Traditional hogan blessing and open house at facility in Blanding

A newly constructed hogan was dedicated to healing, nuturing, and protection at the Canyonlands Youth Center in Blanding.
The dedication and an open house took place at the facility on July 10.
Changes to Utah law enabled the Division of  Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) to extend their reach, supporting more youth within communities and helping them avoid deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system. A key component of the initiative is the JJYS Youth Services program, which emphasizes early intervention and community connection.
A shining example of this commitment is the newly constructed hogan at the Canyonlands Youth Center.
JJYS, in collaboration with the Utah State Board of Education’s Youth in Custody (YIC) program, San Juan School District, Tribal Peacemaking Program, and Navajo Nation Tribal Leadership, hosted the hogan blessing and open house.
The hogan, a sacred home for the Diné (Navajo) people, holds profound cultural significance. Traditionally oriented to face the east, welcoming the morning sun, the hogan serves as a venue for ceremonies and maintaining religious balance.
The Canyonlands Youth Center hogan is a female hogan, distinguished by its womb-like shape, symbolizing healing, nurturing, and protection.
While framed houses have become more common among the Diné today, the cultural importance of the hogan endures. These structures are primarily used for ceremonial purposes.
The Tribal Peacemaking Program, for instance, conducts ceremonies in the hogan, fostering reconciliation and addressing family issues through traditional Navajo teachings and beliefs.
Funded by the Utah State Board of Education, the hogan was constructed using a stripped cedar post frame covered in dirt, honoring traditional methods.
Strategically located at the southwest corner of the property, the hogan is easily accessible to the community without requiring entry into the main facility.
Keys will be entrusted to the local Peacemaker, the district’s heritage program, and certified traditional therapists for the Diné.
The hogan will also be available to any community families wishing to use it for ceremonies.
This initiative underscores the importance of connecting youth to their cultural roots and communities, fostering a sense of belonging and support that is crucial in steering them away from the juvenile justice system.
Officils state that the hogan at the Canyonlands Youth Center stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of community and cultural connection in the lives of young people.
Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS) works to support youth in their communities, providing early intervention services to help them avoid further involvement in the juvenile justice system.
The Utah State Board of Education YIC program focuses on providing educational opportunities for youth in child welfare or juvenile justice custody, and for those at risk of entering these systems- ensuring they receive the support needed to succeed.
The Tribal Peacemaking program uses traditional teachings and beliefs of the Diné to help youth and families resolve conflicts and heal.