October Volunteer Hours: 634 | |  |
School Year to Date: 1648 | |
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As we round the halfway point of both fall quarter and Native American Heritage Month, there is much to reflect on. Our theme for fall quarter is civics, and our beginning ESOL students are starting with the basics. They have created weekly calendars for their mid-term project. It is a reminder of how small steps - in this case, of writing down one activity a day - still move you closer to your goal. Learning a new language - not to mention for many of our students a new system and culture - is a monumental undertaking! We feel so lucky to be able to partner with our students to take those small steps towards creating better futures for themselves, their family, and the community.
We are all on the journey of lifelong learning together, and as we continually reflect on what we can learn from each other, our students, and the wider community, we also take steps - both big and small - to become more inclusive and aware. We've recently had several new staff members join our team, and they bring with them a great deal of experience, insight, and vision. For example, our new AmeriCorps Vista, Alex Olsen, updated our Land Acknowledgement (our Land Acknowledgment is included at the close of all of our newsletters), and had this to say about it: "Notice that this new version reads Chief Si’ahl, instead of Chief Seattle. We choose to do this as this is how the Duwamish tribe chooses to spell his name. Here’s a great video on how to pronounce it and how we went from Si’ahl to Seattle."
We continue to take steps towards educating ourselves and sharing new perspectives, and we are thankful to have YOU as a partner in our journey of lifelong learning.
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With gratitude,
Liz Wurster
Communications Coordinator
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Hopi Indian Proverb, photo from Medium.Com | |
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Scorsese truly tried, but the reality is this is yet another film about Indigenous People,
in this case, the Osage, written and directed by white people and adapted a white man.
His attempts to reframe the story are admirable, but the creators of the film
can only center Osages so much, they themselves not being Osage.
~Jason Asenap, Vox.com
Storytelling is a powerful art. One of the elements that impact storytelling is perspective, and many folks believe that, especially for marginalized communities, only people from that community can truly capture their experience.
In his article "Killers of the Flower Moon and who gets to tell an Osage story", Jason Asenap, a Comanche and Muscogee writer and filmmaker, delves into this question, specifically with regards to Martin Scorsese's new film set in Oklahoma in the 1920s, about a series of murders of members of the Osage Tribe. Jason appreciates that Scorcese tried to make this film as accurately as possible by employing Osage people behind the scenes and consulting with them to ensure sensitivity. However, he is concerned that many moviegoers may only remember "a Martin Scorcese movie starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, and let the particulars of Osage genocide and generational pain fall from their minds." Considering the power and prevalence of storytelling in Native American communities and that Indigenous film and TV is thriving more now than ever before, "Why do we need another writer/director from outside of our communities to tell stories, yet again?"
Take Reservation Dogs, a coming-of-age comedy series that features all indigenous writers and directors. It just wrapped up it's third and final season and won a host of accolades. From sprinkling Native slang into the narrative to creating nuanced characters that authentically represent their community, "Harjo's project - a foulmouthed, art-house-inspired tribute to the endurance of Native communities, as well as an earnest call to insure their persistence—had no analogue on television" (Inkoo Kan, The New Yorker). This show has been on my watch list for some time, and I'm pretty sure it just launched to the top.
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Navigating the Zoom Time Limit | Online tutors may know it well: the Zoom session expiration warning message. Maybe you’ve ambitiously time-blocked the day’s lesson to help your student cross the finish line to complete their midterm or final project. Or perhaps the two of you are deeply immersed in reviewing a challenging phonics lesson. | |
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No matter the case, time has a tendency to slip away between all of the vowels, consonants, and vocabulary review – and a ticking countdown to the end of your session can leave little room for forgiveness. Of course, you also want to be mindful of minimizing distractions during your valuable time together.
Fortunately, Literacy Source tutors who rely on Zoom’s free Basic account to meet with their students have found a couple of ways to navigate the 40-minute time limit while keeping their sessions on track.
To read the full teaching tip, go here.
By: Leesy Latronica, AmeriCorps Instructional Support
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Join Us!
We're excited to offer our first in-person volunteer Literary Mixer since the pandemic!
Click on the above graphic (or here) for the full invitation experience.
Please join us on Thursday, Dec. 14th 6:30 – 8pm at Literacy Source.
Bring a favorite holiday read to recommend, enjoy a drink and snacks, and meet other volunteers!
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This month's theme is books by or celebrating Native Americans. Here are some suggestions from our staff meeting this week.
We'd also like to increase the books in our social justice library, and welcome the donation of any of these books to our collection!
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Little Women
Friday, Nov. 10 - Sunday, Dec. 17 (Seattle Repertory Theatre, $26-109)
Jo March isn’t concerned with what’s “ladylike.” Actually, she’s not sure she wants to be a lady at all. An aspiring writer, the headstrong Jo must negotiate with rigid societal norms to realize her dreams of independence. Against the backdrop of the Civil War, the beloved March siblings grow together and apart, discovering love, joy, and friendship as they learn the importance of family and being true to oneself. Kate Hamill's (Pride and Prejudice, 2017) fresh and lively adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel will bring the entire family together this holiday season.
Washington’s Leadership in the Global Climate Movement
Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30pm (Town Hall Seattle, $5-25 sliding scale)
Washington is leading the nation as a model for the transition to a climate-safe future. People, movements, and politicians across the state have been able to pass landmark policies that benefit local communities, as well as inspire other regions to follow suit. From Seattle’s commercial energy codes, to Whatcom County’s first-ever ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure, to the statewide Climate Commitment Act, Washington continues to set examples for how progressive climate policies can support a thriving region.
As we build on nationwide momentum to reduce carbon emissions, protect our environment, and build community resilience, let’s take stock of our successes and determine the most impactful and equitable pathways forward: Who is leading real climate progress in Washington, and how can we support them in climate action that leaves no one in our state behind?
Seattle Winterfest
Friday, Nov. 24 - Thursday, Dec. 21 (Seattle Center, FREE)
Connect to a world of sparkling lights, amusements and spirited entertainment at Seattle Center Winterfest, presented by Symetra, Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2023 happening in-person on our grounds. Throughout the five weeks of Winterfest, those in search of uplifting seasonal spirit or delightful diversion will find seasonal decor, our Winter Train & Village, weekend entertainment on the Armory Stage, and a New Year's Eve Celebration.
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Our next New Volunteer Orientation (via Zoom) will be on December 6 at either 1pm or 7pm.
Potential volunteers are invited to register online here.
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Fall Class Schedule
Interested in observing a class? Please contact Caroline
Term Calendar 2023-24
Thanksgiving Schedule: We will be open for classes 8:30am – 8pm on Weds. November 22nd. Please make sure your student knows they can attend class this day. Class Assistants, please let your instructor know if you are unable to be in class this day.
Snow Day Policy: Literacy Source follows the Seattle Public School open/closed hours on snow days. Please call the center on 206.782.2050 to hear a voicemail about that day's center closure.
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Miss any of our past volunteer newsletters? You can access archived newsletters at the bottom of the Volunteer Resources of our webpage. | | | | |
