October 1, 2025 • 11 mins
St. Bonaventure Indian Mission & School: “A Legacy of Hope”
Episode 1: “A Legacy of Hope” introduces Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission and School in Thoreau, New Mexico, as a vital source of support for the Navajo (Diné) community. Founded in the 1970s, the mission started with a single classroom and church and has since expanded into a beacon of light across the eastern Navajo Nation.
This episode sets the tone for a mission deeply rooted in faith, education, and cultural respect. These efforts are spearheaded by dedicated staff, such as Chris Halter, the mission’s Executive Director, and symbolized by individuals like Darlene Arviso, known as the “water lady,” who delivers not only necessities but also dignity and hope across the Eastern Navajo Nation.
www.stbonaventuremission.org
Episode 1: “A Legacy of Hope” introduces Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission and School in Thoreau, New Mexico, as a vital source of support for the Navajo (Diné) community. Founded in the 1970s, the mission started with a single classroom and church and has since expanded into a beacon of light across the eastern Navajo Nation.
This episode sets the tone for a mission deeply rooted in faith, education, and cultural respect. These efforts are spearheaded by dedicated staff, such as Chris Halter, the mission’s Executive Director, and symbolized by individuals like Darlene Arviso, known as the “water lady,” who delivers not only necessities but also dignity and hope across the Eastern Navajo Nation.
www.stbonaventuremission.org
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
In this episode, we take you on a journey with
Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School, an unwavering pillar for
the Navajo people, walking with them in faith, dignity, humanity,
and hope. This long road is not just a promise,
but a lifeline, supporting vital needs such as education, water,
and housing, while standing firm and committed against the heavy
(00:39):
burdens of daily life. Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School
a legacy of hope. Morning sun breaks over the messas
of the Roue, a small town in the state of
New Mexico, on this part of the Eastern Navajo Reservation.
A school bus rides on small roads along these beautiful
(01:02):
red rock cliffs.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I have the most kids on this on this here
takes me on our hat.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
As they arrive, school staffers warmly welcome these young students.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Kids.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Morning, children and adults gather for a morning prayer and
the pledge of allegiance in the Navajo language. But beyond
(01:41):
the hectic morning, like any other in America, there is
a sound purpose here.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Sold ties into the economy. Lesson the math, lessons. Okay,
everything that we've been doing, all right, you can do
a lot. You guys can learn a lot and make
a lot of money. Okay, Knowledge is.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Power, right, knowledge power and to PROMI if you can.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Change the life of young people, then you can start
to change the community to have a better, brighter future.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
The fence stop.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
This is how the day begins. In its quiet and
high desert, small community in the mountains. At the heart
of this beautiful place, it's Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in
school for many. This mission is a lifeline for thousands
of Navajo DNA families spreading across these vast and rugged lands.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Very strongly, I believe that these people are worthy and
deserving of an opportunity a better future. And because of
the goodness of you as donors, you're able to help
us to help them take that next step.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
In these reservations. Access to basic necessities is that very
first step.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
My name is starting our viso. I'm the water truck
lady and we're going out to Baka to deliver water
in this in this snow way weather.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Darlene or Viso symbolizes the missions commitment and drives hope
straight to the doorsteps of many people for themselves, their
livestock and other animals.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Ye so Navajo Nation is not able to provide that water,
the federal government is not able to ride that water,
and so Saint Bonaventure has seen it as a necessity
over the last forty years to provide as much water
as possible.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
But the mission's outreach goes beyond providing water and education.
Well do you have it?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What's the right for now?
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Exact to do the site reels, It'll be good to go,
free home repairs and vocational hands on training.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
I wanted to do something new, learned something new, and
always wanted to do a job like this with helping others.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Food and clothing.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
We give them everything that we have for the pizza family, beings,
whatever each reach, vegetables or whatever.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
We have affordable housing to many low income Native families
as well as those serving the mission.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
The housing is a huge, huge benefit and huge support.
Just being able to live in close proximity to the school.
It makes it easier for me to care for the
students and the community as a whole, and.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Many chances to unwind and stay fit and healthy through
the school program, Learn a lot, learn the truck good.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
The kids really enjoy track and feel they do very well,
especially our throwers we're.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Gonna win.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Or through unique opportunities provided to the local community, including
Vital Fitness Center.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
It's my therapy, my mean time.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
It keeps me healthy, keeps me grounded, and everybody here
is so supportive and so nice.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It's convenient, and it's just probably my favorite place to
be other than home. And when grief descends. Saint Bonaventure
Indian Mission helps carry those heavy burdens.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
Funeral arrangements are it's a lot of work, it takes
a toll in your time. It's a lot of financial
burden against the you know, upon a family, and Saint Bondaventure,
without you know, asking questions or without you know, turning
(05:56):
their heads, you know, they were open arms to us.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
They helped the Gibson family, like many Native Americans across
the Navajo Nations, fighting for equality and betterment of their lives. However,
underprivileged communities in the United States of America face deep
social and economic challenges. In these lands, the images tell
the story, but despite their deeply rooted resilience, the Navajo
(06:20):
people need vital support, both spiritual and practical. With that
mission in mind, Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in school began
in the nineteen seventies.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
It started off basically from a Catholic priest who saw
a need for kids to learn how to read and write,
and so it was a very small process of just
getting three or four kids together and helping them in
reading and writing.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
The mission's history handbook says the Diocese of Gallop, almost
thirty miles from Thurroux, blessed the move of jump starting
a religious educational for the diocese, one parishioner at a time.
With deep commitment and some modest means and support, Saint
Bonaventure Indian Mission in School was born. It all started
with one small church and a classroom. Today there are
(07:14):
many churches across the lands and many more classrooms. I'll
give you.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Seven minutes they're excited for their religion. Lesson if they're
all so excited about the sacraments that they get to experience.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Lifelong experiences starting on these grounds, one child at a time,
inside these classrooms, classrooms with common themes and a school
curriculum deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
If they go into becoming fully initiated into the Catholic faith,
that's an additional blessing for us too.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
While the mission has evolved in many ways for the
past that's fifty years, Saint Bonaventure remains a beacon of
hope not only in through but across a complex network
of federal, state, private, and tribal lands in New Mexico.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I'm always telling our students, I need to see you
guys flourish and to succeed so that they can replace us,
because we're not always going to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Despite these opportunities, deep inside their reservations, many Navajo families
still lack basic necessities clean water, electricity, education, housing, and
so on, and the fight goes on.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
When I was given the opportunity to work at Saint Bonaventure,
I remember driving from Seattle to through New Mexico.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
And.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
I was amazed at how remote it actually was. And
then once I got to the mission and kind of
looking out the back door of my house, I realized
that I am living in third world conditions in the
(09:17):
most wealthy country in the world. And that's what drives me,
that's what gets me up every morning, is to say
that this should not be happening.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
And this long road is deeply rooted in supporting their
vital necessities for education, water, housing, among other daily burdens.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Your support for the Navajo people.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Is about.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Allowing people to live with dignity and to have an
opportunity for a brighter and better future.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Christopher Halter is Saint Bonaventure Indian Missions Executive Director. Since
two thousand and six, mister Halter has been spearheading the
Mission's efforts for a brighter and better tomorrow for this
eastern part of the Navajo Nation, otherwise known as Deney
Bikeya or simply Land of the People. While the Navajo
(10:15):
land spreads across the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah,
Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School is focused on helping
poverty stricken in through and around the surrounding communities.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
On good onyx good what is this one here?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Please visit St. Bonaventuremission dot org and donate today. Thank you,
In this episode, we take you on a journey with
Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School, an unwavering pillar for
the Navajo people, walking with them in faith, dignity, humanity,
and hope. This long road is not just a promise,
but a lifeline, supporting vital needs such as education, water,
and housing, while standing firm and committed against the heavy
(00:39):
burdens of daily life. Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School
a legacy of hope. Morning sun breaks over the messas
of the Roue, a small town in the state of
New Mexico, on this part of the Eastern Navajo Reservation.
A school bus rides on small roads along these beautiful
(01:02):
red rock cliffs.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I have the most kids on this on this here
takes me on our hat.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
As they arrive, school staffers warmly welcome these young students.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Kids.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Morning, children and adults gather for a morning prayer and
the pledge of allegiance in the Navajo language. But beyond
(01:41):
the hectic morning, like any other in America, there is
a sound purpose here.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Sold ties into the economy. Lesson the math, lessons. Okay,
everything that we've been doing, all right, you can do
a lot. You guys can learn a lot and make
a lot of money. Okay, Knowledge is.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Power, right, knowledge power and to PROMI if you can.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Change the life of young people, then you can start
to change the community to have a better, brighter future.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
The fence stop.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
This is how the day begins. In its quiet and
high desert, small community in the mountains. At the heart
of this beautiful place, it's Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in
school for many. This mission is a lifeline for thousands
of Navajo DNA families spreading across these vast and rugged lands.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Very strongly, I believe that these people are worthy and
deserving of an opportunity a better future. And because of
the goodness of you as donors, you're able to help
us to help them take that next step.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
In these reservations. Access to basic necessities is that very
first step.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
My name is starting our viso. I'm the water truck
lady and we're going out to Baka to deliver water
in this in this snow way weather.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Darlene or Viso symbolizes the missions commitment and drives hope
straight to the doorsteps of many people for themselves, their
livestock and other animals.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Ye so Navajo Nation is not able to provide that water,
the federal government is not able to ride that water,
and so Saint Bonaventure has seen it as a necessity
over the last forty years to provide as much water
as possible.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
But the mission's outreach goes beyond providing water and education.
Well do you have it?
Speaker 2 (03:50):
What's the right for now?
Speaker 1 (03:53):
Exact to do the site reels, It'll be good to go,
free home repairs and vocational hands on training.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
I wanted to do something new, learned something new, and
always wanted to do a job like this with helping others.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Food and clothing.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
We give them everything that we have for the pizza family, beings,
whatever each reach, vegetables or whatever.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
We have affordable housing to many low income Native families
as well as those serving the mission.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
The housing is a huge, huge benefit and huge support.
Just being able to live in close proximity to the school.
It makes it easier for me to care for the
students and the community as a whole, and.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
Many chances to unwind and stay fit and healthy through
the school program, Learn a lot, learn the truck good.
Speaker 6 (05:01):
The kids really enjoy track and feel they do very well,
especially our throwers we're.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Gonna win.
Speaker 1 (05:11):
Or through unique opportunities provided to the local community, including
Vital Fitness Center.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
It's my therapy, my mean time.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
It keeps me healthy, keeps me grounded, and everybody here
is so supportive and so nice.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
It's convenient, and it's just probably my favorite place to
be other than home. And when grief descends. Saint Bonaventure
Indian Mission helps carry those heavy burdens.
Speaker 6 (05:35):
Funeral arrangements are it's a lot of work, it takes
a toll in your time. It's a lot of financial
burden against the you know, upon a family, and Saint Bondaventure,
without you know, asking questions or without you know, turning
(05:56):
their heads, you know, they were open arms to us.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
They helped the Gibson family, like many Native Americans across
the Navajo Nations, fighting for equality and betterment of their lives. However,
underprivileged communities in the United States of America face deep
social and economic challenges. In these lands, the images tell
the story, but despite their deeply rooted resilience, the Navajo
(06:20):
people need vital support, both spiritual and practical. With that
mission in mind, Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in school began
in the nineteen seventies.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
It started off basically from a Catholic priest who saw
a need for kids to learn how to read and write,
and so it was a very small process of just
getting three or four kids together and helping them in
reading and writing.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
The mission's history handbook says the Diocese of Gallop, almost
thirty miles from Thurroux, blessed the move of jump starting
a religious educational for the diocese, one parishioner at a time.
With deep commitment and some modest means and support, Saint
Bonaventure Indian Mission in School was born. It all started
with one small church and a classroom. Today there are
(07:14):
many churches across the lands and many more classrooms. I'll
give you.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Seven minutes they're excited for their religion. Lesson if they're
all so excited about the sacraments that they get to experience.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
Lifelong experiences starting on these grounds, one child at a time,
inside these classrooms, classrooms with common themes and a school
curriculum deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.
Speaker 5 (07:47):
If they go into becoming fully initiated into the Catholic faith,
that's an additional blessing for us too.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
While the mission has evolved in many ways for the
past that's fifty years, Saint Bonaventure remains a beacon of
hope not only in through but across a complex network
of federal, state, private, and tribal lands in New Mexico.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I'm always telling our students, I need to see you
guys flourish and to succeed so that they can replace us,
because we're not always going to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Despite these opportunities, deep inside their reservations, many Navajo families
still lack basic necessities clean water, electricity, education, housing, and
so on, and the fight goes on.
Speaker 2 (08:39):
When I was given the opportunity to work at Saint Bonaventure,
I remember driving from Seattle to through New Mexico.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
And.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
I was amazed at how remote it actually was. And
then once I got to the mission and kind of
looking out the back door of my house, I realized
that I am living in third world conditions in the
(09:17):
most wealthy country in the world. And that's what drives me,
that's what gets me up every morning, is to say
that this should not be happening.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
And this long road is deeply rooted in supporting their
vital necessities for education, water, housing, among other daily burdens.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Your support for the Navajo people.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Is about.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
Allowing people to live with dignity and to have an
opportunity for a brighter and better future.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Christopher Halter is Saint Bonaventure Indian Missions Executive Director. Since
two thousand and six, mister Halter has been spearheading the
Mission's efforts for a brighter and better tomorrow for this
eastern part of the Navajo Nation, otherwise known as Deney
Bikeya or simply Land of the People. While the Navajo
(10:15):
land spreads across the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah,
Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in School is focused on helping
poverty stricken in through and around the surrounding communities.
Speaker 4 (10:27):
On good onyx good what is this one here?
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Please visit St. Bonaventuremission dot org and donate today. Thank you,
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