Quilt of Dreams and Memories

NE_Appleseed_Icons_Community-128Lincoln High School students told the stories of their memories and journeys to Lincoln from Myanmar and Thailand, as well as the stories of their dreams for the future through quilting when the new exhibit “Quilt of Dreams and Memories” opened Sunday at the Sheldon Museum of Art.

As the quilt was unveiled, students described their rural homes in Myanmar or the refugee camps where their families lived in Thailand. The Karen American students shared their plans to become teachers, doctors and nurses as well as the hope for peace in their countries in the colorful quilt that brought together traditional Karen weaving and American story quilting.

Lincoln Journal Star: Final product of Karen group’s quilt project unveiled at Sheldon

In her own words, Paw Spai Moo, a Lincoln High student, described the small confinement of the refugee camp she lived in for fourteen years contrasted with the freedoms she experiences here: “When I was one year old my parents moved to the refugee camp. I lived for long time, about 14 years. We have a difficult time. We can’t go in the outside. We just have to live in the little same area.” Now, Paw Spai dreams of a future with equal rights and peace for all people.

You can view the Quilt of Dreams and Memories and along with other immigrant student art at the Nebraska Mosaic Art Show at the Lux Center for the Arts, April 1-30, 2014.

This Lincoln project was modeled on the documentary The Quilted Conscience. Filmmaker John Sorensen created the first project honoring the work of Nebraska native Grace Abbott who advocated for children and immigrants throughout her career.

Welcoming City: Karen Community shares culture with Lincoln community

DSC05487Lincoln is among the first Welcoming Cities in the country who recognize the contributions immigrants make to creating a vibrant culture and a growing economy.

On Saturday, January 4 Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler joined the celebration of the new year hosted by Karen Society of Nebraska.

“It is important to me to welcome you to this place as your new home,” Mayor Beutler said through an interpreter.

The city is lucky people from many different cultures have decided to make their homes in Lincoln, he said.

“We encourage you to share your culture with the entire community, like the event you’ve planned today,” Beutler said. “It’s important we all continue working to build bridges with people who come from old and rich traditions.”

Karen people came to Nebraska primarily from Thailand refugee camps after fleeing Burma’s civil war. Celebrations like this New Year’s celebration create opportunities to share and to learn about the culture of new neighbors.

Read more in this story from the Lincoln Journal Star: “Lincoln’s growing Karen community celebrates New Year

Announcing the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative

Re-posted from a Welcoming America announcement

welcom_cities_final-300x154Recognizing that immigrants help maximize opportunities for economic growth and civic vitality and position communities as globally competitive, 21st century leaders, 14 local governments have joined the Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative with Welcoming America.The initiative signals the growing importance of an innovative and proactive role for local governments, and the growing recognition of immigrants as assets in any community.Participating cities and counties include:

  • Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (incl. Pittsburgh)
  • Austin, Texas
  • Baltimore, Maryland
  • Boise, Idaho
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Dayton, Ohio
  • High Point, North Carolina
  • Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Macomb County, Michigan
  • Montgomery County, Maryland
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • St. Louis, Missouri (city)
  • St. Louis, Missouri (county)

 

Welcoming Cities and Counties recognize the benefit of supporting immigrant-friendly, welcoming environments in which all community members can fully contribute and participate.Welcoming America is convening members of Welcoming Cities and Counties to share promising practices with each other and help the nation learn from their local level innovations that support economic development and create vibrant global communities that are great places to live, work and do business.In addition this initiative is supported by a growing list of partner organizations, which include: City of ChicagoThe German Marshall Fund of the United StatesAS/COA, and Maytree’s Cities of Migration. Welcoming Cities and Counties has also been recognized as a 2013 Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.

If you, your organization, or your city or county is interested in learning more or participating, please contact Susan Downs-Karkos, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at susan@welcomingamerica.org.

To learn more about the initiative, visit www.welcomingcities.org.  Read more research about the imperatives for this work in Communities and Banking magazine and the Welcoming Cities report.