The Energy Efficiency and Cultural Significance of Traditional Housing

Comparing the Navajo Nation and Pueblo of Acoma in an Effort to Reform Federal Indian Programs

Abstract

Federal Indian programs are intentioned to promote tribal self-determination, yet they paradoxically serve a vast quantity of cultures through singular blanket programs. One example of a generalizing program structure is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing. This program works to provide housing to tribal members of various parts of the country; however, the housing provided is generic, does not serve the cultural needs of the individual, and is not tailored to the specific environment as a traditional home would epistemologically be suited for. The Navajo Nation is a prime example of a culture whose traditional housing is intricately designed to suit the spiritual and physical needs of the people and which utilizes available resources for construction.