Words of The People hosts Indigenous Language Creative Writing Workshops as well as Native women-led Rematriation workshops in Tulsa, OK. As land-connected women have worked to define Rematriation, it is to return the sacred to the mother, and comprises a complimentary practice to the Land Back movement. To receive info on workshop schedules and sign up info, subscribe to our newsletter:
The Words of the People gathering supports Indigenous languages through writing and storytelling, and brings together speakers to gain practice in their languages.
"Those who are writing in their Indigenous languages and providing translations are leaders of Indigenous poetry." -Catapult interview
About
WORDS OF THE PEOPLE is a gathering in Tulsa supporting indigenous language writers to develop their creative writing through workshops in a genre of their choice: fiction, poetry, non-fiction or translation. Immersion activities provided by linguists and community revitalizers focus on growing fluency to move indigenous languages toward vitality.
THE GATHERING PLACE is in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma at Archer Studios and Fulton Street Books for open mic events.
COLLABORATORS include the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and the Tulsa Artist Fellowship (TAF). Abalone Mountain Press is among our publishing partners. Attendees can apply for a travel scholarship to receive funding. Apply now here.
The People
INDIGENOUS WRITERS from tribal communities practice, preserve, and support language revitalization through creative writing. Words of the People has scholarships and stipends available.
FUTURE GENERATIONS will receive the gift of growing domains of use and vitality for Indigenous languages. The purpose of writing and publishing in indigenous languages is to support robust survivance of languages.
ANCESTORS have carried the languages which living Native writers stand to inherit and use to inspire the future of writing. Writing published in indigenous languages centers tribal cultures and communities.
Past Schedules
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022
8:30-9 a.m.
Coffee & Snacks From Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge
WORKSHOPS
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Oral Tradition & Contemporary Poetry, Zêdan Xelef | IN PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Walking the Idea, Breaking Ground, and Places in Time, Laura Da’ | DIGITAL: Register.
Lunch
12 p.m.
Sandwiches, Fruits and Snacks | IN-PERSON.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
12:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Creative Process of the Heart, Inés Hernández-Avila | DIGITAL: Register.
IMMERSION SESSIONS & CRAFT TALKS
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dr. Mongrain Lookout and Bill Hamm | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/99188555782
Meeting ID: 991 8855 5782
WELCOME ADDRESS
6-7 p.m.
Phillip Cash Cash at TAF Flagship | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/94171638764
Meeting ID: 941 7163 8764
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022
8:30-9 a.m.
Coffee & Snacks From Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge
WORKSHOPS
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Oral Tradition & Contemporary Poetry, Zêdan Xelef | IN PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Walking the Idea, Breaking Ground, and Places in Time, Laura Da’ | DIGITAL: Register.
Lunch
12 p.m.
Sandwiches, Fruits and Snacks | IN-PERSON.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
12:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Creative Process of the Heart, Inés Hernández-Avila | DIGITAL: Register.
2-3 p.m.
Phillip Cash Cash | IN PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/95372129446
Meeting ID: 953 7212 9446
3-4 p.m.
Zêdan Xelef in Conversation with Chelsea T. Hicks | IN PERSON & DIGITAL
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/95372129446
Meeting ID: 953 7212 9446
FACULTY READING
6-7:30 p.m.
At TAF Flagship Space with Whitty Books | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Zêdan Xelef, Laura Da’, Chelsea T. Hicks, Shook
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/96805868237
Meeting ID: 968 0586 8237
Friday, Oct. 28, 2022
8:30-9 a.m.
Coffee & Snacks From Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge
WORKSHOPS
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Literature for our Speakers, Ofelia Zepeda | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
Ná’iiłná: Writing from Listening & Memory, Manny Loley | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
Form/Beauty/Grammar: Writing from Indigenous Languages, Beth Piatote | DIGITAL: Register.
Walking the Idea, Breaking Ground, and Places in Time, Laura Da’ | DIGITAL: Register.
Lunch
12 p.m.
Sandwiches, Fruits and Snacks | IN-PERSON.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP
12:30 – 2 p.m.
Bät Riting, “Good” Translations, and the Myth of Accuracy, Shook | email to sign up
IMMERSION SESSIONS & CRAFT TALKS
2-3 p.m.
Ofelia Zepeda | IN PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/94132537178
Meeting ID: 941 3253 7178
3-4 p.m.
My Breath Is Rain Essence: Voice and the Natural World, Manny Loley | IN PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/94132537178
Meeting ID: 941 3253 7178
FACULTY READING
6-7:30 p.m.
At TAF Flagship Space with Whitty Books | IN-PERSON/DIGITAL.
Manny Loley, Shook, Phillip Cash Cash, Ofelia Zepeda
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/93443713678
Meeting ID: 934 4371 3678
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022
8:30-9 a.m.
Coffee & Snacks From Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge
WORKSHOPS
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Literature for our Speakers, Ofelia Zepeda | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
Ná’iiłná: Writing from Listening & Memory, Manny Loley | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL: Register.
Form/Beauty/Grammar: Writing from Indigenous Languages, Beth Piatote | DIGITAL: Register.
Walking the Idea, Breaking Ground, and Places in Time, Laura Da’ | DIGITAL: Register.
Lunch
12 p.m.
Sandwiches, Fruits and Snacks | IN-PERSON.
PUBLISHER PRESENTATIONS
2-2:30 p.m.
Amber McCrary, Abalone Mountain Press | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/96379865255
Meeting ID: 963 7986 5255
2:30-3:00 p.m.
Hyphen Reads, Unnamed Press, FIIK//BOOKS, Phoneme Media | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/96379865255
Meeting ID: 963 7986 5255
3-4 p.m.
Publisher Resources Visit Session | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/96379865255
Meeting ID: 963 7986 5255
FINAL THANK-YOU DINNER & STUDENT READING
5-8 p.m.
Dinner at Tulsa University in the Alan Chapman Student Union | IN-PERSON.
6-8:30 p.m.
Student Reading, Alan Chapman Student Union | IN-PERSON & DIGITAL.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iaia-edu.zoom.us/j/96593862851
Meeting ID: 965 9386 2851
9 p.m.
Parting Blessing (Cedar and Prayer)
Resources
From Dr. Phillip Cash Cash’s craft talk: https://theways.org.
The Philbrook Museum of Art offers Words of the People attendees the opportunity to peruse their archives, which contain correspondence by and between various artists. To take advantage of this, please go to the Philbrook and ask for Christina Burke, who will show you to the archives.
Resources from Unnamed Press and Hyphen Reads:
Publicity Best Practices & Strategy for Unnamed Press
Unnamed Press Submission Guidelines
Hyphen Reads Books Call for Submissions and First Publications
Updates
- WTP SpecialHawe, Greetings to all. Words of the People has sought further funding, widely, for future gatherings. While awaiting funding, the Tulsa Artist Fellowship will support two small workshops, which are free and open to the public. Because of the broadContinue reading “WTP Special”
- Student ReadingHello Nikashi, Nikashi means “people” in Wazhazhe ie, and I’d like to invite all you Nikashi to enjoy our final student reading tonight from 6-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. You are also invited to attend in person at Tulsa University, withContinue reading “Student Reading”
- Welcome to Words of the People!Hawe Zani: Welcome to Words of the People, beginning tomorrow morning at Archer Studios, 109 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tulsa, OK 74103. Complementary coffee and pastries from Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge will be available starting at 8:30 a.m.Continue reading “Welcome to Words of the People!”
Words of the People 