
Issue 48 changeagent.nelrc.org March 2019 THE CHANGE Adult Education for Social Justice: News, AGENT Issues, and Ideas Indigenous Peoples Giving and Compassion: 3 Teachings of the Buffalo Hunt: 4 Why Call them “Indians”?: 7 My First Encounter: 8 Since 1492: A History of Atrocities and Struggle: 9 Laughing for the First Time: 10 A Promise to the Creator: 12 I Am Indigenous to Puerto Rico: 13 Acknowledge the Land: 14 Creating a Healthy Yaqui Community: 16 Love Lessons in a Time of Settler Colonialism: 18 Native Women Talk about Sexual Abuse in a Northern Plains Tribe: 19 Separating Children from Families: 20 The Three Sisters: 22 Indigenous Math: 24 Through the Eyes of an Indian Looking In: 26 Standing Rock is Everywhere: 28 UnLearning My Bias: 32 “Cowboys and Indians”: 34 Indigenous Peoples Day: 35 Thanksgiving: How Much is Myth?: 36 The Myth of Discovery: 38 The Seminole Wars: 40 Indigenous Women and Mother Earth: 42 Incan Relay Runners: 44 In Navajo culture, a baby’s first laugh is an important spiritual and emotional moment. The Incas Worshipped Nature: 45 Read more about it in an article by Hannabah Blue on pp. 10-11. Indigenous People in Brazil: 46 Fierce Fighters, Resilient People: My Tribe is Ashanti: 48 ENGAGING, EMPOWERING, AND READY-TO-USE. Ainu People: Indigenous People of Student-generated, relevant content in print & audio at various levels of Japan: 50 complexity—designed to teach basic skills & transform & inspire adult learners. La Guelaguetza: 52 Once You Were Children: 54 A MAGAZINE & WEBSITE: CHANGEAGENT.NELRC.ORG The Change Agent is the bi- A Note from the Editor: annual publication of The New England Literacy Resource What shines through in the stories and essays we share here is the strength Center. Each issue of the paper and resiliency, the teachings, the connection to land and culture, the com- helps teachers incorporate social justice content into their curricu- mitment to reciprocity, and the creative and insistent approaches to main- lum. The paper is designed for taining traditions, despite intense losses and challenges. Stories that pair intermediate-level ESOL, ABE, loss and trauma with survival and healing will resonate with all our read- GED, and adult diploma classes. Each issue focuses on a different ers, no matter what their background. topic that is relevant to learners’ As I developed this issue, I searched for activities, developed ideas for lives. research, and scoured the internet for videos that would support learning. In New England, online access Here’s one that I couldn’t find a place for in the magazine: <tinyurl.com/ to The Change Agent is available free of charge through NELRC’s DoYouSpeakMyLanguage>. In it, Mi’kmaq children interview elders and affiliated state literacy resource tell the story of how their school is working to teach the language and tradi- centers. Email changeagent@ tions of the Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is a 16-minute gem that you worlded.org to learn how to ac- cess the site. could add as an extension to many of the pieces in this issue. (Find more Submissions: links to videos on pp. 13, 23, 33, 41, 42, 46, and 55.) For the theme of our next issue, Biggest thanks to our editorial board for this issue! They brought their see the “Call for Articles” on the back cover. Note that we perspective and experience; they wrote, solicited articles, gave feedback, feature writing by adult learn- and encouraged each other’s writing. I am so honored to have had a chance ers. For submission guidelines to work with them. This was a far-flung editorial board—some attending visit: <changeagent.nelrc.org/ write-for-us> or contact us at in person, but most chiming in by phone and by webinar. (Thus, unfortu- 617-482-9485 or changeagent@ nately, we have no photo of our crew!) Some had to drive an hour to find worlded.org. an elevation that allowed for a cell phone signal. I truly appreciate the effort Subscriptions: everyone made. The richness and depth of this issue is because of them: Individual, bulk, and electronic subscriptions to The Change Jennifer Abril, teacher at the John F. Kennedy School, FACE Adult Agent are available. See the back cover and/or our website Education, Whiteriver, AZ. for details. Akinyele Akinruntan, John Snow, Inc. (JSI), Boston, MA. Editor: Hannabah Blue, Diné (Navajo), JSI, Healthy Start, Denver, CO. Cynthia Peters Michelle Hughes, Wampanoag, former Employment and Training Director Proofreaders: for WIOA at NAICOB, Boston, MA. Kaye Beall, Sydney Breteler, Katie Moody, Interfaith Minister and Community Organizer, NH. Silja Kallenbach, Victoria Neff, and Kathleen O’Connell. Andy Nash, NELRC director, World Education, Boston, MA. The Change Agent is published Tashina Thunder Hawk, Oglala Lakota, student at FACE Program at Pine by the New England Literacy Re- Ridge Reservation, Little Wound School in Kyle, SD. source Center/World Education , World Education, Boston, MA. 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, Ebony Vandross MA 02210 (617) 482-9485 Dr. Jessica Dilworth from National Center for Families Learning played an No information in this magazine essential role at the beginning of the process, connecting me to the teachers is intended to reflect an endorse- ment for, or opposition to, any and students in FACE programs on reservations. Thank you, Jessica. candidate or political party. Joel Lamstein and Katie Moody supported this issue and The Change Agent in general with significant donations. Their generosity could not have come at a better time, and it has made all the difference in our ability to continue our work lifting up the voices of adult education students on a wide range of important social issues! —Cynthia Peters, [email protected] And finally... please subscribe or renew! We need you! Spread the word and encourage programs to subscribe. Remember to re- visit our back issues for a great source of relevant, timely content. You—our fans and allies—help us keep the lights on! Indigenous Peoples Giving and Compassion Our Family’s Heritage Renee Chaco-Aragon BEFORE YOU READ: Have you received teach- ings from your parents or grandparents that have helped you through hard times? What are they? My name is Renee Chaco-Aragon, and I am a member of the Navajo (Diné) Nation. I live in Tohajiilee (Drawing Water), New Mexico, which is part of the Navajo Nation. I belong to the Zia People Clan (Tlogi) born for the Red Running into the Water People Clan (Tachiinii). My parents are Eddie and Angie Chaco. They have been married for almost 50 years now. I have learned many teachings from my parents. My family comes from a long line of struggles; however, the teachings of Renee Chaco-Aragon (left) with her parents. my parents and grandparents have sustained us out wanting anything in return. Use your money through our hard times. to help the elders and orphans. You can never give My mom became an orphan when she was more than God gave us. He gave us air, water, fire, very young. Her dad, in a drunken rage, killed her and everything we need to survive, so use what mom and took his He gave us to give to others.” own life. Despite My mom would say, My dad would say, “Be careful what you get this loss, my mom yourself involved in.” He would say, “Not every- “Money will not return had her grandpar- one will watch out for you. You have to watch out and say how much it ents to raise her for yourself.” My dad took care of my mother by with all the love loves you.” taking over where her grandparents left off, trying and care a little his best to give her what she wanted. He took in girl could hope her four children as his own and provided for us for. My dad came from a broken home with no all. Through this, my dad has shown me what true father to guide him. Through God’s love, he pro- compassion and sacrifice is. vided for twelve children, four being stepchildren. I am grateful for these teachings, I try my best Talk about compassion! Through these struggles, to pass these teachings on to my children. As a my mom became a giver and my dad became com- mother of two biological, two adopted, and three passionate but also cautious. step-children, I often resort to these teachings to The teaching my mom passed on to me is: giv- get through life. I look and see my parents get- ing is such a blessing. There are so many hidden ting older. However, what they taught me will be treasures in it. My mom would say, “Money will passed on for generations to come. not return and say how much it loves you. Money will not return and respect you. And money will Renee Chaco-Aragon is an online student at Grand Canyon Uni- not be around forever. So, use your money to give versity. She is using the Tohajiilee, NM, FACE program and Adult to others, to give life, to lend a helping hand with- Education to help her obtain her Bachelor’s degree in Counseling. changeagent.nelrc.org — March 2019 — The Change Agent 3 Indigenous Peoples Teachings of the Buffalo Hunt Tatanka Wanasapi Ta Wounspe A Sacred Time for a Young Man Oitancan Mani Zephier I am Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota, and so are my children. We are Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota first before we are American. We are the first people of this land. In fact, it is our land. When you have destroyed it and killed it, we will be here to see it replenish itself.
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