ILLUMINATION Native Community Gathering - Thursday, October 24th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Join us for food and to be in community at Chifin Native Youth Center at 1084 G Street in Springfield.

Learn about the work YOUR local Native story team is doing with the Springfield History Museum to explore and celebrate the American Indian and Alaska Native history and experience in Springfield and rural east Lane County.

Story team members include:

• Kunu Bearchum, Photographer (Northern Cheyenne, Ho-Chunk) 
• Princess Bass-Mason, Videographer/Interviewer (Klamath and Western Shoshone)
• Megan England, Writer/Historian (Siletz)
• Dr. David Lewis, Exhibit Advisor (Grand Ronde)

Enjoy food and be in community as the Springfield History Museum holds space to listen and learn from YOU about how YOU want to celebrate this collection of video interviews, photos and history of our local Native peoples.

Sheena Puls (Assiniboine, Gros Ventre and Arapaho) works with the Native Youth Wellness program, serving Native youth, families and educators around Lane County. She grew up in Springfield (and all over Oregon!) and her story is part of this ILLUMINATION collection. She has generously agreed to facilitate the community dialogue for this special Native community gathering.

Questions the Springfield History Museums wants to know from you:

1. What does it look like, sound like and feel like to celebrate at the exhibit opening in December?
2. What public programs do YOU want in 2025 that celebrate the Native community, hosted by the Springfield History Museum and Springfield Public Library?

If you have questions and/or would like to share your thoughts via email, please reach out to Mindy Linder at mlinder@springfield-or.gov.

To learn more about ILLUMINATION and view previous community-led collections, visit https://wheremindsgrow.org/illumination 

This program was made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. This project is also  made possible with support from Springfield Utility Board, Springfield Arts Commission, City of Springfield, Springfield Public Library, Friends of the Springfield Public Library and History Museum, Springfield Public Library Foundation and the University of Oregon Home Fligh Scholars Program.