Piestewa family to appear on "Extreme makeover:

[Blackbear]

Indianz.Com. In Print.
URL: http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/007568.asp


Piestewa family to appear on 'Extreme Makeover'
Tuesday, April 12, 2005

The family of Lori Piestewa, the Hopi woman killed in action in Iraq, will appear on the season finale of the ABC television show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

The Piestewas are the first Native American family to appear on the show. They were informed of their participation this morning.

"Lori was proud of her Hopi heritage and taught all those who knew her about the great riches of her culture. We knew that to ignore that culture in the show would be a great disservice to the Piestewa family and to Lori's memory," said show producer Andy Lipson

With the help of National Congress of American Indians, the program obtained financial support and sponsorship from the Hopi Tribe, the Navajo Nation and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from California. This is the first time tribes have assisted with the show.

"Our tribe strongly believes in the importance of community and helping our tribal brothers and sisters, and Extreme Makeover is all about building a better home and life for families in need," said Deron Marquez, the chairman of the San Manuel Band.

The Piestewas live in Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Their new home will be located in Flagstaff, off the reservation.

Construction of the new home began immediately as the family was sent on a vacation courtesy of the program. According to Shea Homes, a total of 1,300 people will be working around the clock in order to "reveal" the home on April 19.

The Piestewa finale will air on May 22. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" airs every Sunday at 8pm EST.

Relevant Links:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome

[kamikaze_yazzie]

wow thats awesome.. i love this show. It always makes me cry.

[bahnisiain]

i love the show - about time they had a native family on that show!

[wyo_rose]

That's great. I love this show too.

And I want to be next!! Not that we're a deserving family, it's just we live in a shythole!

[AngelFeather]

Thats So awesome!!! Good fer them!!

I live extreme Makeover... I cry almost everytime i watch it.
The best one yet fer me so far was the family with both parents Dumb and mute with the blind child ... and the older brother who isnt handicapped who took care of them all.. OMG i was in tears fer both shows.

Shows like that remind me that there IS still good in the world that there are STILL people out there with big hearts that think of others first.

I can wait to watch it!!!

[ndnwmn21]

I think this is great! I can't wait to see it when it airs. I always watch. This show, shows that there is still kindness, compassion, and caring people in this cruel world. I love this show.

[chazziff]

this show is the beast!! and the Piestewa family really really deserve this...as do all the other families on the show..

[kiyaanii mom]

Awesome! I heard they did excavation this morning. I wish I could be there when they unveil the house to the Piestewas. That would be cool.

[injunboy]

very nice!!

[LiLT206]

Awesome

[thizgirlpowwows]

That's great. I love this show too.

And I want to be next!! Not that we're a deserving family, it's just we live in a shythole!

[siouxper_lady]

Yippee to the Piestewa family and two thumbs way, way up to the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" show!!! I love that show too and can't wait to see what all they give this family. I wrote to them several times about finding a native family... ABC's Wife Swap" is still looking for a native family! Aye! Now That would be a gas to see!

[**First Lady**]

It's gonna be a goot one!!

This is very kewl! I'm with all y'all other emotional peeps! lol This show can make me cry that's fer shurrr!

My cousin and I wanted to get together and write in for a special family we know...never did though.

The Piestewa Family is very deserving! Congrats to them!

[**jdazmum**]

The kids deserve it. They are so lucky too. Imagine a 5,000 sq foot home? wow! I also heard they are building a vet center too in Tuba City, AZ.

[dancnbrd]

I love this show...or should I say TY!!! I never miss an episode and can't wait to see this one!! What a deserving family and about time they pick a native one!!