<editorial board> March 2009 EXCO Newsletter

Tue Mar 17 05:03:26 CET 2009

*March 2009 EXCO Newsletter*

*In this issue: *
*Facilitator Workshop #2: Facilitate an EXCO class!*
*Teach a class this summer with EXCO!**
Join us on Facebook
**March 1 EXCO Night*
*EXCO Spring Showcase and Awards Night*
*Class Profile: Dakota Solidarity*
*Check out these classes starting soon!*
*Get involved*

*Facilitator Workshop #2: Facilitate an EXCO class!*
Thursday, March 19th from 7-8:30PM
Hamline-Midway Library in St. Paul (1558 West Minnehaha Ave)

Open to all facilitators past, present, or FUTURE!!
This workshop/discussion will cover all the basics of facilitating an EXCO
class!

* If you've always wanted to facilitate a class, but are a bit confused
about the process, or just want to know more, this event is for you!
* If you just heard about EXCO and are looking for more information before
you dive in to facilitating, this event is for you!
* If you are a current or past facilitator looking for some useful
strategies and tips or just wanted to discuss your experience with other
facilitators, this event is for you!

The workshop will be a combination of facilitated discussion and how to
tutorials on everything from filling out the application, to using the
website, to setting the tone for a good and productive class.

If you have input on things YOU would like to talk about on Thursday send an
email to me at rosenblum34 at gmail.com and I will try to work it into the
agenda.

Last, but not least, some light snacks will be served!!
*Aaron Rosenblum

**Teach a class this summer with EXCO!*
It’s not too early to start thinking about teaching a class with EXCO this
summer!  EXCO is always looking for new facilitators. Classes may take place
anywhere around the Twin Cities, we strongly encourage you to find space in
your neighborhood such as at your local library, community center, coffee
shop, conference rooms, etc.  Contact us with ideas or questions:
excotc at gmail.com, 651-696-8010.  We look forward to talking to you! *The
deadline for summer facilitator applications is May 29.  *(See the attached
application).**

*Join us on Facebook***
Check out our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2412587597
•    Join the community and see who else is involved
•    Add to discussions about what EXCO means to you, what classes you’d
like to see in the future, what you have to offer, and more
•    View photos from EXCO events and classes
•    Hear about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities

*March 1 EXCO Night*
Thanks to all of the bands that performed at the March EXCO Night: Old Man
Orville, Nancy Drew Crew, and Best Friends Forever.  And thanks to everyone
that came out to support EXCO!  There was a great turnout and some great
collages made in the class crafting zone!  Stay tuned to see these ideas
turned into reality!  Attached are some pictures from the evening.  See more
on our Facebook page.

*EXCO Spring Showcase and Awards Night*
We sincerely hope you will join us for the upcoming April EXCO Night, our
first ever EXCO Showcase and Awards Night.  We are looking for classes or
individuals that would be interested in participating in the showcase:
dance, theater, music, food, whatever you and/or your class can contribute!
Contact us by April 3 if you’d like to be involved in some way:
excotc at gmail.com.

Other things to look forward to at the Showcase:
*All EXCO participants will receive a certificate of completion
*Get your picture taken with the giant EXCO letters
*Get your very own EXCO button
*Celebrate the end of this EXCO session!

More details to come- we hope you will join us for this exciting event!

*Class Announcement: Dakota Solidarity- Return Coldwater Springs*
Hello to those acting in solidarity with the Dakota Nation:

I'm writing to ask you for your solidarity in the struggle to return
Coldwater Springs to the Dakota Nation.  Please sign the petition linked
below, and post a comment on the national park website. These two - minute
gestures, if widespread, will help to illustrate the power and support
behind Dakota communities as they struggle to have regain this particularly
sacred part of their ancestral homelands.

Background and Updates on the Coldwater situation: Coldwater Springs is the
most sacred place on earth to the Dakota people. It is the site of the
Dakota genesis story. It is also the site of the genocidal concentration
camp that followed the US - Dakota war of 1862. This land has been fenced
off, polluted, scattered with abandoned buildings for many many years, under
holding by the Department of the Interior: Bureau of mines. Now, finally,
the bureau of mines is going to clean up and transfer the land out of their
possession. The National Park Service is trying to take over the land, with
interest in turning it into a tourist attraction and "historic site." Dakota
people and their allies see this as a further act of colonization within a
long history of genocide and the violent domination of Dakota land, people,
culture and history. If the National Park gains control of the land, the
Dakota will not have access to the site on their own terms. Dakota people
have been denied the ability to hold ceremony on this most sacred site since
colonization, and if the Park service takes the land, this denial and
colonization will be reaffirmed once again.

On February 23rd, Dakota people took over the "community" meeting set up by
the Park Board to marginalize Dakota voice. There is a one-month comment
period following this meeting, in which (you!) allies to Dakota people are
strongly encouraged to let the NPS hear their opinions.

Here, with our voices, we can send a message to the government that the
Dakota Nation stands strong with many allies. There will be future
opportunities to continually show solidarity in other ways, but for now,
please sign the petition below, and post a comment on the National Park
Service website, linked below. On the NPS website, please make sure to
mention:

                    - Restoration of Coldwater Springs means restoration of
Dakota rights to the land
                    - The federal government must clean up the land before
returning it to the Dakota

To sign the petition to get the site returned:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/return-coldwater-springs-to-the-dakota

File a public comment with the National Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A+%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV_ZEFLHE
&r=/miss/parkmgmt/bomcurr.htm<http://www.nps.gov/MWR/sendmail.htm?o=11HS%28J%2A+%3AH%3BJ%3BFQV_ZEFLHE%20>

Thank You!
*Paper Buck, Dakota Decolonization: Solidarity Education for Allies EXCO
facilitator*
*

**Check out these classes starting soon*
*Basic Songwriting *starts March 24, check the website for details and to
register today!
*
Universal Verbal Language: Tracks of the Infinite on the Human Race *
March 26, 7-9pm Room 1200, first floor Helland Center MCTC 1501 Hennepin
Ave.

*Get involved*
EXCO is a 100% volunteer-run organization.  Donate what you can in time or
money to keep this amazing project and community alive.  We have a number of
volunteer opportunities and ways for you to get involved.  Get in touch:
excotc at gmail.com, 651.696.8010.  Thanks for your support.  When you act,
EXCO grows!

*Happy Spring!
Callie and the EXCO Organizing Team*

www.excotc.org
excotc at gmail.com
651.696.8010

EXCO: The Experimental College of the Twin Cities
Where everyone can teach or take classes and all classes are free!
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