HomeMy WebLinkAboutR24-017 One Book One Valley, Community Read 2024 DocuSign Envelope ID:7CF43759-6305-4BB6-A4F7-802162611 E93
Commissioner McQueeney moved adoption
of the following Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION No. 2024- 017
. RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING ONE BOOK ONE VALLEY,A VALLEY-WIDE
COMMUNITY READ 2024
WHEREAS, Community Read programs have united and uplifted hundreds of
cities and municipalities throughout the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the book"Calling for a Blanket Dance"by Oscar Hokeah is the
author's "highly anticipated debut novel that tells the story of Ever Geimausaddle, the
son of a Kiowa and Cherokee mother and a Mexican father, as he navigates life across
Native lands in Oklahoma"; and,
WHEREAS, Hokeah's novel will feel familiar to fans of Louise Erdrich and
Tommy Orange, shifting between the perspectives of different characters and jumping
around in time to tell a story of the contemporary experiences of Indigenous people,
while also taking care to disrupt any reductive notions of homogeneity in this arena; and,
WHEREAS, the title "Calling for a Blanket Dance"tells the story of a young
Native American boy who belongs to a splintering family, grasps for stability and love,
and makes all the wrong choices until he finds a space of his own".
Oscar Hokeah's electric debut takes us into the life of Ever Geimausaddle, whose
family--part Mexican, part Native American--is determined to hold on to their
community despite obstacles everywhere they turn. Ever's father is injured at the hands
of corrupt police on the border when he goes to visit family in Mexico, while his mother
struggles both to keep her job and care for her husband. And young Ever is lost and angry
at all that he doesn't understand, at this world that seems to undermine his sense of
safety. Ever's relatives all have ideas about who he is and who he should be. His
Cherokee grandmother, knowing the importance of proximity, urges the family to move
across Oklahoma to be near her, while his grandfather, watching their traditions slip
away, tries to reunite Ever with his heritage through traditional gourd dances. Through it
all, every relative wants the same: to remind Ever of the rich and supportive communities
that surround him, there to hold him tight, and for Ever to learn to take the strength given
to him to save not only himself but also the next generation. How will this young man
visualize a place for himself when the world hasn't made room for him to start with?
Honest, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting, Calling for a Blanket Dance is the story
of how Ever Geimausaddle finds his way home; and,
DocuSign Envelope ID:7CF43759-6305-4BB6-A4F7-802162611 E93
WHEREAS, this Eagle Valley Community Read is the 13th Year of the One
Book One Valley initiative. According to Ali Teague from the Bookworm of Edwards, "I
can't believe this incredible book is a debut novel with its lyrical language and wholly
unique characters and voices. Calling for a Blanket Dance illustrates what it's like to be
Mexican American and Indigenous in the United States. I'm so glad we picked it for our
community-wide read, because it demonstrates the expectations that communities have
for each individual, and the responsibility we all have to raise each other"; and,
WHEREAS, this Eagle Valley Community Read will feature book discussions in
venues around the valley; special programs being planned by our two newest partners -
the Vail Symposium and the Eagle Valley Land Trust; and, a special Guest Appearance
by the author in April; and,
WHEREAS, the Vail Public Library, in collaboration with the Bookworm of
Edwards, Colorado Mountain College, Battle Mountain High School, Eagle Valley High
School, Vail Mountain School, The Vail Symposium and the Eagle Valley Land Trust
have resolved to bring this valley-wide Community Read program to the citizens of Eagle
County; and,
WHEREAS, the One Book One Valley initiative will encourage literacy and
shared enjoyment of reading throughout Eagle County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
THAT, the Eagle County commissioners do hereby promote the One Book One
Valley initiative and officially announce and promote the book"Calling for a Blanket
Dance"to all Eagle County residents for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of all.
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DocuSign Envelope ID:7CF43759-6305-4BB6-A4F7-802162611 E93
MOVED,READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County commissioners of
the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 19th day of
March , 2024.
DocuSigned by: COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
`""``0,_� COLORADO,by and Through Its
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ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
EDocuSigned by: \ DocuSigned by:
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Regina O'Brien Matt Scherr
Clerk to the Board of Chair
a County Commissioners DocuSigned by: il
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Jeanne McQueeney
Commissioner
LDocuSigned by:
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Kathy Chandler-Henry
Commissioner
Commissioner chandl er-Henry seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The
roll having been called, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Scherr Aye
Commissioner McQueeney Aye
Commissioner Chandler-Henry Aye
This Resolution passed by 3/0 vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
