Wichita Public Library has received a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest for the 2024 Big Read Wichita, coming this spring. The selected book is “There There” by Tommy Orange.
This novel grapples with the complex history of Native Americans with an inheritance of profound spirituality and with a plague of addiction, abuse, and suicide. It follows 12 characters, each with a private reason for traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow.
“Wichita is specifically influenced by its Native American and Indigenous origins, being named after the Wichita people,” said Savannah Ball, Education, and Engagement Manager for Wichita Public Library. “While our city has many ties to the Native community, we have not yet chosen a Big Read book that explores this.”
While specific programming is not finalized, topics of exploration will include book discussions and conversations about addiction, mental health, generational trauma and identities that marry both the past and the present.
“This year, we will explore Native American history, art, culture, and traditions and provide an outlet to discuss the current lives of Native Americans in Wichita,” Ball said. “This book also covers a multitude of social issues that affect not only the Native community but also community members who are not of Native descent.”
- The Big Read program encourages residents to read a common book and participate in programs and events held around Wichita over six weeks.
- March 28th: “An Urban Indigenous History of Wichita”
- 6 p.m. March 28 at the Advanced Learning Library will highlight Wichita’s Urban Native history through stories found in the Library’s archives.
- April 19: “Wichitalks Big Read Edition”
- 7 p.m. April 19 at the Wichita Scottish Rite Center, 332 E. 1st St., will feature five-minute lightning-fast talks from residents centered around the topic of generational identity.
The 2024 NEA Big Read: Wichita will kick off March 16, 2024 and run through April 27, 2024. More information is available at bigreadwichita.org.
