Peninsula College recognizes and honors that we are on traditional nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm territory.
ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse is a gathering place to teach, learn, and share cultural traditions, knowledge, and identity. The vision of the Longhouse to be a center for cultural expression and educational achievement for all students and community members was created together by the College and six local tribes: Hoh, Quileute, Makah, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam.
Visit Peninsula College’s House of Learning Longhouse and you will find a welcoming, busy and vital space, where local tribes, students, educators, and the larger community can meet, learn, and interact.
Completed in 2007, ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ was the first Longhouse built on a community college campus in the nation. From classes to special programs and gallery exhibitions, the House of Learning engages visitors from all walks of life.
This spring, the writings of Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Vine DeLoria, Mishuana Goeman, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Shawn Wilson, and other indigenous scholars will frame a new course entitled Introduction to Indigenous Humanities. Open to all students, this course will feature visits from local language teachers, poets, drummers, storytellers, artists, and other experts from area tribes as well as Alaska Native and other indigenous artists and teachers.
Indigenous students and alumni are working with PC instructor Kate Reavey to create the curriculum, assignments, and schedule for guest speakers.
“This course will not be based in the western paradigm, although comparisons will be useful,” Reavey said. “We will begin with a study of decolonizing methodologies (Tuhiwai Smith) and the indigenous paradigm (Wilson), which teach that humans are not at the center of importance. Relationships are.” Reavey said she will teach the course this year, but the goal is for a Native/Indigenous instructor to teach it in the future.
Dr. Reavey said the college is interested in establishing a Native/Indigenous perspective across the college curriculum to honor and recognize where we are.
Peninsula College also offers an AA Bridge Native Pathways Program which is an Associate of Arts degree inclusive of Native perspectives. Enrolled students complete a unique set of courses particularly relevant to tribal communities. It prepares students for The Evergreen State College’s Native Pathways Program Bachelor of Arts degree, and can also be transferred to other colleges and universities.
In 2015, faculty and staff created a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) to focus on “Engaging a Native/Indigenous Perspectives.” Their collaborative work has supported the Visiting Elders Project as well as the development of programming, curricula, and potential academic pathways.
The current goal of the FLC is to share place-based and indigenous curriculum and culturally-responsive teaching and learning. In 2018, the group was awarded a grant from PC’s Office of Instruction to arrange the research and curriculum development that have been on-going in Forks and Port Angeles into a systematic collection.
Looking ahead, PC administrators are considering an indigenous learning pathway at PC’s Forks location, where students would have the opportunity to earn a degree in a program where Indigenous approaches provide the framework for learning. This will require continual collaboration with Tribal partners, and the model for this pathway is being shaped and strengthened by the classes taught in Port Angeles and the on-going work of the FLC.
Come discover all that the Longhouse has to offer. Enroll now in our Indigenous Studies course, or visit campus to tour this vibrant, creative space.
Members of the community, along with students are encouraged to take advantage of the programs the Longhouse is offering this spring.
Native American Culture Fair
Student inspired and student-led, the Fair features a different theme each year and is a place where students from local schools share their tribal cultures, history, languages, and traditions with PC students and the local community.
Visiting Elders Project
Tribal elders share their experiences and indigenous knowledge in classrooms across campus. Students learn first-hand about Native/Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. In a closing reception, students and faculty reflect back to the elders, honoring the elders’ contributions and describing what they have learned.
Native Graduates Celebration
Native students graduating from Peninsula College are honored in a special celebration in the Longhouse. Family members join us as we proudly celebrate the accomplishments of these graduates.
Longhouse Gallery of Art
Featuring Native artists, The Longhouse Gallery of Art creates a space where artists can share their work and culture with the community, PC students, faculty, and staff. Exhibits rotate throughout the year and include work from professional artists and tribal elders as well as students, and collaborations between the Longhouse and tribal partners. The Great Room features artwork that is part of the Peninsula College permanent collection.
For more information visit http://pencol.edu/longhouse
