We acknowledge the land on which we sit and we of the Oregon Potters Association members recognize and take time to honor the traditional and indigenous lans and village sites of the Native peoples of the Alsea, Cayuse, Chetcof, Chinook, Clatskanie, Coos, Galice and Applegate, Kalapuya, Molala, Multnomah, Nez Perce, Paiute, Shasta, Siuslaw, Takelma, Tillamook, Tolowa, Tutuni and Coquille, Umatilla, Umpqua, Walla Walla, and the Wasco and Wishram.
The Oregon Potters Association supports Black Lives. We as an organization ( are going to take time to examine) (are examining) where we are at and what we can do to take actions to show our support. This is going to take time. (We are all committed to) for all of us to learn, educate and grow into as an organization spanning 400+ members. We are going to (identify and) change structures that create barriers for all to participate in our organization.
Current (Planned) Changes (that we are going to make) are:
Create(ing) inclusive language to our official documents such as the bylaws and OPA Manual.
Change how schools access our Clay in Education residencies so that there is no longer a financial burden for schools to take on by seeking grants to back the cost schools would normally provide.
Seek ways to elevate Black voices and experiences in our organization.
Commit(ting) to listening and learning as a continuous process.
We recognize that there is more than just this list for (what) changes we will need to make but we wanted to back our solidarity with actions.