I thought this link was very interesting, as it gives a synopsis of work being done to help empower displaced and otherwise underprivledged Sudanese women and girls. Since the country has been suffering from the effects of a corrupt government, and ongoing genocide, there are many organizations committed to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Sudan. However, this specific organization (Sudan Reach Women's Foundation) has placed their focus on the empowerment of women and young girls, separating it from other charities working in the region. Although it is not just women and girls who need aid in Sudan, in a country where women are not as privledged as men (through cultural differences or oppression), I am happy to promote an organization like this one.
Their motto is: The Sudan-Reach Women's Foundation is a grassroots organization committed to helping Sudanese women and girls realize their highest potential for personal and social growth through self-empowerment, education, and self-sufficiency. Our goal is to promote positive change in women's lives and enhance the communities in which they live.
Well...
Classes are wrapping up now.. Two ending, two more starting.. As I sit here, debating what to write, my mind instantly wanders to the maze parable Rory gave us in the beginning week.. I remember him walking around the maze on campus.. talking about how this program is going to be different for all of us, yet none of us can predict how it will end up.. how all we need to do is take the first step.. Well, I feel like that first step has been taken.
Since I left Goucher's campus on the 11th of August, my life has been a whirlwind. I could not have predicted how much I would learn, nor how much my life would be turned upside down. It started the night I got home from Baltimore and found out I'm pregnant..! My husband and I have been trying for a couple years now, and although we were both ecstatic, I couldn't help but laugh at the irony.... Seriously? Now???... Now that I just started my Masters??? Now that I have a job that I actually enjoy, and I'm volunteering at this place that I love??? Well, I guess sometimes the plans we make for ourselves don't always match up to the plans set out for us.. :)
So push ahead a few weeks, and quite a few "vomit breaks" and exhaustion spells later.. My life is still crazy, but I feel like I have made some progress. In just a few assignments, I have already learned more about this city I live in, than I have in the past year and a half of living here. While I haven't had the opportunities to get in as much scholarly research as I would have hoped to by now, the research I have done has set me up for nothing but success. I am truly starting to get a feel for the research which already exists regarding museums and community engagement (although there is TONS out there!!).. As I engage in scholarly debate with my classmates on Blackboard, I truly feel that I have the complete support of a true community behind me. Although this path may be different for all of us, we are all united in this great quest... and I can feel that every time I log in.
Although I am not sure what discoveries the next classes bring, I am confident that they will guide me in my goals and dreams. I am anxious to do some more research involving the community events and projects already in place. As I try to figure out where my projects fit in, I am comforted in knowing that my intentions are good and my heart is in the right place. If I genuinely engage in my community, without any expectations, there is no doubt that I will be rewarded. As I adjust my schedule and my future plans to fit my changing life, I am confident that my project will serve me well. Although I cannot predict that next step, I know that in the end, my path will have been beautiful.
These links are great, as they discuss the benefits of using modern social media to better connect museums (and other cultural resources) to their audiences. Specifically, these links discuss mediums such as Twitter, Facebook, and even iPhone apps. In an era of social media and technology, it almost seems as if the previous methods of communication and audience interaction are somehow sub-par (or at least just really archaic). In the end, go with what is already working for your institution, but do not be afraid to go out on a limb and try new things! That iPhone app may be just the thing your new exhibit needs..
Some interesting information regarding Seattle's attempt to go green... Although the city could still improve significantly, they are making great strides. Having set the bar high for other cities to follow in the "green movement", they stand to only improve.
I invite you to check out the exhibit titled "Whales In Our Midst" (currently on display in Port Townsend, WA). Created by Rick Chandler, the curator of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, this travelling exhibit features one of the most prominent fixtures of the great Pacific Northwest: the orcas. In addition to the mammals themselves, the exhibit also features the dynamic relationships between these magnificant creatures and the people who have shared these waters with them for thousands of years. For information on how to obtain this exhibit for your facility, please contact the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum (Bainbridge Island, Washington) at (206) 842-2773.
Link featuring the exhibit (currently at the Marine Science Center in Port Townsend):
http://suquamish.org/HistoryCulture.aspx
This post is dedicated to my neighbors: The Suquamish Nation. The link describes the history and traditions of the Suquamish people, as well as their recent accomplishments and struggles.It also features quite a bit of information on Chief Sealth (whom the city of Seattle is named after); including the historic speech he gave in Seattle in 1854.Currently, the tribal nation in the process of building an new museum, which will eventually house the thousands of artifacts and culturally significant items of the "People of the Clear Salt Water". It is an exciting time for the Suquamish, as they move past the tragic events of the past and focus on the future preservation of their culture. I am honored and humbled to share these grounds with them.
The following links describe the current efforts to recover the archaeological material left behind at Yama; what's left of a once-thriving Japanese village on Bainbridge Island, Washington. While the Native American influence in this region is prevalent and ever-important, we must also remember the other demographics who make up the region's diverse history. Many of these links will focus on the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, as it has taken a critical role in the preservation and dedication of this now-overgrown site. Once things are set into motion, it will be interesting to see what happens with the archaeological excavation process. Please understand that no harm is intended to any affected party involved, as I present only the information which is available to the public via the internet.
As I sit here, consumed by all those things which I must do... I am reminded of a little saying:
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment.
I know this is a wonderful moment.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace
This project is not some final end-all-be-all.. Rather, it is the product of a long journey in which I am excited to take. Step by step, I will dwell in the moment.
While we all grapple with the idea of what this arbitrary concept of "cultural sustainability" really means, I thought I'd post a couple links which feature people doing just that.... Sustaining Culture... Although these links will feature many different people working in many different capacities, their goals are distinctly universal..
The above link describes an archaeological excavation project that a colleague of mine has been working on this year. I was invited by Tiffany Brunson while I was at the University of Idaho to be on her excavation team, although regrettably, I was unable to participate (due to relocation through my spouse's job). Although I wish I could have participated, I would like to eagerly showcase her efforts to my classmates (and a wider audience) through this blog. Her work at Fort Spokane is unique, in that it specifically looks at material culture found in a Native American Boarding School. At a time where the US Government focused on assimilating these people into European culture, their spirit and sense of identity ultimately prevailed. It is the material trace of this amazing spirit that Tiffany is ultimately trying to capture. When you look at it from a Native perspective instead of a strictly European perspective, the story truly changes. When we're no longer looking for artifacts which showcase a life that we're not familiar with; when we're truly helping to tellthe Natives' stories of adaptation and survival through their own eyes, the real truth emerges.
I thought I would share this small island museum with anyone interested. This is the museum which I have devoted a lot of my time to. Currently, the BIHM is showcasing an exhibit titled "Ansel Adams- A Portrait of Manzanar". In 1943, Adams was invited to Manzanar (a Japanese-American internment camp) to document (through photography) the daily lives of those who were imprisoned in this government constructed city. Rather than focusing on the struggles these people were facing (by being forced to exist-with guns pointed at them-for three and a half years), Adams wanted to focus on the great human spirit he witnessed. In only a couple of months, the residents of Manzanar developed their own newspaper (which enjoyed state-wide circulation), their own co-op, their own hospital system, and even their own school system with little to no help from the US Government. Their school system was so successful, that it became a model for the rest of the state to follow. When the students of Manzanar rejoined their classmates (after the internment camps were closed), they often performed significantly better than their counterparts on tests. As Adams' only public documentary work, these photographs were published after the war. This book, titled "Born Free and Equal" was ill-received by the war-shaken American public, and was often publically burned. Adams eventually donated his work to the National Library of Congress, where it sat, untouched, for decades. It has only recently resurfaced.
This exhibit is a compilation of Adams' photographs, as well as some very riveting text and personal accounts (given by actual Bainbridge Island residents who were prisoners at Manzanar). While this exhibit will take your breath away, it will ultimately leave you wondering... Could this type of thing ever happen again?
Anderson,Gail . Reinventing the Museum: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on the Paradigm Shift . Gail Anderson . Walnut Creek, CA : Altimira Press , 2004.
Sieg, Holger . "The Effectiveness of Private Benefits in Fundraising ." Tepper School of Business (2009): Carnegie Mellon University.
This reference specifically addresses the different avenues available for fund raising, including the pros and cons of different approaches. Specifically it addresses the community involvement in private events, and the expectations of donors.
Burcaw, G. Ellis . Introduction to Museum Work . Walnut Creek, CA : AltaMira Press, 1997.
STEPS Workbook- Standards and Excellence Program for History Publications . Nashville, TN: American Association for State and Local History , 2009.
MAP Governance Assessment- Self Study Workbook . Washington DC: American Association of Museums, 2004.
This reference is vitally important, as it is the Self Evaluation Study for the specific museum I'm currently working with. It addresses financial and budget issues, community involvement issues, volunteer issues, collections issues, and public affairs protocol.
The New Museum Registration Methods. Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore. Washington DC : American Association of Museums , 1998.
"Helping Hands: Why Museums need Volunteers." Museum July-August (2010): 54-64.
This magazine article addresses the value of volunteers, and why museums and other cultural education resources depend on them. It's a great article, because I am specifically looking at ways to improve volunteerism within the local community.
Research Notes: Project Management. Rick Chandler, Curator, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 2003.
These are the personal research notes of the Curator who I am working directly under. He has extensive notes on projects he has done which are similar to that which I am designing.
Research Notes: Community Relations. Rick Chandler, Curator, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 1999.
These are the personal research notes of the Curator who I am working directly under. These are extensive notes regarding the community of Bainbridge Island, WA. He looks at past data involving demographics, funding, and community expectations.
Research Notes: Museum Management. Rick Chandler, Curator, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 2001.
These are the personal research notes of the curator who I am working directly under. These are extensive notes regarding the different roles performed by each member of the museum staff. This information is valuable, as it gives me insight into who performs what duties, and how each staff member works directly with the Board of Directors.
Research Notes: Museum Financial Management. Rick Chandler, Curator, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 2001.
Research Notes: Museum Interpretation and Evaluation. Rick Chandler, Curator, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, 2001.
Lopez, Susana . "The cultural policy of the European community and its influence on museums." Museum Management and Curatorship 12, no. 2 (1992): 143-157.
Cole, Richard. "American Museum of Natural History." 2009.http://www.amnh.org/about/financial.php (accessed 08/24/10).
This website discusses the financial data from the American Museum of Natural History. While it may not be pertinent to my specific project, it is a good comparison for the smaller museums I am looking at.
"Belt Museum ." 2010.http://visitmt.com/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=16746&siteid=32 (accessed 08/22/10).
"Montana, Lewis and Clark: Belt." 2010.http://visitmt.com/categories/city.asp?City=Belt&SiteID=32 (accessed 08/26/10).
This website features information regarding the Belt Valley Museum, established in Belt, Montana. Since I will be using this specific museum in my studies, these Montana specific websites play a key role in my research gathering abilities.
Trulia, "Bainbridge Island Community Info." Trulia Real Estate Search. Available from htt;://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Bainbridge_Island/community-info/. Internet; accessed 25 August 2010.
This website provides a comprehensive break-down of demographic information on Bainbridge Island, WA. This will be vital, as I address issues of education, funding, volunteerism, and community activism within the island.
ePodunk, "Prifile for Belt, MT." 2007.http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27661 (accessed 20 August 2010 ).
"Seattle's Population and Demographics." 1995-2010.http://seattle.gov/dpd/research/population_demographics/Seattle_at_a_glance/default.asp (accessed 25 August 2010 ).
Mihesuah,Devon A. . Repatriation Reader: Who Owns American Indian Remains. Devon A. Mihesuah. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2000.
Goldbard,Arlene. New Creative Community. Oakland, CA : New Village Press, 2006.
Kyvig,David E. and Myron A. Marty. Nearby History. 2nd ed. Exploring the Past Around You. Lanham, MD: Altimira Press, 2000.
Shaules,Joseph. Deep Culture: The Hidden Challenges of Global Living.Languages for Intercultural Communication and Education. Michael Byram and Alison Phipps . Tonawanda, NY: Multilingual Matters Ltd. , 2007.
Fiske-Risciano ,Roberta. Experiencing Race, Class, and Gender in the United States . 4th ed. Higher Education. New York, NY: Mc-Graw Hill, 2005.
This book addresses the political climate of the United States regarding sociological issues. It is an in-depth look at continuing problems within different social, ethnic, and racial classes, and how we may better address them in upcoming decades.
Feagin,Joe R. . Racial and Ethnic Relations. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996.
This book discusses modern day racial and ethnic relations. It addresses the politics and procedures which cultural institutions have an obligation to follow. Considering that the museums I'm looking at often showcase different cultural groups from many different backgrounds, this lays a great foundation for further investigative research and inquiry.
So here I sit, reflecting on my time at Goucher... What an amazing time that was! I laughed heartily, I cried heartily, I ate heartily, and I came to know some of the most thoughtful and inspiring people I’ve ever met in my life. ~Not bad for a mere ten days…
As I think about the first time I arrived on campus, I am reminded of how many misconceptions I had… Coming into this program, I thought I had done so much already. I had already been to so many places, seen so many things, and achieved so much as an undergraduate student. I had already spent almost ten years in the military, and I thought that I had been exposed to so much “cultural awareness” already. My ideas of culture and cultural sustainability were pretty solid, and I felt like I was truly ready to take the next step in achieving my Master’s Degree. However, after one day of class I quickly realized that all of my experiences and preconceived notions of myself (and others) were astonishingly limited… I had not done that much compared to half of the people around me… I had no idea of what cultural sustainability or awareness really looks like…And finally, cultural experiences cannot be summed up into some neat little package… It is truly so much deeper than that.
So what does all this mean then? What is the toolkit that I need to engage fully in this program? What are the things I will put into my basket? While I wrestle with these questions, I can feel absolute in knowing that this experience is not going to merely end up as some piece of paper on my office wall. I am not merely going to class… I am truly engaged. I am truly willing to step outside of myself and open myself up to others, and I have the confidence to know that others will do the same for me. Why? Because I believe we are more than just classmates. We are friends now. As I sit here, thousands of miles from half of you, I know fully that I am connected to you… each and every one of you. I can see your faces as I read your postings, and I feel an amazing bond between us. Even if we didn’t spend much time together during the residency, I feel that the time we did spend was unique and special in its own way. I am truly humbled to be among the rest of you, for it is through getting to know all of you, that I will ultimately know myself better.
Trying to put it all together, I can only come to the conclusion that I have been blessed. I have been blessed to be accepted into this warm and inviting community, and I have been blessed that I have the resources available to me in order to pursue my academic dreams. I don’t know what the final outcome looks like… I don’t know how my life will be affected when this is all said and done, and I don’t know what kinds of impacts my work will have upon my communities. Thinking about the maze parable, I expect that over the next two years I will find my way; regardless of which twists and turns I experience... What I do know however, is that those ten days in Maryland have paved the way for something great. It is indeed a great opportunity to be in this space with you all, and I am inspired to once again step outside of myself and open myself up to something truly special.
Thank you to everybody. I have been truly humbled, and I cannot wait to engage with you all further!
