Apr/May/Jun 2 1ofof4 4 Jan/Feb/Mar 2013 2011 Spring Spring Newsletter, Newsletter,Volume Volume18, 16,Issue Issue
Author, Poet Sherman Alexie Speaks to Youth and Elders By Leah Gibson, Grants & Communications Coordinator On Tuesday, March 12, Native American author Sherman Alexie (Coeur d’Alene) met with NAYA Family Center’s Early College Academy youth and elders. “Having Alexie share his life and his educational path was a powerful experience for our students and community to hear,” says Executive Director Matt Morton (Squaxin Island). Alexie told the audience funny, and sometimes heartbreaking, stories of his childhood growing up in Wellpinit, reservation life, college human anatomy coursework, alcoholism in his family and idenity. “He’s a funny guy, but he’s also teaching you through his stories,” says Elder Linda Meanus (Warm Springs). Alexie’s visit to NAYA Family Center, as well as his lecture later that evening at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, was part of a program through Multnomah County Library called “Everybody Reads.” Staff from Literary Arts reached out to NAYA Family Center and facilitated the events.
Alexie is the author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Reservation Blues and War Dances.
PPS Board Votes to Support NAYA Generations Project By Oscar Arana, Director of Development & Strategic Communications
The project is based on a similar project in the Portsmouth neighborhood, Bridge Meadows, which operates on the former Ball Elementary School site and was developed by Guardian Management. Guardian is also developing the Generations project.
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NAYA Family Center is a step closer to providing intergenerational housing and early learning services through its Generations project. Portland Public Schools board voted 4–0 to enter a lease agreement with the City of Portland, which will allow NAYA to redevelop and sublease Foster Elementary School (which is currently not providing services). NAYA plans to develop approximately 40 units of housing designed for Native families and Elders wanting to adopt foster children. The plan also includes developing an early learning center on the same site. “This project is going to directly benefit some of the most vulnerable children and Elders in our community,” says Rey España, NAYA’s director of community development. “We will create a sense of permanency in the lives of children who experience the most housing instability.” NAYA executive director and PPS board member, Matt Morton, abstained from the vote.