Eyes Closed — Our Children Are Dreaming

Eyes Closed

Gabriela Olmos and Shirley Mae Springer Staten

The Dreams of Our Children

Eyes Closed First edition, 2018 Project Coordinators

Translators

Graphic Design

Shirley Mae Staten Gabriela Olmos

Alaska Institute for Justice EJ David Frieda Gilliam Lucy Hansen Jana Harcharek Andrew Lauai

Mariah Oxford

Stories Gabriela Olmos Stories’ Readers Bill Allen Wendy Baker Lauren Horn Patricia Partnow Carol Waters

Photos Oscar Avellaneda-Cruz Amber Johnson George Stransky Graphic Artist for the Eyes Closed children’s image Macuca Cuca

© 2018, Keys to Life 200 West 34th Avenue Suite 902, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503, USA Telephone: (907) 317-3417 • KeystolifeAlaska@gmail.com • www.keystolifealaska.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, address Keys to Life.

ISBN: 978-0-9980304-0-1.

Eyes Closed

Open your eyes to see the world.

Close your eyes to imagine a better one.

Project Coordinators: Shirley Mae Springer Staten and Gabriela Olmos Stories written by Gabriela Olmos

Contents YOUR CULTURE IS YOUR SUPERPOWER

1

OUR CHILDREN’S DREAMS ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE

2

OUR CHILDREN ARE DREAMING Mr. Saleh

5

Mr. Abad

25

Miss Kayleece

7

Miss Suyana

27

Miss NaLeah

9

Mr. Sam

29

Miss Jakayla

11

Mr. Donald

31

Mr. Jezekiah

13

Miss Mcjhmiel

33

Miss Fatooma

15

Mr. Antony

35

Miss Siriana

17

Miss Cristiana

37

Miss Kalayaan and Mr. Malakas

19

Mr. Noel

39

Mr. Mohamud

21

Miss Kapayuk

41

Miss Lourdez

23

BOUQUET OF DREAMS

42

WHOSE DREAM IS THIS? 44

Your culture is your superpower T

he Eyes Closed project reminds our children that who they are—their heritage and culture—is their strength. It empowers children, because it tells them that their cultures, their languages, their perspectives, their worldviews, and their dreams are all sources of strength. It tells children Some the children featured the this Eyes to Closed that their roots—their heritage—are theirofsuperpower!

Let meinsay all Project. children: your culture is your superpower! Make sure you do not lose it. And make sure you use it for good.

Your culture is your superpower.

Having superpowers does not mean you are superheroes. To be a superhero you need to use your powers for good. So please, use your superpower—use your culture—to make this city, this world, a better place!

This project is so important because it tells you, our children, that the diversity you bring to Anchorage is what makes our city strong!

The Eyes Closed project reminds our children that who they are—their heritage and culture—is their strength. It empowers children, because tells them that their E.J. it David Ramos, PhD cultures, their languages, their perspectives, their worldviews, and their dreams are UAA Associate Professor of Psychology all sources of strength. It tells children that their roots—their heritage—are their parentyour of two of the Eyes Closed children superpower! Let me say this to alland children: culture is your superpower!

Make sure you do not lose it. And make sure you use it for good.

Having superpowers does not mean you are superheroes. To be a superhero you need to use your powers for good. So please, use your superpower—use your culture—to make this city, this world, a better place!

This project is so important because it tells you, our children, that the diversity you bring to Anchorage is what makes our city strong!

E.J. David Ramos, PhD UAA Associate Professor of Psychology and parent of two of the Eyes Closed children

1 5

Our children’s dreams are our most important resource H

“

aving a single story about a certain group makes our recognition of our equal

With these words Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie invites her audience to be sure they have more than one story of any culture in order to see it more clearly.

The Eyes Closed Project works towards this goal by broadening the range of stories heard from Anchorage’s population.

While developing the Project, we interviewed nearly 70 Anchorage children of different ethnic origins and religions. We asked them about their heritage, dreams, and aspirations. The children’s answers were always powerful.

Nineteen of these stories were featured in large-format panels that can be viewed on the outside walls and in the garden of the Anchorage Museum; in front of the Loussac and the Mountain View Libraries; and in Peratrovich Park.

Anchorage is a very diverse city; with these nineteen stories, the Eyes Closed Project shows us its kindest face.

The panels remind us that we may encounter thousands of life stories that are very different from our own. People might eat in different ways; they might have very different ideas of what is important, or how to express love or concern. Each of these differences becomes a fascinating story to share.

The Eyes Closed Project invites Anchorage’s residents to open our hearts to these stories. It encourages us to listen to them in wonder and more than once. It urges people to step out of their comfort zones, reach out to those who may seem very different, and do it in a respectful way.

Ribbon cutting for the Eyes Closed exhibit.

As individuals in our communities, we share common ground: we all want to live a healthy life; we all want to make a living from our work; we all want to be happy; and we all love our children. We can learn about what we share by listening to everyone’s stories.

The hope that the next generation will do better than our own is universal. Sanjita, a mother from Nepal, says: “I obviously have high hopes for my children. I hope they don’t go through hardships like I did. I hope they study hard and become doctors, engineers, and pilots. Like all parents, I want them to have a better life than their As Coordinators for the Eyes Closed Project, we enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with some of the new generation, and we are sure they will improve this world.

With these children in town, we are in good hands!

Gabriela Olmos and Shirley Mae Springer Staten Project Coordinators

3

Mr. Saleh NORTH AFRICAN

You have to make your dreams come true “

W

Mr. Saleh. He was born in Libya. His family is from Sudan, and moved to Egypt, where he learned to speak Egyptian and Arabic.

Once Saleh went with his brother to see the Giza pyramids, and he was as the Sphinx. He says, “It’s the pharaoh represented as a lion. The lion is the king of the jungle as the pharaoh was the king of Egyptians. Pharaohs were like lions: Saleh is proud to be a Muslim. He goes to the mosque and his family follows Muslim traditions, such as fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. “Ramadan is when people fast during daytime. Ramadan is very important to our faith. We give to others in need, forgive, pray, read the Quran, and share with our family and friends. When Ramadan comes, all the

Saleh wants to stay close to his Islamic faith. When he grows up he dreams of becoming a sheikh, an elder in his community. Sheikhs are very respected because they are wise.

As a sheikh, Saleh plans to build a new mosque in Anchorage. It will be gold and white. He wants to build it in our city because he is happy here. “Anchorage is Saleh’s family moved to Anchorage at the end of 2015. When he arrived, he did not know one word of English, but he learned it right away. “I didn’t know how to read, but I never gave up. My dream was to become a reader, and now He says, “You don’t wait for dreams to come true, you have to make them

5

Miss Kayleece YUP’IK

What comes around goes around Ca tailartuq uivaaqigtaluni

T

en-year-old Miss Kayleece belongs to a culture that honors its elders. Kayleece is Yup’ik. She was born in Bethel, and two years ago her family moved to Anchorage.

Kayleece has many memories from Bethel. She remembers getting geared up and

fenced in to protect it from bears. blueberries, salmonberries, red berries, and blackberries.

Berry picking is an important tradition in Yup’ik culture. Her grandma taught Kayleece a dance that told the story of an old lady who went berry picking. After gathering hundreds of berries the old lady made dolls for each of the fruit’s different dolls came to life. Yup’ik girls perform this dance dressed in their qaspeqs as they hold their traditional fans.

As much as Kayleece enjoys this dance, when she goes berry picking she does not build dolls from her berries. She shares them instead with the elders. Kayleece learned from her family how important it is to take care of elders. because they are wise, and they do stuff for us. What comes around goes around. If Kayleece dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up. Her grandma used to also teach them to pursue their dreams. If she realizes that some of her students are failing to chase their dreams, Kayleece will teach them to build dream catchers and to put spirits in them. This will enable the dream catchers to grab the dreams before their inspiration fades.

Kayleece explains that having a dream catcher is important for Yup’ik people,

7

Miss NaLeah SAMOAN

When you lose your culture, you lose everything Afai e te leiloa lau aganuu e te leiloa mea uma

W

hen a Samoan girl performs her traditional dance, her hands wave

is transported to the island of American Samoa. They witness how the music caresses the soul of this girl who dances in the same way that her ancestors did.

“Our dances tell the legends and stories to younger kids, so that they can teach explains that Samoan dances are like living books, and that every movement has a meaning. Dance is a tradition in NaLeah’s family. NaLeah’s grandmother was a dancer, and she taught her children the joy of dancing.

NaLeah knows how to perform movements that show waves, coconuts, and complex dances, such as the Poi Ball or the Fire Knife dance.

NaLeah’s auntie Christina performs the Poi Dance, traditional to the Maori people.

Pois are balls held by cords that the dancers swing around in geometric patterns.

Each poi follows the rhythm of the music and its trajectory traces an image.

the Fire Knife dance. NaLeah’s dad performed it too. NaLeah remembers feeling fascinated while watching them, but she is still too scared to practice it.

However, the day might come when NaLeah dares to perform the Fire Knife dance, because she dreams of being a professional dancer. NaLeah says that this dream will help her tell people that the culture of American Samoa “is alive and Honoring her heritage is important to NaLeah. “If I don’t tell our stories, I lose my culture, and I spread apart from my family. And when you lose your culture, you

9

Miss Jakayla AFRICAN AMERICAN

Once you accomplish your dreams, you can make big changes I

“

American girl who dreams of the day when people of color have the same opportunities as White people.

Jakayla was born in Alaska. Like many other African-Americans, Jakayla’s parents came to Alaska with the military. Her dad used to work for the army and her mom worked in the Air Force. Jakayla dreams of joining the military too. Perhaps one day we will call her General Jakayla.

At school Jakayla learned some pieces of Black history. She was so interested in it that she continued researching on her own. She has a deep admiration for Rosa Parks, Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., and President Barack Obama.

She thinks that President Obama’s election showed people of color how much they can accomplish when they unite for a dream. “Without going out and “Dreams are important because once you accomplish them you can make big dreams of being able to inspire people of color to keep building a world where all people belong. for Jakayla. But she is also a smart, self-driven, and strong human being.

11

Mr. Jezekiah ATHABASCAN

Dreams help us shape what the world can be Ugheldze’ ghohtnaa

L

ong before anybody else came to Alaska, this land belonged to the

gathered together to celebrate their heritage.

Mr. Jezekiah is proud of his Athabascan culture. His grandparents used to live in Copper Center. He remembers visiting them and going hunting with his grandpa, One time at Copper Center, Jezekiah’s grandpa was playing drums with other feet. Suddenly the drums and the dance matched pace with the beating of their hearts. Life had meaning and Jezekiah was happy.

However, not long ago Jezekiah’s grandparents moved to Anchorage, and he misses Copper Center every day. going back to the village. At Copper Center, he could learn more about his this land.

13

Miss Fatooma NORTH AFRICAN

You cannot randomly judge a book by its cover W

hen an Ethiopian family eats together, they put a tray with food at the center of the table and the whole family eats from it. They rip off a piece of injera ten-year-old Miss Fatooma.

Fatooma was born in Lebanon, but her mother is Ethiopian. When Fatooma remembers Ethiopians, she says, “They like to share with one another, eat from the same plate, and help each other out. That is what being a family means For Fatooma, compassion for others goes beyond family. She is concerned for people who live in countries facing war and extreme poverty. “I don’t like people Fatooma says. To reach out to them and contribute a bit to the solution, she dreams of joining Doctors Without Borders. “I’ll start helping people here; then I’ll move somewhere else and help; then I’ll go to another place and do the same needs help, so Fatooma will be quite busy.

Fatooma practices the Muslim religion. She goes to the mosque “to learn the She feels disappointed whenever she hears uninformed people speaking against Muslims. “I would say to all those people, ‘You cannot randomly judge a book by its cover. Before you even judge you need to learn about their culture and Fatooma is brave enough to speak out for herself and for her people. “I’m still a child. I’m still learning about the world and its differences, but I’m proud Ethiopian heritage; she is proud of having a family with whom she can eat around the table.

15

Miss Siriana CAUCASIAN AND YUP’IK

A dream can change the world Qavangume Ella cimeryugnga “

D

Dreaming has certainly been important for her. Siriana was born Athabascan, but is being raised in a Yup’ik family, and embraces Yup’ik heritage.

Siriana is learning how to make designs with beads. She enjoys berry picking and likes to treat herself with akutaq (Yup’ik ice cream) as well as other Native delicacies.

Siriana is very concerned about keeping her heritage alive. “Children ask, ‘Where do I come from?’ If it fades away, when children ask such questions, we won’t be Siriana’s early years were not easy. She had to be brave to thrive. At age She also received a Yup’ik name from her grandmother: Qaqimaq, “The Finished Yup’ik name.

She dreams of empowering girls to help them stand against their fears. Siriana is aware that she has to work hard to achieve her dreams. “If I am afraid, I cannot

17

Miss Kalayaan and Mr. Malakas FILIPINO ATHABASCAN

Dreams give you a schedule for when you grow up Ang mga pangarap ay ang iyong talatakdaan sa iyong paglaki

L

“

Mr. Malakas when he speaks about an Athabascan dance he performs. Malakas

His sister Miss Kalayaan is seven years old. She is learning to make ornaments with beads, and the joy of beading has taken over her dreams. “Once I dreamt that my mom and I were beading bracelets and necklaces, and that I helped Setsoo Kalayaan and Malakas are proud to be Athabascan, and they are proud of being Filipino as well. They are learning Tagalog, their father’s native language, and they sing traditional songs of the Philippines with joy.

With such a rich heritage, Kalayaan is concerned with guaranteeing equal rights for people of color. “I learned that long ago brown people had to go to schools United States.

In such an important position Kalayaan will make sure that all people have the right to pursue their dreams, including her brother Malakas, who dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.

“It is important to dream because dreams give you a schedule for when you

19

Mr. Mohamud EAST AFRICAN

I dream that every human being can have a better life F

says eight-year-old Mr. Mohamud. He was born in Uganda, but his parents moved to Somalia when Mohamud was still a baby. Now they all call Alaska home, and we are fortunate, because Mohamud dreams of becoming the kindest businessman ever.

Mohamud still remembers his early years in Somalia. Men went to work. Women washed their clothes in the rivers, often speaking about America. After the else would play drums. Back in Somalia, people might have had little; but they had each other, and that made a difference.

Mohamud arrived in the US two years ago, not yet speaking English. Now he Mohamud arrives perfectly dressed as a successful businessman. Mohamud is emphatic that he does not want to be just any businessman; his dream is to be “the one who helps the people to build their houses, and the one who gives better life. When people have a house, clothes, and shoes they do their jobs, and

21

Miss Lourdez SAMOAN

Love of Hope Alofa i le Faamoemoe

W

hen a Samoan woman dances, she speaks with her body. Her hands move with delicacy, saying words in an ancient language. Miss Lourdez’s mother

Like many other Samoan girls, Lourdez is learning the language of dance passed down from her ancestors. She says that some of the traditional songs tell stories. “Sometimes the songs speak of how they are doing in the families, and Lourdez learned something else from her mom: to be a compassionate and kind human being. Sometimes Lourdez’s mother takes her to a soup kitchen to help.

There Lourdez has the privilege of serving desserts to homeless members of our community. “I feel happy to help the homeless; even if they are strangers, designer, but her plan is to handle her career in a way that allows her to help people in need.

“Once I dreamt that people surrounded me and I was telling them, ‘If you can in that dream Lourdez’s mother was looking at her from afar, as proud as little Lourdez was when she saw her mother dancing in the distance.

23

Mr. Abad MEXICAN AMERICAN

A dream can be your self-protection Un sueño puede ser tu protección

M

exico was the cradle of complex pre-Hispanic civilizations that bequeathed to Mexicans a heritage of architecture, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, social organization, and arts. The ancient city of Teotihuacan has one of the most majestic pre-Hispanic buildings, the Sun Pyramid, which is taller than a twentystory building. Whenever Mr. Abad climbs its 238 steps and looks down, he feels proud of his ancestors. “It feels great to be Mexican-American. It feels like you Abad is ten years old. He was born in Alaska and loves the snow. He enjoys playing soccer and has represented Alaska in tournaments out of state. He says he does his best in these matches because, “I want to give to Alaska what Alaska Abad believes that the crime rate could decrease in Anchorage if more people practiced sports. This thought inspired his dream. “When I grow up I would like to build a soccer school for kids who don’t have the money to pay, for kids who come from all over the world to Alaska. I will build my soccer school for them, so Abad knows that “a dream can inspire you; it can encourage you; it can be dreams his soccer school will bring so many good things to Anchorage!

25

Miss Suyana SOUTH AMERICAN

Make dreams into goals and try to achieve them Convierte tus sueĂąos en metas y trata de alcanzarlos

M

iss Suyana is a proud descendant of the Inca civilization. She is aware that her ancestors built enormous stone temples without using mortar; that they had a complex road system connecting land that today belongs to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina; and that they were great artists.

the Inca Empire. Suyana brings hope to her family, to Alaska, and to the world,

and to throw trash where nature belongs. Turtles eat plastic bags and die because Suyana believes that educating people would help, but “it would take a lot of time the environment. She says that dreaming to be a helper for nature is important “because when you are little you make your dreams into goals, and you try to

27

Mr. Sam HMONG

If I dream about my goals, I will have more faith in them Kev npau sauv thiab hom phiaj txhawb kuv li kev nsteeg

M

However, there is one dream that often lands in his mind and captures his imagination. When he grows up, Sam wants to own a restaurant. traditional food, especially khao poon.

Whenever Sam holds the noodles of khao poon with his chopsticks and gets ready to take a bite, it is because a beautiful ritual has happened at his house.

Saturdays or Sundays, Sam’s family invites people to come over for a party. Sam helps his mom cook. While she mixes the ingredients in the pot, Sam chops up he would like to offer khao poon and other Hmong dishes at his restaurant. earn a master’s degree, and then work in his restaurant with his family. Sam likes that dream so much that he has made it his own. Sometimes dreams spread their seeds and sprout in someone else’s heart, and that is true for Sam. He will have the largest Hmong restaurant in Anchorage, and will invite people from all ethnicities to come and enjoy his delicious khao poon. “They will really Sam says, acknowledging how important it is to be reciprocal when building a community.

“My dreams will help me to get to my goals, because if I dream about my goals restaurant opens.

29

Mr. Donald WEST AFRICAN

Dreams can help achieve goals Ura onome koza omi sano kovame

W

hen a Nigerian boy plays drums, the heart of the world knows it.

Suddenly, an unexpected chain of good things happens: someone sings, somebody else dances, someone falls in love, somebody else forgives… Such is the power of a Nigerian boy like Mr. Donald playing drums.

Donald is nine years old. He was born in Nigeria and he moved to Anchorage two years ago. When he grows up, Donald wants to become an engineer and build robots. He embraces this dream “because robots can do what people faster than any human can. So with the help of robots, people such as Donald can easily build homes for the homeless. Donald believes that dreams can help you achieve your goals, so he dreams of robots almost every day.

Donald’s favorite place in town is his school. He likes it there because “people who is helpful and kind can grow up to be helpful and kind themselves. Those people then spread that kindness further. And a chain of help and kindness can encircle the world!

Donald knows that his dream can become true. He is a Nigerian boy who plays drums, and has witnessed many times the unexpected good that his playing brings.

31

Miss Mcjhmiel FILIPINO

You can make the future look like what you dream Maaari mong gawin ang iyong hinaharap ayon sa iyong pangarap

N

ot long ago, Miss Mcjhmiel was playing videogames on her computer when she heard a gunshot. Something was happening on the streets and she became very scared. “My mom said, ‘Shut down your computer.’ I shut it down, What can a girl do with such a memory?

Mcjhmiel was born in the Philippines. Her family moved to the United States when she was four. Mcjhmiel remembers that in the Philippines she could swim bite her.

In America, besides going to school Mcjhmiel practices Tae Kwon Do every weekday. She has attained a red belt, and may earn a black belt soon. She has already won a few gold medals.

Mcjhmiel dreams of becoming a Tae Kwon Do champion. She says that martial arts can help make the world a better place because “when practicing Tae role in rising violence. Mcjhmiel explains that Tae Kwon Do has taught her to think of the consequences of her acts, and that often criminals do not stop to think of the aftereffects of what they do.

Ten-year-old Mcjhmiel dreams of living in a safe city. “I’ll help us have better you’re dreaming about the future, you can make the future look like what

33

Mr. Antony HISPANIC

If you believe, your dreams might become real Si crees en tus sueños, se pueden volver realidad

D

ominicans say that they learn to dance to merengue before they can walk. So when a Dominican family gets together, almost everyone dances. Eight-year-old Mr. Antony says that he enjoys merengue, “but I’m not Antony’s favorite person in the world is his dad, “because he is strong. He because he dreams of becoming a policeman when he grows up. parents called him inside the house, and later the bad guy was detained.

Since that day Antony has dreamt of having a safe city, so he wants to become a policeman. Antony says, “If you believe in your dreams, they We are sure he will be a great policeman. But wait! He also likes music. So guarantee a safe and happy city for all of us.

35

Miss Cristiana SAMOAN

Dreams give you hope for the future O miti e mauaina ai ni mana’onaoga mo le lumana’i “

W

become a professional photographer.

Cristiana’s parents were born in American Samoa, and like many Samoan contemplative girl.

She likes to go on hikes and share in the feast of nature: a robin perching on a branch; an unexpected squirrel climbing a tree; a ray of light seeping through the leaves. Perhaps the mountains are watching this daily dance and smiling as mountains do when they are happy.

Cristiana enjoys being a guest at this party, and she captures as much as she can with her phone’s camera. She says that being contemplative “can help Cristiana worries about violence. She explains that sometimes people are violent because they are mad, or perhaps because they were abused. But she knows that violence is not the solution. “I want to tell people that there is more than just staying at home; that they can go out and see how wonderful She dreams that her photos will make a difference for people in our

37

Mr. Noel FILIPINO HISPANIC

You have to work on your dreams. You dream and you work Debes trabajar en tus sueños.

Sueñas y trabajas / Kailangan mong pagsikapan and iyong mga pangarap

M

exicans and people with Mexican heritage remember their ancestors during the Day of the Dead celebration. On November 1st and 2nd they cover altars with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, portraits of the dead, and traditional food. The spirits of the ancestors are so pleased that they come visit their relatives, while the living remember them with joy.

Mr. Noel’s abuelita every year at her house, and the family comes over. Nine-year-old Noel remembers the gathering with a huge smile. He also says that his abuelita likes very much to cook Mexican food, and she does it just perfectly.

A bicultural child, Noel is proud of both his Mexican and Filipino heritage. lumpia and arroz caldo.

Noel is a kind child whose heart breaks every time he sees a homeless person.

He knows that “all people have a good side, and maybe if they weren’t Noel is aware that the solution for homelessness is not simple, but he wants to help. Noel dreams of becoming an engineer and building a shelter for Anchorage’s homeless community. ancestors—from both of his cultures—would be proud of him.

39

Miss Kapayuk IÑUPIAQ

Dreams make your life better Siññaktuutit iñuuniagnigiñ nakuunmuktillagaa

W

hen ten-year-old Miss Kapayuk goes to her grandma’s house, she often has beluga whale for dinner. Kapayuk is Iñupiaq; she was born in Barrow, and her grandparents there teach her the secrets of being Iñupiaq and living in the Arctic.

Kapayuk’s grandpa, for example, has taught her how to behave around wild animals. “You don’t run from a polar bear. You just slowly walk away, because the polar bear might chase you. If a bear sees you, you have to stay with your group. If you’re by yourself, you have to wave so that the polar bear thinks Grandma taught Kapayuk the polar bear dance, and the seal dance as well.

She also taught her that whale hunting is an important part of Iñupiaq culture.

Usually an elder woman is in charge of the land crew. She is the wisest, so everybody else follows her advice. The crew tries to kill the whale. If the whale gets away they try again until they get it. Then the crew drags the whale onto the shore.

Grandma and grandpa have shared so many meaningful secrets with Kapayuk that she dreams of becoming a writer. She dreams of writing beautiful things about her Iñupiaq heritage, but Kapayuk is also concerned about the future.

“There are so many things to think about, like how people could live on earth Kapayuk is a thoughtful girl who carefully observes the world and seeks to grasp its secrets. Books light her way to such a deep understanding, and so do Books can serve that purpose too.

41

Bouquet of Dreams

Left to right: Miss Eva, Mr. Jezekiah, Miss Tiersten, Mr. Shaun, Miss Nia, Miss Olga, Mr. Ezekiel, and Miss Imman.

“I dream of becoming an astronaut.

I want go to Saturn, and bring back all that stuff in the museum. Also, I Miss Imman, Northeast African “I dreamt of a pool that you could visit for free. I dream of a world where you can do fun

“Dream big, work hard, and your Miss Olga, Hispanic

Miss Eva, Hmong

“Usually when I make a mistake during the day and I dream of it, I like to change it. Dreams give you Miss Nia, African-American “For some reason my grandma

Miss Tiersten, Athabascan “Dreams help you make goals, and you can try to accomplish Mr. Shaun, Hmong

“I dream of discovering dinosaurs.

I would like to discover a T-Rex, which is the king of the dinosaurs.

If I were a big dinosaur, let’s say a T-Rex, I would be nice to other dinosaurs. Being nice to each other helps make this world a better Mr. Ezekiel, Filipino-Samoan

43

Whose dream is this?

Gabriela Olmos & Shirley Mae Springer Staten

T

he Eyes Closed Project began with two women in a coffee shop. As they spoke, a dream began to take shape. Dreams are contagious, and they grow whenever they are shared. The women worked together for a year, fueled by the power of their dream. Today, with the Eyes Closed exhibit and book, the dream they shared in the coffee shop has become real. And now these women are planning to embark on new dreams, because that is what they love to do.

MEET THESE WOMEN

Shirley Mae Springer Staten

Gabriela Olmos

Shirley Mae has many years of experience with multicultural artistic projects. She is the author of a children’s book, a teacher, a motivational speaker, an organizer, and a recording artist.

Gabriela Olmos has written and published 12 children’s books in Mexico and one in Canada.

She has written articles for periodicals in Mexico, France, and the United States.

Ms. Staten left Moultrie, Georgia at age 17 to work as a VISTA Volunteer in New Mexico and a teaching assistant in Los Angeles. Three summers of work in Fairbanks brought her to Alaska, and she moved to Anchorage in 1981.

For 17 years, Gabriela worked for Mexico’s largest art magazine, Artes de Mexico, and for 10 of those years she was its Deputy Director. She was the founding editor of Sol de Medianoche, Alaska’s Hispanic newspaper; she edited this periodical for two years.

As an actress and keynote speaker, Shirley Mae has impacted many lives, weaving stories and songs to inspire women in prison, disadvantaged youth, young Native women, UAA graduate students, Anchorage School District teachers, and women across the world.

Shirley Mae has worked on the international stage as the Cultural Events Coordinator for the United Nations/NGO Women’s Conference in New York and Beijing. She developed and organized groups traveling to the International Women’s Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. She organized the One World International Choir’s tours to Cuba and China. And she led a visit by Anchorage students to Ghana.

Ms. Staten traveled across the Soviet Union with the Alaska Performing Artists for Peace. She has performed at the French Embassy in Djibouti and at the American Embassy in Ethiopia. She has given concerts in China, Cuba, Europe, India, and South America.

Shirley Mae holds an Associate’s Degree in Human Services, a B.A. in Human Resource Development, and a M.S. in Spiritual Psychology, University of Santa Monica, California.

Gabriela has curated art exhibits shown in Mexico, Japan, France, Canada, and the United States.

She has served on boards for international cultural organizations. She has taught collegelevel classes, given lectures and participated in roundtables on art and culture in Mexico, Peru, France, Spain, and the United States.

Gabriela holds a B.A. in Communication for the Iberoamericana University, and a M.Ph. in Critical Theory for 17, Institute of Critical Studies, both in Mexico City.

RECOGNITIONS In 2009 Gabriela was the Mexican government’s nominee for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. Her books have been chosen for public education programs in Mexico, and they have been selected twice in the A Leer / IBBY Mexico Guide, which features the best children’s books in Mexico. In 2016, The Latino Author chose Gabriela’s book I Dreamt to lead its list of the top ten books of the year.

RECOGNITIONS Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities, First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year Award, Women’s Hall of Fame, Athena Society Member, Mayor’s Arts Awards, Anchorage YWCA Women of Achievement Award, Honor Kempton Award for Service to Humanity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Distinguished Citizens Award, Alaska Black Caucus Community Service Award, Interior Alaska Ecumenical Peace with Justice Council Peacemakers Award, Alaska State Legislature: Two Citations for Advancing the Causes of Humanity.

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sprang from the vision of the Executive Director, Shirley Mae Springer Staten, who has more than 30 years of experience in community building, project development, and cross-cultural immersion program administration. Keys to Life’s goal is to increase understanding, appreciation, and respect for our diverse community. Keys to Life’s board members all have vast knowledge and success in our community in both the business and the cross-cultural realms.

Mission Statement Keys to Life is dedicated to empowering, creating, and strengthening an inclusive community through rich arts and cross-cultural experiences.

Vision Statement We envision an Alaska with increased awareness of our diversity. We envision a state where voices are empowered through storytelling, music, dance, and deepening conversations. We imagine a community where opportunities for meaningful crosscultural interactions and learning based on our shared human experiences abound.

We see a place where individuals are at home in their own cultures within the larger Alaska community, and feel valued, respected, and central to the community’s identity and well-being.

Projects to Date Camp Kaleidoscope Anchorage Cultural Summit Community Cross-Cultural Dinners and Conversations Cultural Storytelling Festivals Eyes Closed Hiland Mountain Correctional Center Lullaby Project International Virtual Dinner More information at: www.keystolifealaska.com

Thank You To the parents of the children for Eyes Closed Project, thank you for raising such good human beings and sharing their stories with our community.

Keys to Life Board Members

Supporters

Anchorage School District

Kaleem Nuriddin Patricia Partnow Amber Frizzell Druff P’fanner Kathy Atkinson Carol Waters Bill Allen

Alaska Literacy Project Anchorage Loussac Library Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center Foraker Group

Dr. Deena Bishop, Superintendent

Funders Alaska Humanities Forum Alaska State Council for the Arts Rasmuson Foundation Brummel Family Trust Credit Union 1 Geneva Woods Midwifery CARTA

Mountain View Library Municipality of Anchorage Amy Coffman Darrell Hess Lauren Horn Bhree Roumagoux

Glen Nielsen Marcus Wilson Michael Webb, Airport Heights Elementary Principal Leslie Hannam, Airport Heights Elementary Librarian Principals and staff at the following schools Alaska Native Charter Mountain View Fairview Susitna

Geneva Woods Midwifery