Tacoma Reads
photos by Selena Kearney (Chehalis)
About the Project
Kimberly Corinne Deriana (Mandan / Hidatsa) and Asia Tail (Cherokee) of yəhaw̓ organized two programs in conjunction with Tacoma Reads 2019, a partnership of City of Tacoma Government, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, and Tacoma Public Library. Tacoma Reads is a local community reading program that seeks to unite the community in dialogue around contemporary themes through reading a common text. The 2019 Tacoma Reads selection was the bestselling debut novel There There by Tommy Orange. Described as “groundbreaking, extraordinary” by The New York Times, There There is a multi-generational, relentlessly paced story of 12 urban Native Americans traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, interconnected in ways they may not yet realize.
We Rise: Indigenous Womxn’s Stories
Where: Place of Hidden Waters / Northeast Gym, 6245 21st St NE, Tacoma, 98422
When: October 27, 2019
Connect: tacomalibrary.org/tacomareads
A diverse group of Indigenous womxn told stories from their lives during this special event. Our multi-generational gathering included local writers, activists, artists, and students, sharing a wide range of Coast Salish and Urban Native perspectives. King’s Books was also on site with publications by Native womxn writers available for purchase.
Storytellers
Connie McCloud (Puyallup)
Brandi Douglas (Puyallup)
Dawn Pichón Barron (Choctaw / Mexican / Euro)
Monae Wright (Puyallup)
Nataanii Nez Cottier (Oglala and Sicangu Lakota)
Sasha LaPointe (Upper Skagit / Nooksack)
Family Day: Celebrate Indigenous Artists!
Where: Fab-5 HQ, 1120 South 11th Street, Tacoma, WA 98405
When: November 10, 2019
Connect: tacomalibrary.org/tacomareads / fab-5.org
Families and children of all ages joined us for a fun-filled afternoon of hands-on learning led by Native American artists! Visitors stopped by or stayed for the day as we celebrated Indigenous cultures and creativity - hearing Lushootseed songs and stories, exploring books by Native authors, and creating treasures to take home.
Activities
Lushootseed with Kayla Guyette (Jicarilla Apache) and Paige Pettibon (Salish)
Story Stones with Raven Juarez (Blackfeet)
Selfie Station by Alex Britt (Nansemond)
Books by Native authors from Tacoma Public Library’s collection
