Photo Credit: Carpe Diem Photography
CSTI began with the Women of Color Gathering on Thursday, bringing together women of color from around the region to strategize how to address issues of common concern.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
As with most CSTI program activities, the Women of Color Gathering was very interactive.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
CSTI opened on Thursday with a reception focusing on cultural offerings of dance and poetry. Here, Gloria Muñoz of United Vision for Idaho leads a Mexican Dance.
Photo Credit:Western States
Center
In honor of our 15th Anniversary, we put up an interactive timeline for people to place their activities, issues and organizations on the timeline. We also took pictures of people who would identify significant political moments in their lives.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
Friday night's program featured It's A Family Affair looking at the different aspects of gender and family through the lens of culture, class and faith.
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Photography
Beyond the program and workshops, CSTI is also a place for families.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
It's a Family Affair panel discussion. From Idaho Women's
Network, Pam Baldwin.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Launa Wilson from PLAN participated in the It's A Family Affair panel discussion.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
CSTI trainers -- many workshops featured multiple trainers to provide alternative viewpoints and increased participation.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
Workshops with lots of interaction and varied activities are highly valued.
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Thu-Thuong Nguyen, another of the valued trainers are CSTI is from Seattle
Young People's Project
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A participant checks the schedule to see what's happening. Optional lunch activities included live performances by A Leap of Faith and caucuses. Evening activities included panel discussions, films and music.
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Photography
Ana Claudia Pessao da Silva from MST (Brazil's Landless Worker's Movement) and Center Organizer/Trainer Lucilene Lira
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Photography
In addition to the excellent workshops, cultural activities and plenaries, participants also value the discussions and connections that happen informally during lunches and dinners.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
Gladys Martinez of the Dominican Republic's Rural Women's Cooperative
and Ana Claudia da Silva from MST were two international trainers invited
to broaden our understanding of organizing movements and foster connections
between the struggles there and here.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
This conversation between Idaho Latino Vote's Maria Gonzalez Mabbutt and Judy Smith from Montana's Womens Voices for the Earth is an example of the connections and conversations that are unlikely to happen without CSTI to bring together activists from around the region who work on a variety of issues.
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Credit:Western States Center
It seems like CSTI participants are always smiling. Here's Sue Chew from Idaho Women's Network.
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Credit:Western States Center
More smiles
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Credit:Western States Center
It's not all work and no play at CSTI.
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Credit:Western States Center
Many organizations sent large delegations to CSTI to develop their core leadership and deepen the skills of new leaders. Here are folks from ROP, the Rural Organizing Project.
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Credit:Western States Center
Idaho Latino Vote
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Credit:Western States Center
CAUSA/LUS
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Credit:Western States Center
Community Language and Culture Bank
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City of Seattle
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SYPP's Cryshawna takes advantage of CSTI to share her poetry and arts newsletter.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Sisters in Action for Power
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LELO: Legacy of Equality, Leadership and Organzing
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Idaho Latino Vote
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Pedro Sosa, one of the many trainers at CSTI
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Children are welcome at CSTI
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Photography
Multi-lingual childcare is provided at low cost to all participants. In fact, we only charge $10 for up to 3 children for the entire conference so childcare costs will not prevent parents from attending.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Riding the hamburger has become a CSTI tradition.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Keynote speaker Lenny Zeskind addressed participants after the Saturday banquet.
Photo Credit: Carpe Diem
Photography
Now This is what a movement looks like!!
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Dancing the night away
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Dancing the night away.
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Photography
There's room at CSTI for unplanned activities such as this dramatization presented by the folks from the workshop on culture and organizing.
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Photography
As the play ended, everyone joined hands to express the power of standing together.
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CSTI is the place for families -- as these sisters can attest!
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Photography
Another family at CSTI : trainer Krishanti Dharmaraj with her husband and daughter. Krishanti is the director of WILD for Human Rightss
Photo Credit:Western States Center
Center Field Director Kalpana Krishnamurthy with former board member Jim Hansen of UVI
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Shuttles are available for folks to gat around campus -- and for fun!
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Another family at CSTI! Kristy Alberty of NICWA and
her daughter Caitlyn.
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Photography
Merchandise at CSTI included magnifient photos by Sebastião Salgado in addition to t-shirts and water bottles.
Photo Credit:Western States Center
CSTI translator Maria Damaris Silva with Center Trainer Organizer Kayse Jama.