Grown in Spokane Native Flora and Fauna are influencing the Spokane area
May ‘21
Greetings! My name is Bailley Wootton, and I serve as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Gonzaga’s Center for Community Engagement. Through this role, I have the opportunity to partner with community members and organizations in support of our vision to foster a thriving community, developing partnerships that are responsive to community-identified priorities and grounded in mutuality and respect. As we enter into the summer months, we are reminded of the beauty that surrounds us in the Inland Northwest and our connection to place. As a community we continue to explore what it means to be of a place and the many relationships place holds – social, historical, ecological, and more. We honor that this place where Northeast Spokane and Gonzaga are situated are the homelands of the Spokane Tribal People – their unceded, ancestral and spiritual homeland. In this issue, we will learn more about efforts to connect the study of local indigenous plants to the history of the land. We will also share updates on emerging partnerships and projects across Northeast Spokane. We are grateful for partners who have shared their time and experience with our students, staff, and faculty - informing and shaping several projects this year. We invite you to read about partnerships and projects that have come together this year, and to look ahead with us to what’s on the horizon: Professors Laura Truitt and Lena Lopez-Schindler introduce you to the Logan Neighborhood mural, a beautiful depiction of native plants and species that welcomes our community into the Logan Neighborhood. A team of Environmental Studies students share their experience collaborating with the Spokane Tribal Language Program, Washington State Department of Transportation, and others to advance plans and preparations for the long-envisioned Children of the Sun Trail.
Through the Cincinnati Greenway Project, Dr. Rhonda Young and her students explain the role of civil engineering and urban design to connect people and place together, advocating for equitable infrastructure in communities. We’re introduced to 10 Gonzaga students who will be participating in the Opportunity Northeast Summer Fellows program, supporting youth programs and access to fresh food in our community this summer. Each of us come to this work with a unique set of gifts. Whether it is through your time, feedback and perspective, education of our students, or resources, we are so appreciative and grateful that you’ve chosen to share your gifts with us.
BAILLEY WOOTTON, MSW
Director of Strategic Partnerships, Center for Community Engagement Gonzaga University
BUILDING INSIDE AND OUT
The Gonzaga Family Haven is a Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington affordable housing community currently under construction in the Logan Neighborhood. The vision is to provide up to 73 families with long-term supportive housing. Families who have experienced homelessness and family separation will receive wrap-around social supports and educational programs that allow them to thrive. The project includes a unique partnership involving Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington (CCEW), Gonzaga University, Gonzaga Preparatory School, and additional educational and social service partners. Over the past six months, partners have met to develop educational and enrichment programs for the Gonzaga Family Haven with a focus on early childhood programming, enrichment programs for youth, and educational and community-building programming for adults and families. In a desire to develop programming that is both resident-informed and adapted to the unique interests and needs of Haven families, a series of conversations was conducted this march with the Gonzaga Family Haven service providers, CCEW case managers, CCEW Rising Strong staff, and current Rising Strong and Haven residents. The purpose of these conversations is threefold: 1) To identify the types of programs residents would find of interest and of benefit to themselves, their family, and the broader Gonzaga Family Haven community; 2) To identify the strengths and assets that Gonzaga Family Haven residents will bring into this community that can be shared and developed; and 3) To identify both the opportunities and barriers to sustained resident and family engagement. From these interviews numerous themes emerged around programming that residents and case managers found to be the most valuable. Recovery groups ranked the highest, followed by summer programming and mindfulness activities. Skill-based activities and health care access ranked towards the lower end. In regards to strengths and assets, residents spoke to their care, love, generosity, and compassion. CCEW staff and service providers also shared that residents had much to offer one another. Residents hold a unique understanding of where each other have come from, they have a wide range of experiences from diverse jobs to finding creative ways to navigate systems and find resources, and are seen as community-oriented and natural community builders. Parental stress and significant trauma were identified as barriers. Residents shared that some of the challenges they face are judgment by others, mental health challenges, lack of a support system, negative influences, and being challenged to balance everything. CCEW staff and service providers shared that trust is central to involving and engaging families. They need to be invited in to share their voice and perspective, but their voice and time need to be valued (and compensated). If trust and a sense of community are built, residents will be more interested and invested in engagement. Residents shared that they are interested in leading activities like facilitating peer groups, mentoring each other, teaching cooking or gardening classes. One individual also shared that they would like their voice to be used for good. Understanding and love also were shared as important to making individuals and families feel a part of the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENTS ADVANCE CHILDREN OF THE SUN TRAIL
The long-envisioned Children of the Sun Trail was on the receiving end of focused student work this past semester thanks to four Environmental Studies students at Gonzaga. Seniors Isabel Zimmerman, Zeb Klement, Will Rettig and Angie Balish collaborated with the Spokane Tribal Language Program, the Washington State Department of Transportation and others to advance plans and preparations for the paved trail planned alongside the new north-south freeway. The initiative highlights tribal names and use of local indigenous plants and connects trail users with the history of the land and the first people who lived here. The project also aims to properly integrate native plants alongside the trail, increasing biodiversity to benefit wildlife, environmental sustainability, and to encourage a healthy, functioning, self-sustaining ecosystem. The students proposed a digital storytelling model along the 10.5 miles trail, accessed by QR codes placed strategically to explain adjacent plantings. They identified specific plants to include, offering a common name, scientific name, and Salish name (the language of the Tribe). Twenty-two native plants were identified, in collaboration with the Spokane Tribal Language program. Two extended garden areas have been proposed as well. The first, at Wildhorse Park in the Minnehaha neighborhood, is a place of convergence (historically and currently), that offers compelling views of Mount Spokane, which was used by the Tribe for hunting and to gather berries. It has been suggested that students at Shaw Middle School can potentially manage these gardens on an ongoing basis – offering continuing opportunities to learn about tribal traditions in the process. A second garden site has been proposed for the junction of East Francis Avenue and North Market Street, which offers available space for more extensive plantings and gardens. “For me, the most rewarding part of this project has been building relationships with all of our community partners,” said Zeb Klement. “We heard wonderful personal stories from Marsha Wynecoop (Spokane Tribe) and Wendy Thompson (GU’s Director of Tribal Relations). As a four-year Spokanite, I didn’t know much about the Tribe,” he added, “and it was fascinating to learn about their knowledge and deep respect for traditions, ceremonies, and the natural environment.” Team member Isabel Zimmerman echoes excitement about the project. “One of the cool things we experienced was an increase in cultural competence,” she said. “We learned different ways to communicate that we’re not used to. We learned how to bridge gaps and adapt to unfamiliar approaches and traditions. We worked hard to get everyone on the same page and in doing that, we learned how to balance needs, and to be sure that all perspectives were represented.” While it may be a few years before the project comes to fruition, Isabel added, “we gathered and shared important information that will inform the development of the project, integrating ideas from people we met, to serve the greater community.” “We are excited to see ideas for this project that communicate today’s continued interactions between the Spokane Tribe and native plants, rather than depicting such interactions as something ‘of the past,” said Thompson. “Both histories and contemporary stories can be shared through this project.” The work of the students has also caught the attention of architects of the new UW-GU Health Partnership building at the corner of Hamilton and Trent, who are looking at the information for exterior landscaping and ‘green walls’ in that building. And native plants are also showcased in the new mural welcoming people to Logan Neighborhood on the side of the Global Neighborhood Thrift shop at that same intersection. The students also contributed to a grant application Gonzaga is pursuing from the National Endowment of the Humanities to develop the digital platform and narrative content for the project. Professors Greg Gordon, Environmental Studies, and Katey Roden, director of Digital Humanities, continue to advance the initiative, Finding Our Way: Fostering a Sense of Place for Underrepresented Communities.
ALL ART IS AN IMITATION OF NATURE
-SENECA
This April, Gonzaga students began work on the 85-foot mural on Trent and Hamilton. For over a year the Logan mural has been in talks, and now the paint has been put on the wall. The origin of the chosen design was a group effort by Gonzaga art classes guided by Laura Truitt and Lenora Lopez-Schindler. During the fall semester, students met with neighborhood leaders to learn about the assets and uniqueness of the neighborhood, as well as to gather ideas of what residents would like depicted in the mural. Laura, Lena, and their students worked on designs throughout the year and 3 finalists were chosen. During the month of March, the Logan neighbors/residents and Gonzaga community voted and chose a design that boasts vibrant colors and native plants with descriptions in English and Salish, the local native language. Runnerup designs included a landscape of the Spokane river and a river landscape with fish and insects. The choice of native plants was informed by the Children of the Sun trail (See Children of the Sun trail article). The Arrow Leaf, Yarrow, Camas Flower and Ponderosa Pine are some of the flora and fauna featured. The Spokane River is also featured, spanning the entire mural, delicately hidden between and behind the flowers. “It’s this real effort of having people understand the environment they live in, but also the history. It is a wonderful combination of science, healing, and art.” says Lopez Schindler. To view progress of the mural, follow the Opportunity Northeast or CCE Facebook & Instagram.
Laura Truitt, creates reference points and outlines for the mural.
Laura Truitt, & Lenora Lopez-Schindler, discuss the mural with a GU volunteer
WELCOME TO THE TEAM, OPPORTUNITY NORTHEAST FELLOWS Opportunity Northeast fellows will spend the summer working in Northeast Spokane neighborhoods in partnership with community organizations.
Caleb Yoder ‘22 Communication
Charlotte Low ‘22 Sociology & Psychology Minor Women’s & Gender Studies
Georgia Cosola ‘22 Psychology & Journalism
Ally Schmidt ‘22 Psychology Minor Religious Studies
Fellows support one of two focus areas, food security or educational opportunities for youth, forming a cohort of 10 fellows that will gather regularly for support and professional development provided by CCE staff. We will be posting about their work and journey this summer on the Gonzaga Center for Community Engagement Facebook and Instagram. Facebook: @CCEGonzaga
Food Security Fellowship
Instagram: @GU_CCE
Food Security fellows support the Campus Kitchens food security programs in Northeast Spokane. Fellows support meal preparation, grow fresh produce in the Campus Kitchens garden, facilitate nutrition education programming for youth, engage with seniors through meal distributions, and interact with various partners engaged in community development efforts.
Hillyard Youth Collaborative Fellowship Hillyard Youth Collaborative fellows support youth involved in the Hillyard Youth Collaborative during the summer months. Fellows recruit and enroll youth and facilitate programming for Level Up, a two week transition program for youth entering middle school, and Summer in the Zone, a 10 week long initiative that provides multi-age programming for youth in Northeast Spokane.
Aaliyah Mae Lewis ‘24 Community, Culture & Language Elementary Education Track
Skye Clark ‘22 Sociology & Criminology Minor Solidarity & Social Justice
Hanah Singco ‘22 Psychology & Special Education
Mateo Acosta ‘21 Business Administration Conc. Finance & Operations
Meaghan Greaney ‘23 History & Secondary teaching Certification Candidate
Jessica Gutierrez ‘23 Communication Studies Minor Political Science & Critical Race & Ethnic Studies
High School Transition Fellowship
Rogers High School Postsecondary Summer Outreach
High School Transition fellows support youth in their transition to high school by coordinating teacher meet ups, tours of the building and classrooms, informing students on available resources, and coordinating with coaches and clubs that students are interested in during the summer months.
Rogers High School Postsecondary Summer Outreach fellows provide outreach and support to recently graduating seniors with postsecondary plans (Technical School, 2-Year, or 4-Year college). The fellows work with John R. Rogers High School administrators and counselors to follow-up with recent graduates and learn what support they might need as they make plans for their transition to post-secondary programs. During their work Fellows expect to develop an understanding of the community needs and assets of Northeast Spokane.
WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS HOW INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS COMMUNITIES
Communities thrive when residents feel a sense of connectedness and belonging. Neighborhood design is often an overlooked element that impacts social connection and overall health of residents. Engineering Chair & Professor Dr. Rhonda Kae Young is working with Civil engineering students to advocate for equitable infrastructure in the Spokane area. So, what does this mean? Infrastructure can mean a lot of things from sidewalks to roads to availability and access to public utilities. The Cincinnati Green Way Project is a prime example of how Dr. Young and her students are applying civil engineering and urban design to connect people and place together. Greenway corridors are designed for multi-use - cyclists, walkers, joggers, and cars – to improve health through active living. Greenways reduce car cut throughs by implementing boulevards and reduce driving speeds by making pedestrians and cyclists more visible. In researching the “subconscious” factors that motivate our driving habits, roads lined with trees have slower traffic than roads without trees. Property value is also tied to the quality of sidewalks and the roads that lead to your home. The quality and accessibility of infrastructure such as neighborhood roads and sidewalks directly impacts whole health outcomes for communities. Neighborhoods may have underutilized parks if sidewalks are not maintained, and road crossings are absent. Parents will be less likely to let their children walk to the park because of safety. Poor infrastructure may also limit access to bus routes, medical care, grocery stores, work, and schools. The physical presence of cars can create congested, high-traffic areas that increase exposure to unhealthy emissions. Dr. Young and her students have advocated with local neighborhood councils for access to city funds to ensure infrastructure is not being overlooked in under resourced communities in Spokane. At the end of the day, infrastructure is a social justice issue and Dr. Young, and her students are working to ensure that neighborhoods that Dr. Young and her students are working to address have a more equitable future. To learn more, we encourage you to visit gonzaga.edu/ civilsocialjsutice to explore the transportation, social justice, and inclusion events provided by the Gonzaga Civil engineering department.
@OpportunityNortheast
@OpportunityNortheastSpokane
ONE@gonzaga.edu
Opportunity Northeast, Gonzaga’s place-based initiative, is strategically focused on improving outcomes for children, youth and families in Northeast Spokane. This endeavor engages Gonzaga students in transformative, real-world educational experiences, and offers staff and faculty the opportunity to engage more deeply in the shared work of community development through communityengaged scholarship, teaching, research and implementation. Opportunity Northeast is housed in the Center for Community Engagement.