with Judy Dow
6:30pm, Free, Lawrence Memorial Library.
For a map to the library, click
here.
Abenaki basketmaker and educator, Judy Dow, will discuss the many myths
surrounding the celebration of the “First Thanksgiving: how they
may have come about, what purpose they serve and why, year after year,
they are perpetuated in classrooms across the country. What is so seductive
about this particular story and what is its impact on Native people?
Judy is a member of the board of Oyate, a non-profit organization working
to see that the lives and stories of Native people are portrayed honestly.
She reviews literature by and about Native people and will talk about
books we are all familiar with as well as make recommendations for excellent,
more culturally appropriate books and other resources. Judy is a positive
and dynamic speaker with a great comittment to educating parents, teachers,
librarians and children about celebrating cultural diversity with respect
for everyone.
You can read Judy Dow's paper on this topic at at http://www.oyate.org/resources/longthanks.html.
Our Press Release:
Deconstructing the Myths of “The First Thanksgiving”
with Vermont Educator Judy Dow (Abenaki)
Bristol…The One-World Library Project will host a free program,
Deconstructing the Myths of “The First Thanksgiving” presented
by local educator Judy Dow at the Lawrence Memorial Library in Bristol
on Thursday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m. Judy is an Abenaki basketmaker
and educator who teaches at the grade school and college level and serves
on the board of Oyate, the American Indian Scouting Association and Gedakina.
She is the 2004 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Outstanding
Vermont Educator and serves as a commissioner on the Vermont Commission
on Native American Affairs. Judy lives with her family in Essex Junction.
Judy Dow works on the board of Oyate, a non-profit organization working
to see that the lives and stories of Native people are portrayed honestly.
Their work includes: critical evaluation of books and curricula with Indian
themes, conducting “Teaching Respect for Native People” workshops,
and distribution of books and materials with an emphasis on writing and
illustration by Native people. With Beverly Slapin, Judy researched and
co-authored a paper on the many myths surrounding the celebration of the
first Thanksgiving; how they may have come about, what purpose they serve
and why they are perpetuated year after year in classrooms across the
country. She will discuss books we are all familiar with and the inaccurate
way they portray this historic American event as well as recommend more
culturally accurate books and other resources. Judy’s informative
talk will be of particular interest to teachers working with children
on American history and Native American stories and culture. It will also
be helpful to parents or anyone looking for new ways to give thanks for
a bountiful harvest in a multi-cultural manner – celebrating old
traditions in a way that is respectful to all. |