Stories are always based on the storyteller s perceptions. So, there are at least as many stories about your community as the community has people. Each person will have one or many stories to share, and at least one of these will be a reflection of the community. John Poupart, President of the American Indian Policy Center, advocates and uses reality-based research in the research done by the Center. The Madii Institute joins with John in advocating the validity, integrity, and value of reality-based research.
Stories can be much more than words in a report.
Stories can be poems, prose, paintings, sculpture, photographs, maps, songs, music, and any of the other forms of expression. When working in communities, we believe it s important to encourage this varied approach to finding, recording, expressing, and sharing the many stories in your community. Our workshops encourage these many forms of sharing, learning, and communication. We hear variations of this in every community, neighborhood, organization, and small group where we work. For many people, the adventure of asset mapping in particular is an adventure of self- and community discovery.