FāVS News is excited to present “Uniting the Inland Northwest,” a free community gathering focused on bridging regional divides, April 27 at the Montvale Event Center, 1019 W. 1st Ave. in downtown Spokane.
Itohan Idumwonyi, of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, and a Gonzaga University professor, will deliver the keynote address. She’ll discuss Ubuntu philosophy.
“Ubuntu emphasizes community building, a way to re-approach our relationships so we can break the artificial borders that separate us and look out for one another,” she wrote, “directing one’s own humanity to others helps us navigate beyond superficial solutions to rethink, adapt, and foster human interconnectedness.”
The event will feature six breakout sessions addressing regional issues. (Note the panels are still being finalized.)
Guests are asked to register so FāVS can have a headcount.
Uniting the Inland Northwest Breakout Sessions
- 5 p.m. – Walking in Their Shoes: Understanding Homelessness in Our Community
- Confirmed for this panel are representatives from Transitions and Spokane Area Jewish Family Services and Spokane Housing Authority, moderated by FāVS Board Member Rebecca Cooney.
- 5 p.m. – How Food and Faith Unite Communities
- Confirmed for this panel are representatives from Feast World Kitchen, West Central Abbey’s Dinner Table and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, moderated by food writer Adriana Janovich
- 5 p.m. – The Next Generation’s Vision for Unity
- Confirmed for this panel are representatives from Odyssey Youth Movement and River City Youth Ops, Spokane Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, Youth for Christ and Lutheran Community Services Northwest, moderated by FāVS Associate Editor Cassy Benefield.
- 6 p.m. – Understanding LGBTQ+ Faith Experiences
- Confirmed for this panel is Professor Traci Gillig of the Washington State LGBTQ Survey, Mark Cuilla Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist and member of Salem Lutheran Church and Rev. Heather VanDeventer, dean of St. John’s Cathedral, moderated by FāVS reporter, Mia Gallegos.
- 6 p.m. – Interfaith Dialogue in Polarized Times
- Confirmed for this panel are representatives from the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience of Eastern Washington and North Idaho and Sravasti Abbey, moderated by Naghmana Sherazi, Pro-Equity Consultant
Office of Equity in the Office of the Governor
- Confirmed for this panel are representatives from the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience of Eastern Washington and North Idaho and Sravasti Abbey, moderated by Naghmana Sherazi, Pro-Equity Consultant
- 6 p.m. – Building Bridges with Refugee and Immigrant Neighbors
- Confirmed for this panel so are representatives from Thrive International, Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane and World Relief, moderated by Carla LaFayette of Life Center.
Doors open for the Uniting the Inland Northwest event at 3:30 p.m. with the keynote beginning at 4 p.m. Food will be available for purchase on site from The Steam Plant. The event will conclude around 7 p.m.
The “Uniting the Inland Northwest” event builds on FāVS News’ previous Good Neighbor Conference at Gonzaga, which attracted hundreds of participants from various faith backgrounds.
FāVS is grateful for support from the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, Transitions, Humanities Washington and Stout Land and Home in helping fund Uniting the Inland Northwest. We are still seeking additional community sponsors to support marketing and event costs. To become a sponsor, contact Bob Stout at [email protected]
