Talking Circle
The Talking Circle is a group of concerned individuals with the mission of promoting open-dialogue discussion and events related to American Indian issues and culture. Open to all members of the St. Olaf community, the Talking Circle promotes healthy conversation and events focusing on the inclusion of indigenous peoples as a diverse and meaningful contribution to St. Olaf College and a global society.The Talking Circle, a highly interactive communication method, is an element many Native American communities use. It provides participants with the tools to develop stronger communication skills, define their individual roles in the community, and strengthen their spirituality.
Talking Circle highlights the four elements one needs to have in a relationship: honesty, respect, trust and communication. You must be willing to look inside of yourself and be willing to share with other people. The purpose of the Talking Circle methodology is to allow for multiple perspectives and interpretations to emerge. Participants are encouraged to speak and act for themselves in a context that allows for a lessening of hierarchal and institutional constraints. A range and variety of views are openly raised and discussed so that participants may critically evaluate and accommodate them in the context of their own knowledge bases.
Officers:
Co-chairs: Alisha Woodson and Taryn Manthey-Logan
Harambee representative: Jamie Mosel
DCC representative: Zach Pietryla
Meeting Time: Thursdays at 8pm in MACO
Past Events:
Native American Weeks in October/November
