SUQUAMISH — With a camera, a roll of film and a little guidance, Suquamish teenagers could view their community in a whole new light.
Modeled after a program created in South Park, Photovoice allows community youth to approach their neighborhood with a unique frame of mind and lens.
“We’re just in the discussion phase right now,” said Suquamish Citizens Advisory Committee vice president Frances Malone, who is heading the youth subcommittee. “We think it would be a really good idea for the youth to try. We’ve got a couple of photographers who might be interested.”
The program essentially provides teenagers with cameras, and uses local photographers to instruct them in taking pictures. Participants start by making a frame with their hands and looking through it at different parts of their community. It progresses from there to taking photos, exposing the good, and potentially bad, qualities of the world they live in.
“One just great attribute is that kids around here don’t have a lot to do, and this would give them a project to work on,” said subcommittee member Sandra Senter. “This would be valuable for both the kids and the community to see the community through their eyes.”
The subcommittee is getting organized and hasn’t set a date to begin Photovoice. Members first want to meet with the community April 19 to get feedback, Malone said, and work with the Suquamish Tribe. They are hoping community members and stakeholders will come forward to assist with the program. She said she’s already talked with Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman, who seemed positive about the project.
“Well, I think that the more activities we have to support the youth, the better,” Forsman said. “It’s good outreach, and there are a lot of kids in Suquamish. Not only will they learn a new skill, they’ll learn more about their community.”
The tribe has been working to strengthen its culture and traditions and pass them on to younger generations. Senter and Malone feel this would be another way for teenagers to see their history and future, and show it to others.
“Another aspect that’s great is the youth development,” Senter said. “They’ll be building skills in leadership, and skills in community development with this project.”
“It sounds exciting,” Forsman said. “We haven’t really decided what our role is going to be, but it is a great idea.”
