2008 Summit on Indigenous Service Learning: Service Learning and Storytelling a Native Education Model

On April 30, 2008 - May 3, 2008, the Center for Service Learning hosted a second conference entitled the 2008 Summit on Indigenous Service Learning: Service Learning and Storytelling a Native Education Model. This 3 day conference was attended by more than over 90 people from all over the US including from as far as Hawaii, South Dakota, Montana. One of the highlights of the event was the place-based experience - a model unknown to most conferences, where participant had the opportunity to experience the "place" in which the event is hosted. Guests and locals alike got to pull canoe, weave cedar, do beadwork, and make drums. In the evening everyone enjoyed a cultural feast, visited with local elders and storytelling by open fire on the Lummi campus.

The conference also offered formal education workshops that focused on storytelling and service-learning. Keynote speakers were Roger Fernandes and Tracy Rector who inspired all who attended to teach using traditional and contemporary methods of storytelling both to preserve indigenous cultural heritage and address critical social issues in Native American communities. The conference was wrapped up on Friday by the closing speaker John Guffey whose message was the importance of honoring the cultural significance of service-learning in your community. This Highly Successful Summit was followed by the Honoring Indian Education Pow Wow, where participants enjoyed traditional drumming and dancing.