Native Spirit
Ken Gordon, Exec Director of Potlatch Fund, is a hero. What is a hero? I'm seeing that a hero is well rounded. After spending two days with this man at his grant writing training I am appreciating his knowledge, emotional intelligence, humor and healthy boundaries. (He talked openly and clearly about his computer system stopping anyone from viewing pornography ... knowing that "boys will be boys.") This man with the New Zealand accent and Moiri association is making a profound and positive impact in Indian Country in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon.
I learned so much about grant writing, made good connections and have new awareness regarding next steps for Circle of Life project. I am steering toward the Elders Program within United Indians of All Tribes. The grant will probably focus on education and culture via storytelling on radio and maybe CD if that is an interest of participants. I will do a "needs assessment" with the Elders Program Director. Another elder shared with me her interest in a native heritage library. What are the possibilities? The vision expands. Thanks to Obama I have additional weeks to let this unfold...and to begin grounding vision into action. For the record I continue to do my unemployment job searches!
Potlatch has a mini grant of $500 for those who attended the training. Ken said that few people take advantage of this offer. I will be writing this grant for some need at UIATF.
As I was driving home from Portland and after crossing the mighty Columbia River I connected with the trees expressing autumn. Tears crested without any thoughts. My heart must bypass my conscious mind at these times of connection and go straight to my subconscious. I am so in love with this land. What is a word for this love affair? Humans bypass this relationship and end up starved for deep nourishment. This relationship makes me Native! What is another word that encircles unity rather than diversity? We need new language.
Native is the heart of emotional connection. It's the song of place where spirit and matter merge. It is so very sacred and holy...and gives life meaning.
I learned so much about grant writing, made good connections and have new awareness regarding next steps for Circle of Life project. I am steering toward the Elders Program within United Indians of All Tribes. The grant will probably focus on education and culture via storytelling on radio and maybe CD if that is an interest of participants. I will do a "needs assessment" with the Elders Program Director. Another elder shared with me her interest in a native heritage library. What are the possibilities? The vision expands. Thanks to Obama I have additional weeks to let this unfold...and to begin grounding vision into action. For the record I continue to do my unemployment job searches!
Potlatch has a mini grant of $500 for those who attended the training. Ken said that few people take advantage of this offer. I will be writing this grant for some need at UIATF.
As I was driving home from Portland and after crossing the mighty Columbia River I connected with the trees expressing autumn. Tears crested without any thoughts. My heart must bypass my conscious mind at these times of connection and go straight to my subconscious. I am so in love with this land. What is a word for this love affair? Humans bypass this relationship and end up starved for deep nourishment. This relationship makes me Native! What is another word that encircles unity rather than diversity? We need new language.
Native is the heart of emotional connection. It's the song of place where spirit and matter merge. It is so very sacred and holy...and gives life meaning.
posted by Community Threads @ 10:41 AM
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