language and have them recognize my voice. I will talk Apache to the child. First Things First is great for the school system like Head Start, child care and kindergarten to work with early childhood professionals about the Apache language and Apache ways of life.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Answer<\/strong>: I have a family of five children, 16 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren with two more on the way this year. First Things First is a doorway for infants and children to learn about their environment and prepare for their schooling.<\/p>\n