We asked conference participants who dedicate their time to humanities advocacy what one piece of advice they would offer humanities advocates. Here are their answers!

New Chair and Members Elected to Federation of State Humanities Council Board of Directors: Arizona, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island Represented

“This year’s winners reflect the intimate connections the state and US territory humanities councils have with their people,” said Esther Mackintosh, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils. “From climate change and sustainability to addiction and recovery, these two programs focused on vastly different audiences and challenges, but were similar in their commitment to address critical issues facing their communities; bringing people together, through the humanities, to acknowledge and respond to their unique needs. We are pleased to present the 2019 Schwartz Prize to both Humanities Guåhan and Ohio Humanities for their outstanding programs.”

“Mau was more than a navigator. He was a complete man and in many ways a prophet. He saw into the future – the challenges his people would face – loss of identity, health disparities, climate change, etc. He once said that he came to teach Hawaiians because one day we would need to reciprocate.” Encounter Grand Master Navigator Mau and his contributions through the eyes of NHC 2019 Closing Plenary Speaker Bonnie Kahape’a-Tanner

“It has been an education and a pleasure to watch the conference grow and evolve since those early days.  Although the formats have evolved and the issues have changed over the years, the core mission of the conference has remained constant: to provide an opportunity for humanities professionals and volunteers to gather together to exchange ideas that will strengthen their programs and practices and to constantly reaffirm the vital role the humanities play in our democratic society.” Journey through time as Federation President Esther Mackintosh unpacks 33 years of National Humanities Conferences.

“Having arrived here in Honolulu, like most of you, through a series of long-haul flights, I am particularly struck by the theme of this year’s conference: “Roots and Routes: Navigation, Migration, and Exchange in the 21st Century. For me this calls to mind Georgia O’Keeffe… I think of the late Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin… And I think of Mark Twain.” Join NEH Chairman Jon Parrish Peede as he explores the contributions and inspirations derived from the Pacific Islands NHC co-hosts.

Thanks to our host council, the Hawai’i Council for the Humanities, here are seven items of historical and cultural significance that you won’t want to overlook.

“Oceania encompasses enormous diversity and complexity in terms of languages, traditions, and resources and at the same time there exists many shared core values and practices. The conference title, Roots & Routes: Navigation, Migration, and Exchange in the 21st Century, represents some of those commonalities. Roots and routes take on many meanings, one being deep cultural knowledge and its movement across islands and continents. It also touches upon our shared seafaring traditions passed down through generations, the ancient migration of groups that ultimately peopled the islands, as well as modern migration that poses both possibilities and challenges to our communities today.” Read about the conference’s significance regarding place and theme from Humanities Guåhan Executive Director Kimberlee Kihleng.

“This value teaches me a lot about the way to enter a new or unfamiliar place. I think about who I am and all I bring with me, and try to imagine my potential impact. I connect to my intentions to earn relationship and to give back in some way. I prepare myself humbly to listen and learn. I prepare myself to change. This goal of transformation from malihini to something else is an especially powerful ethic in our contemporary context of roots and routes.” Join Hawai’i Council for the Humanities Executive Director Aiko Yamashiro as she welcomes us to the 2019 National Humanities Conference and dissects what it means to be a visitor.

“What happens behind the scenes of putting this conference is nothing short of miraculous, from globe-spanning committee planning calls, to reviewing and selecting from a wide array of conference sessions and speakers, to the dedicated attention to both big picture conference vision and small logistical details by the staff of both the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the National Humanities Alliance.” Join Julie Fry, 2019 NHC Planning Committee Chair, as she gives a behind-the-scenes look at planning #NHCOceania.

From haunted historical houses to spooky storytelling and re-enactments, councils celebrate Halloween with the humanities!

“These programs saw significant impact in their local communities, brought people together, promoted understanding and broke down conversation barriers resulting in real change, growth, and empowerment in their states and territories with reverberations that will be felt across the country.” – Esther Mackintosh, FSHC President

Learn more about the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Position, including the full job description.

The venues of the 2019 National Humanities Conference were selected for their historical and cultural significance and provide a glimpse of the Hawaiian and Oceanic culture, heritage, history, and traditions represented within the themes of the 2019 conference. Learn more here.

We encourage all members who are interested in the future and direction of the Federation of State Humanities Councils to attend as it is an excellent time to learn about the accomplishments, challenges, and future needs of the Federation as well as interact with Federation board members, both existing and upcoming, and staff.