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Writer's pictureCultures Connecting

Newsletter: November 2024 Issue 1

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November is Native American Heritage Month


November is Native American Heritage Month which originated in 1915 and was established in 1990 to recognize the significant contributions of Indigenous peoples. We provided resources in last year's newsletter, which you can read about on our blog here including it's origins and significant moments in history. Also, be sure to check out our events list at the end of this newsletter for ways you can engage this month.


For teachers, the Zinn Education Project has some great resources including lessons on Native American heritage and climate change, videos, and a K-12 reading list, which you can view here.


In recognition of this month, we're featuring a Native American member of our community, Cynthia Masterson who is a teaching bead artist and owner of BlueDot Beadwork, on our blog.


Headshot of Cynthia Masterson with illustrated beads.

In our interview, Cynthia talks about her heritage, which stems from her deep roots in the Comanche tribe of Oklahoma as a descendent of Chief Quanah Parker. She began beading using the 3-drop gourd weaving technique to connect to her heritage and eventually started teaching beading classes to Native American organizations. Cynthia now teaches culturally appropriate beading workshops to companies and schools to spark creativity, as well as runs the non-profit project The Little Bead Library. Read all about her on our blog article at the link below!



 

Transforming White Women's Leadership Workshop on November 8th

Workshop graphic with headshots of Ilsa Govan and Tilman Smith.

November 8th, 9:00-12:00pm PT / 12:00-1:00pm ET on Zoom


There are only 7 days left before our workshop, Transforming White Women's Leadership! Facilitated by Ilsa Govan and Tilman Smith, this workshop will support participants in deepening their awareness of institutional power, privilege, and stereotypes that white women leaders both hold and perpetuate. Participants will be supported in becoming more compassionate anti-racist managers and supervisors.



 

"Invisible Crimes and Punitive Politics" by Dr. J.P. Anderson

Images of first 2 pages of journal article with title

Dr. J.P. Anderson, our Racial Equity Consultant, recently published his article "Invisible Crimes and Punitive Politics" in the Law & Policy journal. The paper explores how "invisible crimes"—offenses that are hidden and morally unclear—are linked to unfair treatment by the justice system. Through case studies, Dr. Anderson shows how criminalizing these behaviors leads to social discrimination and weakens the rule of law.


To download and read the full article, including the case studies in PDF format, visit the link below!



 

Dr. Caprice Hollins is awarded at the IFPE Annual Interdisciplinary Conference


Picture of Samoan Barish and Dr. Caprice Hollins with award.

On Saturday, October 19th, our co-Founder Dr. Caprice Hollins received an award for “Distinguished Contribution to Psychoanalytic Education” from the International Forum for Psychoanalytical Education during their 34th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Friends, Enemies, Allies, Suspects.” Dr. Hollins also facilitated a plenary session on the Framework for Social Justice, one of our foundational workshops, during the conference. Pictured are Samoan Barish (left), Awards Chair, with Dr. Hollins.




 

The Four Pivots with Dr. Shawn Ginwright


Our co-founder Ilsa Govan learned about this KICKS conference keynote address by Dr. Shawn Ginright about "the fours pivots" from her doctorate program, Leadership for Learning at University of Washington, and shared it with our team. We appreciated Dr. Ginwright's approach to DEIBelonging work and how it aligned with our own approach. Both Dr. Caprice Hollins and Richard Kim from our team have read Dr. Ginwright's book, The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice Reimagining Ourselves and recommend it.


Watch the keynote below to learn about the four pivots to help us be better and more effective social justice stewards.



 

calendar with colorful numbers with Diversity Calendar Dates in title

It's a new month which means taking a look at our Diversity Calendar to look at significant dates to consider when planning meetings or events to create greater inclusion. Click on the name of the day to learn more.



 

calendar on colored background

Upcoming DEIB/Social Justice Events


For details on these and other events, workshops and conferences happening in the social justice space, visit our Events Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to share, please reach out to us!


  • 11/01: Facilitating DEI Discussions: Essential Skills for Constructive Conversations

  • 11/01: Centering Equity in Management: Aligning Vision with Practices that Foster Equity

  • 11/02: Native Knowledge 360° Teach-In

  • 11/02: Aware LA: First Saturday Dialogue

  • 11/04: 2024 Bridge Conference: Moments to Movements

  • 11/05: Antiracist Development Group

  • 11/05: NAMI BIPOC Support Group

  • 11/06: Adaptive Leadership for Racial Equity Institute

  • 11/07: NAMI LGBTQ+ Support Group

  • 11/08: Community Connections

  • 11/08: Transforming White Women's Leadership*

  • 11/09: Foundations of Accessibility, Connection, & Dignity

  • 11/09: Promised Land documentary screening

  • 11/11: Transformational Conversations with Debby Irving

  • 11/12: Antiracist Development Group

  • 11/13: Equity Consortium Listening Circle: A New Normal Emerges

  • 11/13: Cross-Class Dialogue Circles

  • 11/14: Conservative Cross-State Organizing: Lessons for Progressive Power-Building

  • 11/14: Equity in the Center: Indian 101 Workshop

  • 11/14: CARW: Monthly Connection Circle


...and so much more! Visit our Events Calendar to see the most up-to-date full schedule.

*Cultures Connecting Event.


 

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