Conversations at the Gila River Arts Center

a) Argumentative Thesis
A major symbol in the poem is the basket weaving because this tradition is an important skill that is being passed down from generation to genration.

b) Death/Rebirth
The theme of death and rebirth is illustrated most vividly in "Conversations at the Gila River Arts Center" with the importance of prayers to the Hohokamki people. The people "cast [their] prayers seven generations ahead" in hopes that their decendants may be prosperous, which is a way to take care of them even after they are dead.(Tapahonso 26) The literal death of ancestors is mirrored by their rebirth in the form of the new generations who choose to keep old traditions alive and continue to cast their prayers for the generations that will follow in hopes for prosperity for their children as well.

c) Summary
A medicine man starts off by telling a story to his friend over breakfast about a gentleman whom he was talking to about the sacred mountain south of Phoenix. The gentleman wants to climb it because he hears that it is dangerous, but is warned not to by the medicine man. The gentleman climbs it, but comes back to a café a couple days later in crouches. As breakfast comes the medicine mans friend talks about how Indian stories told to one another demonstrate the same tradition and beliefs, even if the stories are told differently. The medicine man’s daughter walks in with a group of women who are willing to learn the traditional ways of basket weaving and shows them how and when the grass for the baskets should be harvested. The medicine mans friend walks out and drives to a nearby store which is selling traditional tamales, frybread, jewelry, and beadwork and mingles with the merchants. After mingling for awhile he drives back to Phoenix and passes an excavated area where the Hohokamki village used to stand. Sitting there for awhile he comes to a conclusion that the stories that Indians share will always be passed down from generation to generation and will never be forgotten.