Now Playing: highway blues
speakin outThe 1990s ushered in a renewed mainstream awareness of diversity and multiculturalism. Children who were not represented in mainstream culture began to appear in stories, telling their own stories with their own voice. As Joesph Bruchac (Abenaki) said, "People are often powerless, alone, afraid; this is because someone else is telling their story for them: 'You are stupid. You are ugly. You are undesirable. You are useless'. Through storytelling, you recognize your real story."
With an ever-growing body of children's literature, thoughtfulness as to ethnic and tribal accuracy, authenticity and sensitivity becomes a requisite when reading these stories. It becomes the responsibility of the reader to check, scrutinize and question the integrity of stories as well as that of the authers who are credited with writing them. Children, wo are the intended readers, can also learn to assume this critical eye for identifying authentic voice, cultural sensitivity and accuracy.
In this course we will explore issues (anti-Indian bias, racism, stereotypes, cultural appropriation) relevant to the selection and critique within Native American children's literature. You will have the opportunity to critique children's books, dialogue with others, explore differing perspectives, relate your own family stories, listen to invited guests, get out and about in our community, maintain a webpage of your reflections and class productivity. We will have an opportunity to put our experiences into perspective when we participate in SJC Kids Kollege during the week of June 25-29 Native American Children's Story Hour (ages 6-8 from 3-5pm & ages 9-11 from 1-3pm) listening and sharing stories with children.
All in all, this summer course is an opportunity to relax, with people to see, places to go and things to do!
Our first class session will include a visit to the Museum Gallery at Downtown Centre (100 W. Broadway-old library) exhibit of "Photographing Navajos: John Collier, Jr. on the Reservation, 1948-1953."
Looking forward to our time together.................Frances
