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Q&A

Educational component and awareness of indigenous arts and culture

0:25:16

·

170 sec

Council Member Rivera inquires about the educational role of arts organizations and whether New Yorkers are sufficiently aware of the importance of indigenous arts and culture. Commissioner Cumbo responds by highlighting progress made and emphasizing the need for further education and understanding.

  • Rivera emphasizes the importance of the educational component in arts organizations.
  • Cumbo acknowledges progress in raising awareness but notes there is still a long way to go.
  • The commissioner stresses the importance of understanding Native American indigenous culture and history for a complete understanding of New York City.
  • Cumbo mentions the upcoming 400-year recognition as an opportunity to rewrite history and implement new policies and curricula.
Carlina Rivera
0:25:16
We've got, you know, the actors fund.
0:25:18
I know they have a a new name now.
0:25:19
They're working on housing in Hell's Kitchen.
0:25:21
I think there's a lot of potential to do, similar models in many of our districts.
0:25:27
So I wanna thank you because your testimony, you know, covered many organizations that are doing good work and we're gonna hear from some incredible people.
0:25:34
That's what I'm most looking forward to.
0:25:36
So you're you don't have much time up here.
0:25:38
So, please, any last thoughts.
0:25:40
I did wanna ask because you mentioned all of these great groups, you know, from very large organizations to, you know, my own, 4th Arts Block, La MaMa initiative here.
0:25:53
The educational component of these organizations are so important as well.
0:25:58
And do you believe that New Yorkers are sufficiently aware of the importance of indigenous arts and culture?
Laurie Cumbo
0:26:05
I would say that in New York City, specifically, we've done a lot to raise up the history and the culture of many of the voices in New York City and cultural, creators that have made New York City what it is today.
0:26:21
I think that we have a long way to go, but I do see momentum and movement forward because, frankly, many of the people in this room have raised their voices on so many different levels, in serving their culture in New York City in a way that is to the benefit of the city.
0:26:43
Until you really understand Native American indigenous culture and the truth and the reality, however uncomfortable that is in a school and educational setting, until you understand Native American contribution, the forced removal, the reality of that forced removal, anything else that you understand about New York City will only confuse you.
0:27:07
So it's really important that on an educational level, on a cultural level, that we continue this momentum of writing, rewriting the history of New York City.
0:27:19
And I'm hoping that on so many levels that this recognition of the 400 years, following the Dutch forced removal of native people from their land, I'm hoping that this recognition will rewrite that history, but in rewriting that history that we will also come forward with new policies, new implementation, new curriculum, new like, the levels of equality that are so needed and necessary, but also on many levels, we have to make sure that our land acknowledgments become a reality of not only acknowledgment, but actual usage of actual being able to reclaim of actual real space that communities can utilize.
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