PORT ANGELES — It will be an unusual open-mic night — with emphasis on “open.”
Brenda Francis, a poet and a member of the Indian Voices writing group, wanted to lay out a feast before Thanksgiving — a feast of viewpoints.
So Francis, the communications manager for the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, got together with Suzie Bennett, another Indian Voices writer, and planned an open-mic night not only for Native American tribal members, but for the whole community.
And so the microphone will be switched on at 6 p.m. Monday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Training Center, 401 E. First St. in Port Angeles, “and we would like to hear from everyone,” Francis said.
Admission is free for readers and listeners.
“It will be a great opportunity for everyone to express how they feel about Thanksgiving and about the holidays in general,” Francis said.
“It will be a good forum, a safe forum, to express true feelings.”
Bennett, the manager of the Elwha heritage center, said she wants to hold more such events at the facility.
“I’m really excited for it,” Bennett said of Monday’s open mic.
To anyone who feels uncertain about taking part, she added: “Come and see that we’re very laid-back.
“And we’re totally supportive of anyone who wants to come and read.”
Bennett, who is known for irreverence in her prose, wrote a Thanksgiving piece that speaks to oppression — and it’s not necessarily about herself.
“I’m much better at developing characters,” she said, “and writing from their point of view.”
And sometimes, while writing, she has “no control over what comes out. The story creates itself.”
Variety of views
What Bennett likes best about Monday’s pre-Thanksgiving get-together is that it promises a variety of views.
Brandan McCarty of the Makah tribe, Makah Executive Director Meri Parker and Christopher Thomas, a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, are among the Indian Voices writers planning to read.
Trent Crable, a Makah, and Juanita Edwards, a young member of the Elwha tribe, will also step up.
“There are many different views and feelings that surround the Thanksgiving Day holiday for Native Americans, and we want to have a forum where people can share their feelings on this day,” Francis said.
“I think you’ll get all types of emotions,” from gratitude to defiance to humor, she added.
“I know for myself personally, Thanksgiving in our family is really important. We say a prayer, and then we go around the table and we all say what we’re thankful for.”
But Francis also knows people who think Thanksgiving shouldn’t be celebrated at all.
“One of my family members adores Thanksgiving,” Bennett added.
Her own feelings are mixed — and not so adoring.
“We’re looking forward,” however, “to hearing the voices of the community,” Bennett said.
She expects the open-mic night to run until about 8 p.m.
For more information, phone the Elwha Heritage Training Center at 360-417-8545.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@
peninsuladailynews.com.
