This fall, The Seattle Public Library is partnering with yəhaw̓, an Indigenous-led arts project, to celebrate Indigenous creativity and environmental equity. From October through December, we’ll have events, an exhibit, and artists in residence who honor indigenous knowledge and address the theme of environmental equity.

ABOUT YӘHAW̓

From Thursday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 9, the Central Library is excited to celebrate the kick off of yәhaw̓, a year-long, Indigenous-led arts project that will culminate in a major exhibition at Seattle Office of Arts & Culture’s ARTS at King Street Station in January 2019. As Seattle gears up for the exhibition, the public is invited to take part in community exhibits, artist residencies, and public events across the region. Over 200 Indigenous creatives will take part in yәhaw̓ and the project is designed to Indigenize the city. For more information, visit https://yehawshow.com/

EVENTS

            What Is At Stake For Washington’s Native Nations Today – 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. University of Washington professors Jean Dennison (Osage) and Josh Reid (Snohomish) will lead a discussion with local Native leaders Lisa Wilson (Lummi) and Melvinjohn Ashue (Hoh) on Indigenous sovereignty, treaty rights, and urban planning.

Film Screening: “500 Years: Life in Resistance” – 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at Centilia Cultural Center at El Centro de La Raza, 1660 S. Roberto Maestas Festival St. From a historic genocide trial to the overthrow of a president, “500 Years” tells a sweeping story of recent mounting resistance played out in Guatemala, through the actions and perspectives of the majority indigenous Mayan population, who now stand poised to reimagine their society.          Join us for this film screening, followed by a Q&A with protagonist Irma Alicia Velásquez Nimatuj, Director Pamela Yates and Producer Paco de Onís. The film will be shown in Spanish with English subtitles.

            Resistance Saga Workshop – Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. Interested in Indigenous sovereignty and human rights? Don’t miss a dynamic interactive media workshop with global human rights leader and journalist Dr. Irma Alicia Velásquez Nimatuj (Maya K’iche) and Paco de Onís and Pamela Yates of Skylight. The workshop will be conducted in Spanish with limited translation. Registration is required.

            Opening Reception For ‘This Is Our Home, Where We Belong’ – 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. The reception starts with light refreshments in the Auditorium on Level 1, and then moves to the Level 8 Gallery to enjoy the artwork.

Listening to the Wisdom of Our Elders – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium, 206-386-4636. Listen to the wisdom of our elders who will share their experiences, knowledge, and stories. We are honored to recognize those have worked to keep Indigenous legacies alive.

Indigenous Art Making – 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1, 206-386-4636.

• Family Art – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Meet local Indigenous artists and makers. Create treasures to bring home.
• Artist in Residence Panel – 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join our Artists in Residence—Native Kut, Roldy Aguero Ablao and Fox Spears—for a panel discussion moderated by curator Denise Emerson.
• Film Screening: “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” – 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The contributions of Native Americans in modern American music get a much-deserved showcase in this celebratory expose of the Indigenous influence on the soundtrack of popular culture.

EXHIBIT

            This Is Our Home, Where We Belong – Coast Salish Female Artists on Identity, Spirituality, and Environment. The exhibit features the original artwork of five Coast Salish women exploring environmental justice, identity, and place. Featured artists include:

• Caroline Edwards (Swinomish)
• Denise Emerson (Diné/Twana)
• Karen Engel (Shoalwater Bay)
• Kimberly Miller (Skokomish)
• Abbey Pierson (Cowlitz)

The project’s curator Denise Emerson is also Coast Salish, of the Twana people, and this her first curatorial project. The exhibit is free, no tickets required. Check out the art from Thursday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 9 in the Level 8 Gallery at the Central Library.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Celebrate Indigenous artists at the Library! From October to December, visit the Central Library for unique experiences with amazing artists.

            Native Kut: Pah-tu Pitt and Sean Gallagher – Does water move you? Native Kut, a dynamic duo made up of artists Pah-tu and Sean, will be exploring water in conservation. Throughout October, they will be in the 8th floor gallery doing printmaking and wood carving demos inspired by Indigenous water rights from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 2, 9 and 16.

            Roldy Aguero Ablao – Did you know “eco” means home? Join mixed-media artist and storyteller Roldy Ablao as they create artworks inspired by stories of home and connections to Indigeneity and environmental justice. Drop by the studio to help Roldy and their guest collaborators make space to build deeper connections through creativity from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Oct. 20, 27 and Nov. 3.

            Fox Spears – Ready to follow the river? Spend time with printmaker Fox Spears whose arts will center around the theme of water – relationships that plants, animals, and humans have formed with rivers over time. Fox’s inspiration comes from the Klamath River, where his Karuk ancestors lived since time immemorial, as well as the river systems in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about pattern making with Fox from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Nov. 10, 17 and 24.

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

We are grateful for the expertise from executive project producers Tracy Rector (Choctaw/Seminole), Asia Tail (Cherokee), and Satpreet Kahlon, along with the guidance from our Native Advisory Council. This exhibit is made possible with support from The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

The Library’s dynamic approach to building community that enriches lives includes programming that brings people, information and ideas together to respect and embrace the well-being of the people we serve. We celebrate Seattle’s many cultures by forming strong partnerships with community organizations.

For more information, go to www.spl.org/yehaw, call 206-386-4636 or Ask Us. For ADA accommodations, please contact: leap@spl.org.

– SPL –

(Media: Contact Andra Addison, Communications Director, 206-386-4103 or andra.addison@spl.org.)