Pauline Morris, board member Born and raised in small community (say COMMUNITY not village) Kwethluk, outside Bethel on the Kuskokwim Location of the boaring school the Children’s Home, which is now abandoned.
Found her way to Oxford, where she saw their library. Respect, veneration “Our elders are their books”
Knowledge and wisdom can be found in books and on the computer, but also in the individual people in our community!
Face to face conversation Not avoiding disagreement or conflict, but approaching it differently Authenticity breeds understanding Real person right in front of you Body language to check in be responsive
STRONG COMMUNITY Trust Connection Belonging Hope Understanding Understanding across difference NOT necessarily agreement or concensus
The Alaska Humanities Forum connects Alaskans through stories, ideas, and experiences that positively change lives and empower communities. This is what we do. We’re striving to spread the kind of conversation that strengthens community.
Why doesn’t this happen naturally? This does happen naturally but usually with people who share similar ideas! Comfort, familiarity If you want to organize a conversation among community members that don’t normally talk… then you may worry about… … how to deal with conflict and argument … how much time it will take to organize and plan … the cost! Materials, marketing and promotion, food to attract people … whether you have the expertise or have access to experts on the subject … fear of the unknown generally… what don’t you know??
Common ground No experts!
Engagement - not just as participants but as facilitators!
Last nights event was GREAT! It started a great dialog and caused me to do some thinking. I still struggle with comfort in social situations but, I felt better there than most group settings. You did an incredible job. JOE SIEBERT Retired Munitions Systems Specialist Air Force
AKHF.ORG
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