Wisdom’s April Film Screenings viewed by over 200 guests
More than 200 guests enjoyed two of Wisdom’s short films earlier this month highlighting environmental and climate issues from the perspective of Alaskan Native elders and cultural leaders.
Portland’s community had an opportunity to learn more about Alaska Native response to climate issues and discover at a deeper level the importance of preserving Native Alaskan communities’ unique earth-based subsistence cultures which have faced decades of unprecedented sustainability challenges. Inupiaq and Alaskan Dine (Athabascan) elders and community leaders discussed environmental and climate issues and shared Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), including oral history, cultural arts (traditional arts, music and storytelling), linguistics, and their astute observations of Nature.
These films are produced by Wisdom and filmmaker Larry Johnson with Lawrence Johnson Productions. They will be finalized by June 30 thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts. Special thanks to our co-sponsors who hosted this series of 6 events: Native American Youth and Family Services, Multnomah County Sustainability and Public Health Programs, Multnomah County Library, Portland Community College – Sylvania’s Multicultural Center; Portland Community College – Cascade’s Native Nations Club, Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network, Laurelhurst Theatre and Pub, and American Indian Science and Engineering Society – Professional Division. Special thanks also to Christopher Yarrow who volunteered his support in the development of the film screenings, which included valuable community consultations after each film; Amanda Kelley Lopez who helped coordinate the Native gatherings; Daniel Dixon who provided technical assistance and publicity support; and our talented photographer Nyeena–Swadwa Tronson.
When completed the film segments will be integrated into Wisdom’s culturally tailored multimedia curriculum which is being used this summer at Summer Field Science Camp sessions as part of The Wisdom Project. A total of 10 sessions will be held at Native American Youth and Family Center and Beaverton High School’s Title VII Indian Education Program in June and July. The curriculum will be used in the morning classroom sessions and will be followed by afternoon field trips to local ecosystems. The youth will be supported by a group of Native peer mentors who will guide them through the classes and conservation restoration activities.
I can’t say enough about our outstanding partners. Our E. Portland partners will work with us during the field trips at Johnson Creek Watershed, Columbia River Slough, Cathedral Park on the Willamette River and Wisdom Gardens. Our Beaverton partners will help us conduct activities at the Tualatin Hills Natural Area. A partnership with Ecotrust will allow the youth and peer mentors to learn GIS mapping.
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