Big Read theme celebrates indigenous peoples

It was 1974, with media coverage of the occupation of Wounded Knee still fresh in my memory. My college speech class assignment was a "persuasive" speech, and I decided to speak about the appalling treatment of native peoples in North America.

Lacking any first-hand knowledge or the miracle of internet research, I turned to books and newspapers. Though I don’t remember the grade I got on my speech, I still carry the passion that the literature stirred in me. And that is precisely what the NEA Big Read is all about.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, and is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, community and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Our community-wide "read" begins Friday, Oct. 6, and continues through Nov. 10. The kickoff event Friday at 7 p.m. at the Boardman Road Branch Library promises to be a treat for the ears, eyes and soul. The multi-talented Joan Henry brings her band, Spirited, and some brand new works to showcase. Music will be interspersed with poetry, and a slide show will feature place names in Dutchess and Ulster counties that are based on native languages.

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As the key creative force for the concert, Joan brings years of experience as a professional singer, dancer, writer, composer and actress, not to mention her leadership within the native community. Her concerts are engaging and family-friendly, offering a blend of traditional native music and jazz. Poet/professor Molly McGlennen and poet/historian/author Evan Pritchard also will be a part of the event.

The NEA Big Read book selection is Joy Harjo’s "How We Became Human," an anthology of her poems from 1975-2001. Harjo was born in Oklahoma, of Muscogee (Creek) heritage. She is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious Ruth Lilly Prize for Poetry, which honors a living poet for outstanding lifetime achievement. Her poetry touches on themes of nature, place, tradition, justice and the history of indigenous people.

The Poughkeepsie Public Library District is coordinating events at many locations across the region organized by more than 40 partners. On Monday, Oct. 9, poet Cassandra Clarke leads a Poetry in the Garden event in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Several local libraries are holding events for both adults and children throughout the five-week program. Adriance and Boardman offer open discussions on Oct. 12, of Harjo’s book, "How We Became Human."

At 1 p.m., Oct. 14, Boardman hosts a screening of "Reel Injun," a 2010 documentary which examines Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans. The same day, at 8 p.m., the Hudson Valley Philharmonic contributes its talents to the NEA Big Read in a concert, "Made in America," at the Bardavon. The program includes James DeMars’ "Two World Concerto," featuring Native American flautist R. Carlos Nakai.

On Oct. 15, the NEA Big Read welcomes Molly McGlennen, a published poet of Ojibwe heritage who teaches English and Native American Studies at Vassar College. McGlennen will present an accessible, thought-provoking look at Native American history, literature and, of course, Harjo’s poetry.

For younger readers, all of our Little Read books are written by local Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac. Many students are reading them in school, but copies are also available through local libraries.

This week, I pulled my 1970 edition of "Our Brother’s Keeper: The Indian in White America" off the shelf again and flipped through the pages, noting the outrage marked in the margins by my younger self. I am saddened that our country has made so little progress acknowledging and addressing the impact of our colonial history on indigenous peoples, but I am eager to study a new work of literature addressing some of the same issues in poetry and prose with my adopted mid-Hudson community. Please join me in the journey.

Jewel Ratzlaff is the NEA Big Read coordinator for the Poughkeepsie Public Library District.

If you go

For time and location details for all of the NEA Big Read events, pick up a calendar at your local library or visit www.poklib.org