19th Annual Fall Soul Conference

You Are My Other Me - In Lak Ech

Friday, November 2, 7:00-9:00pm and

Saturday, November 3, 9:00am-3:00pm

Co-sponsored by St. Catherine University English Department

Fall Soul is an annual conference organized by Wisdom Ways that focuses on ecology, sustainability, and action for justice

In Nahuatl, the language of an indigenous people of Mesoamerica, there is a saying “In Lak Ech.”  Translated in Spanish, it is “tu eres mi otro yo” and in English, “you are my other me,” illustrating the deep connection shared across our differences and the awareness and acceptance that are both necessary for fostering community.

This life principle is an invitation to witness – to see, hear, and acknowledge each other, beginning with ourselves. By reflecting on our own lives, choices, thoughts and actions, we strengthen our consciousness and become more aware of our presence in the world as well as our connection to others.  In our everyday encounters, as witnesses we have a responsibility to speak and act as well as listen to, receive and love one another.

Indigenous people of Mesoamerica who practice you are my other me believe that art and spirituality are intertwined in these acts of witness. Drawing from elements of the universe, earth, sky, water, it is artists and poets who give witness to the natural world and human experience.

The 19th annual Fall Soul Conference will witness to cosmology and culture. The practice of “In Lak Ech” honors and acknowledges our intimate connection and unity with all life. The conference invites participants to learn, engage and practice you are my other me. Through interactive presentations, workshops and facilitated conversations, we will discover techniques for self reflection, strategies for community organizing and direct action, as well as practices for enriching dialogue around difference and community.  We will consider systems of power, and ways to give witness to ourselves, each other and larger global systems in working towards social justice.

As part of Fall Soul, we will honor the days of El Dίa De Los Muertos and All Souls/All Saints through ritual, celebration and joyous remembrance.

Friday evening keynote:

Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes, author, scholar and new president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, writes about the intersection of spirituality, mysticism, cosmology and culture. With a background in corporate law, higher education, theology and ethics, she has worked with law firms, homeless missions, HIV/AIDS ministries, and international ministries in Kenya and Japan. She is the former Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Memphis Theological Seminary, where she founded a theology and arts program that engages urban issues through the arts. Barbara says, "I have been called to work in diverse settings, where the call to serve also invites the human spirit to engage in radical creativity." She is the author of four books including: Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church and Joyful Journey: A Spiritual Memoir.

Barbara says, “I have been called to work in diverse settings, where the call to serve also invites the human spirit to engage in radical creativity.”

Saturday Co Facilitators:

Dr. Cecilia Konchar Farr, professor in English and Women’s Studies at St. Catherine University, believes that activism and education are intimately related. Her research focuses on American literature, feminist theory, contemporary U.S. culture and the role of the novel for everyday readers. Her books include Reading Oprah: How Oprah’s Book Club Changed the Way America Reads and, The Oprah Affect: Critical Essays on Oprah’s Book Club, co-edited with Jaime Harker. As a feminist critic, she believes that activism and education are intimately related and that good teaching is, in bell hooks’ words, "teaching to transgress." Raised in a working class Morman and Catholic family in Pittsburg she continues to navigate the links between education and social justice. St. Catherine University, with its long tradition of community work, has been an ideal home base.

Jessica Lopez Lyman is a writer, teacher and organizer seeking social change through mindful and creative education. A graduate of St. Catherine University, she is now a Ph.D. candidate for Chicana/Chicano Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara, researching social identities, especially race, class, gender and sexuality. Her work draws on Chicana and U.S. Third World feminisms, social psychology and performance studies. For three years, Jessica has been a Wisdom Ways youth program coordinator leading day camps and retreats for children and young women.

Fall Soul Musician, Mankwe Ndosi is a musicmaker, performer, educator and culture weaver focused on sound and story. Her first full-length album, Science and Spirit, was released in July 2012. Mankwe is currently building Intersections - an international and intergenerational evening of creativity and conversation with Hope Community (founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph) in South Minneapolis. Self described as a vocalist and community artist, Mankwe says, “it’s important to talk about how creativity is absolutely crucial to our life and expression.” Read about Mankwe in City Pages. Visit Mankwe's website.


Regina Laroche is a compelling dancer, singer and storyteller.  The photo depicts a recent performance with several other artists at Richfield United Methodist Church.  The performance "honored the courage and love women bring to life, and the indomitable, ultimately universal human spirit, which includes everyone." [Photo of Regina courtesy of David Haines, www.photosbyhaines.com]

 

 

Artist Exhibit

The works of Ernesto “Neto” Ybarra, from St. Paul's Westside, will be featured during the Fall Soul Conference and throughout November. The name of his show , “Adelitas,” refers to archetypal women warriors who cooked, cared for the wounded and fought during the Mexican Revolution.  Women warriors (“soldaderas”) raised Neto, teaching him that not only toughness but compassion win the war. For more about Neto, view a brief MN Original video and his website.

SCHEDULE:
Friday, November 2: 7-9pm

  • Music and Movement with Mankwe Ndosi and Regina Laroche
  • Art Exhibit by Ernesto "Neto" Ybarra: "Adelitas"
  • Dr. Barbara Holmes: "Deep Connections - Womanist, Cosmic and Cultural Perspecitves"

Saturday, November 3: 9am-3pm

  • Music and Movement with Mankwe Ndosi and Regina Laroche
  • Art Exhibit by Ernesto "Neto" Ybarra: "Adelitas"
  • Jessica Lopez Lyman: "Becoming a Sandbar - Social Identities for Social Change"
  • Dynamic Break-outs:
    • 20% Theatre Company will lead "My Naked Self": Explore your gender identity, sexuality, body/self-awareness through guided writing exercises, improvisational movement, and encouraged sharing and performance.
    • Youth Performance Company will lead "In My Shoes": Understand bullying and how to respond through interactive role playing.
    • Isaiah: Faith in Democracy will lead "Power, Oppression and Voter Restriction": Examine issues of power and oppression related to the MN ballot question on voter restriction, with an active exercise of talking to voters about the amendment.
    • Emmanuel Ortiz, a Latino writer, community organizer and founding member of Palabristas: Latin@ Wordslingers, will lead "Exhibitionism, Empire and Envisioning": Look inward, outward and forward in confronting pain and oppose oppression, while imagining a better future, through engaging three quotes by renowned writers Gloria Anzaldua, Arundhati Roy and Martin Espada.  Pariticipants will engage in free-write exercises in response to the quotes and will be invited to share their writing.
  • Lunch, snacks and beverages
  • Afternoon "Moving Forward Discussion" facilitated by Jessica Lopez Lyman and Dr. Cecilia Konchar Farr

COST:
Friday only - $20.00
Saturday only - $40.00, includes lunch
Both days - $50.00, includes lunch on Saturday
Students with ID: Event is FREE.