November 2022 Newsletter
Visit the Cultural Celebrations Page for this month and others for upcoming events, professional development panels, academic resources, and more!
November is Indigenous People’s Month!
“The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.” – White Elk
The Lenapehoking (Lenni-Lenape) are the people native to the Philadelphia territory where we reside, work, or attend school. Today, one of the ways we try to honor the native people of this area is in a land acknowledgement. Why are land acknowledgments important? Part of equity work involves knowing our history, especially when we discuss marginalized populations who have historically been mistreated. A land acknowledgment is a formal way to recognize the Indigenous peoples who have come before you, and who were often violently removed from their land due to colonization. This is a small, but vital, first step in acknowledging our difficult histories.
Below you will find the standard land acknowledgment used when trying to honor an event holding space on Lenapehoking land.
“The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.” The Lenape People lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years. During the colonial era and early federal period, many were removed west and north, but some also remain among the continuing historical tribal communities of the region: The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation; the Ramapough Lenape Nation; and the Powhatan Renape Nation, The Nanticoke of Millsboro Delaware, and the Lenape of Cheswold Delaware. We acknowledge the Lenni-Lenape as the original people of this land and their continuing relationship with their territory. In our acknowledgment of the continued presence of Lenape people in their homeland, we affirm the aspiration of the great Lenape Chief Tamanend, that there be harmony between the indigenous people of this land and the descendants of the immigrants to this land, “as long as the rivers and creeks flow, and the sun, moon, and stars shine.”
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is happy to recognize and uplift these voices this month and every other. Below you will find guides to exploring and using land acknowledgments no matter where you are or where you are from.
November Events & Happenings
SDP Transgender Remembrance Coffee House
Wednesday, November 16th from 4-6pm at District Central Office (440 N. Broad St.)
The School District of Philadelphia’s Equity Coalition invites students, staff, and families to celebrate Transgender Awareness Week at our Transgender Remembrance Coffee House event.
There will be an open mic space with performances that affirm and acknowledge the transgender experience. Bring a family member or a friend and join us for an evening dedicated to lifting transgender visibility and power!
CALLING ALL TALENT: An open mic/stage will be held for anyone in attendance who wants to share or perform. Some examples we are looking for:
- Speakers to share words of empowerment and love
- Singers
- Dancers
- Artists/Musicians
- Storytellers
- Poets
Interested in attending or performing? Please RSVP HERE
Indigenous Organizers for Justice
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Building on organizational efforts to form unions in the 1920s, Indigenous labor leaders in Central America–particularly women–created schools in the 1940s to teach their communities to read and write in Spanish to be able to read, understand, and defend their political and social rights. In the 1960s they recorded oral histories, printed books and visual images, and championed local leaders as icons for the next generation. Indigenous labor organizers in Ecuador have continued to assert the power of Indigenous expertise on issues of class and cultural resistance, nationalism, and environmental justice?
Teachers can register via Cornerstone. Everyone else can sign up via the google form.
Groceries 4 Philly
Sunday, November 20th 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Groceries for Philly is back just in time for the holidays and we will be partnering with the Citizen’s Congress of Nicetown Organization at Stenton Playground to give away groceries, including Turkey. Come join us in Nicetown on November 20th from 12 – 2. We’ll also need volunteers and donations so please support by heading to the link on the flyer. . Note: We hope to be done by 2 and realize that the Eagles will be playing that day beginning at 1. We hope that you can still join us right before the holiday to help families get the groceries that they need.
Interested in Volunteering? Sign up Here
DEI Office Updates
Podcast Updates
Listen to our latest Podcast Episodes From this Month:
Equity Snapshots: The Gender Binary & Socialization of Gender Norms/Sexual Orientation-Equity Is Episode Ep. 8
On this episode of Equity Is- Equity Snapshots we continue our discussions on Oppressive Thematic Ideologies that our Equity Training Specialists will be providing trainings on throughout the year. We are joined by Dylan Van Duyne who will offer some terminology, misconconceptions, and ways to learn more about The Gender Binary and Socializtion of Gender Norms and Sexual Orientation.
Equity Is Special Episode- International Day of Peace with Parkway Northwest- Equity Is Episode 7
Peace Day was September 21st and the United Nations theme for the year is: End racism. Build peace. Schools across the district have found ways to honor the day, but staff from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, myself included, were invited to join Parkway Northwest High School in their celebration.
ETS Corner: Spotlighting Schools & Programs Picked by our Team!
Hasani’s School Shoutout: John Bartram High School
The School District of Philadelphia has received a $1 million dollar grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to address youth violence. This award will be used to fund implementation of the Youth Violence Reduction Initiative at John Bartram High School. Bartram is committed to fostering a student-centered learning environment that shapes well-rounded and holistically educated life-long learners who are passionate, productive and persevere to their fullest potential as they inherit the 21st century. The school was selected based on existing issues of violence in the community. The program is intended to reduce fatal and non-fatal shootings in the community surrounding the school and gang-involvement among students, while also improving attendance and overall academic achievement.
Michelle K.’s School Shoutout: Constitution High School
African American History teacher Brittni Jennings, is using her classroom as a space for students to lead discussions on contemporary issues and topics like black identity. Students bring in their own visuals, supporting materials, and create discussion questions to have meaningful conversations about topics close to students. Jennings is one of 60 recipients in Philadelphia schools this year of the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching
Check out these articles on the work going on in this Constitution High Classroom:
Ervin’s School Shoutout: Frankford High School
Frankford High School is doing some amazing things. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month students and staff put a video together “I love my culture because….”
In Case You Missed It!
Latinx Heritage & LGBTQIA+ Identity- Intersectionality Panel
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion decided to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and LGBTQ History Month by exploring the intersection between these identities. We are joined by incredible people within the community who share their experiences and the work their organizations are doing to uplift these marginalized communities. The group shares struggles they have experienced, resources and advice for those exploring their intersecting identities, and express the joy of finding their community.
International Day of Peace- Living Poetry Reading
In honor of International Day of Peace which was September 21st. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion collaborated with Peace Day Philly to connect a school in Costa Rica with a school in Philadelphia, and read poetry. This year’s International Day of Peace theme was “Stop Racism. Build Peace.” In honor of that the students prepared poems and art that aligned with this message.
Recent Comments