by WebPost | Sep 30, 2022 | Announcement, Ministry and Worship
JOIN US FOR OUR 6TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 18-20, 2022 AT THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS’ LESLIE CHEEK THEATER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
REFRAMING NATIVE AMERICAN LIFE AND EXPERIENCE THROUGH FILM
Representation matters. It matters because it impacts how we interact with our fellow Americans, the way that we educate our children, and it shapes our path forward as a democracy. Storytelling and filmmaking have suffered from a dearth of representation of important groups that influenced American democracy, notably Native Americans. Native culture is rich, steeped in history, and multifaceted, yet mainstream films do not often capture this nuance. The Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival honors the contributions of Native Americans and reinvigorates conversations about telling stories of indigenous life. The Festival aims to raise awareness about Native American language, cultures, and societies through films that share Native American perspectives. The Festival, which is the only one of its kind on the East Coast, brings together artists, authors, cineastes, and actors who share a passion for film and features experiential learning opportunities for the entire public. In the past, filmmakers have used demeaning stereotypes when incorporating Native characters or storylines, which lack nuance, accuracy, and complexity. The Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival offers new insight into previously under-told narratives. It is befitting that this important East Coast American Indian film festival is held in Virginia. Long before English settlers first arrived to establish the Jamestown settlement, Native Americans inhabited the land that would become the birthplace of our nation. Upon their arrival, Native Americans shared their mastery of the land with the English settlers and ultimately ensured the Colony’s survival. In 1619 Virginia, three cultures collided: Virginia Indian, African, and English. The interactions between these cultures forged what would eventually become the United States and demonstrates that diversity has always been an integral part of the American story. Representation of these groups and their contributions in the stories we share has an impact on how our communities reflect on, and share, our collective history. Through the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival, we hope to raise visibility around the need for more diversity in film, as well as elevate the perspectives of Native Americans in society.
by WebPost | Aug 16, 2022 | Adult Spiritual Education, Announcement, Ministry and Worship
“First Look- Pathways to Right Relationship with Native People” Barb Adams, moderator
Please join us for what promises to be an important and deeply interesting overview of this significant and timely subject. Our own Barb Adams* will guide us in talks, exercises and discussions, looking at the roots of colonization, the land experience, history, appreciation of daily life and first steps toward commitment to right relationship with the native peoples.
Light morning fare and lunch provided, side dishes or desserts to share are welcomed. Please register with the link below before September 1st. Program will be held outdoors in the pavilion. Bring your own folding chair.
*Barb is BYM rep to Quaker Earthcare Witness, and there serves on the UN Working Group as liaison to indigenous and women's groups addressing climate injustice. She recently completed the Land Acknowledgement: A First Step Towards Right Relationship program offered by Pendle Hill
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdplRc_EHmla3o75f2V8P6qR8px4aarCKTMGx1pbJyWrfWwEg/viewform
by WebPost | Apr 13, 2022 | Announcement, Ministry and Worship
In December 2021 Business Meeting, we decided to look to the Virginia Department of Health framework when considering our own COVID precautions. In recent weeks, VDH has changed the way they talk about COVID risk and precautions in ways that my allow loosening our own considerations a bit.
As hospitalizations have dropped significantly, VDH has replaced their own “community transmission” reports and considerations with the Centers for Disease Control "risk ranking" model. The CDC model takes into account infection levels, but more heavily weighs the burden on local hospitals.
Under this, Richmond and environs are in the "Low" risk category, which for us suggests that we can:
-- request that friends use their own judgment on whether to mask or not. Some will want to continue masking, particularly those most vulnerable to COVID and anyone who may feel sick and thus want to protect others.
-- continue to attend to ventilation in any indoor space where people gather.
-- consider providing an area in the worship room where people can distance well. Some will want to continue social distancing, particularly those most vulnerable.
-- open the meetinghouse to eating, though still maximizing ventilation and encouraging people to distance, or better yet meet on the patio.
VDH notes that keeping gatherings in “well ventilated” areas is always important. Masking and distancing are still worthwhile precautions. And, as noted while Richmond is currently "Low" risk, we should quickly return to universal masking and consider other precautions if/when we to go to "Medium" risk.
Please contact me or other Working Group members with questions.
Thanks
Dan Shaw, clerk, COVID Working Group
