Visiting writer Karen V. Hansen gave a writing workshop for us yesterday from 2-4pm. Hansen is in the region to talk about her recently published book Encounter on the Great Plains: Scandinavian Settlers and the Dispossession of Dakota Indians. Hansen, a professor of women's and gender studies at Brandeis University, was moved to research this topic because her grandmother, an immigrant from Norway, was one of many Norwegian settlers who homesteaded on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. Hansen conducted scores of interviews and transcribed 70 oral history narratives from archival sources in doing research for this book. In the writing workshop, we listened to one of her interviews with a 105-year-old Norwegian immigrant, saw the transcript of this interview, and read the section in her book where she incorporated this material. Hansen talked about her writing process and answered questions about approaches to interviewing people. She also led us through a writing activity based on sociologist Sara Lawrence Lightfoot's conception of the art and science of portraiture. We wrote a description of a family member and shared it with the group for feedback.
A leadership meeting was held on Sunday, October 3 from 4-5pm, attended by Kim Rensch, Angie Hase, Karen Taylor, Olivia Edwardson, and Kelly Sassi. Olivia Edwardson shared a tentative date for a teacher workshop on how to promote the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and enter student work through the online system. It is scheduled tentatively for October 28th at the Plains Art Museum--details forthcoming. Angie is working on details for our winter writing retreat. Kim is both leading the writing group and providing Saturday morning writing prompts. Karen Taylor is preparing for the Assignments Matter meeting in November.
Monday, October 5th noon-1pm Mandan Room. NDSU Memorial Union. Hansen will speak with Michael Yellowbird and Louis Garcia on a panel about settler colonialism. Monday evening, she will speak at Breckenridge Publich Library at 6:30pm about her work.
Tuesday, October 6th. 6:30-7:30pm. Karen V. Hansen will be speaking at the Sons of Norway about her book.
Saturday, October 9th. 9am. Atomic Coffee on Broadway in Fargo. First meeting of the RRVWP Writing Group, led by Kim Rensch.
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