The second of three films in our Indigenous Film Series, "Gather" follows the stories of natives on the frontlines of a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities that were devastated by genocide. "Gather" follows Nephi Craig, a chef from the White Mountain Apache Nation (Arizona), opening an indigenous café as a nutritional recovery clinic; Elsie Dubray, a young scientist from the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation (South Dakota), conducting landmark studies on bison; and the Ancestral Guard, a group of environmental activists from the Yurok Nation (Northern California), trying to save the Klamath river. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Patagonia Public Library is one of 60+ nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host an NEA Big Read project.

4th generation Patagonians Glen “Gooch” Goodwin and Kayla Lewis-Simpson will present their photography at this art opening highlighting the landscape, wildlife, people, and history of the area. This will be a three-week exhibition held at The Patagonia Museum and will be open for public viewing during museum open hours, Thursday-Saturday, 2-4pm. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Join Zarco Guerrero for a series of stories that share the vibrant and tragic history of water and the River People, over a 2,000-year period beginning with the Toltec trade route that brought agriculture and corn to the Southwest. The history of the O’Odham before and after the expansion west is revealed. We learn about the Yaqui Indians who fled persecution and found refuge in Arizona rebuilding the ancient canal system. A descendant of the first Mormon settlers tells his families’ story of finding an oasis in the desert given to them by God and their determination to tame the mighty Salt River. Our story culminates when an endearing elderly woman shares the hope that there still is to protect our water resources and to right the wrongs committed against the land and its River People. As a sculptor, muralist, storyteller and performance artist Zarco has dedicated his career to creating positive social change through the arts. Born in Arizona, he has been instrumental in the development of Latino Arts statewide. His art has been exhibited in Mexico and throughout the United States. He has received international acclaim, and awards, such as a National Endowment for the Arts Japan Fellowship, a Governor’s Arts Award, […]

The second of 3 adult book discussions, Deb Goff will facilitate a discussion of Joy Harjo’s 2012 coming-of-age memoir, “Crazy Brave.” NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Native American flute player and storyteller, Randy Granger, will present a program of flute music and storytelling. Granger is a native of New Mexico, a professional musician and specializes in Native American tales and creation stories often interweaving flute and drum within the stories. He is an award-winning recording artist, instructor, spiritual teacher, actor who performs and headlines around the country in concerts and at festivals. His music is heard on NPR, Hearts of Space, PBS, Pandora, Spotify, and radio stations around the world. He is of Mayan/Apache ancestry. www.randygranger.net NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.