The Scout Report -- Volume 26, Number 46

Perhaps National Novel Writing Month, celebrated each November, has inspired readers to embark on a new creative endeavor. If so, let The Crafty Writer's Creative Writing Course be a guide. Fiona Veitch Smith, who has worn several hats in the writing world (including roles as a "freelance journalist, editor, author, playwright, screenwriter and writing teacher,"), created this course to introduce users to "the basic elements of creative writing, from prose fiction to poetry." The eight-session curriculum can be explored at each student's own pace. The first lesson, "Releasing Your Creativity" includes activities to acclimate users to their unique ideas and style. Subsequent lessons tackle writing basics, from "Writing Characters" to "Writing Dialogue." The final lesson, "Markets, Competitions and Opportunities," guides writers on how to turn their newfound skills into published work. Additional writing tips are available on the Blog tab (readers should note that it has not been updated since 2018), and visitors with questions should check out the FAQ tab or send Smith a message via the Contact form. While the course is entirely free, Smith does not provide free feedback on an individual's writing. [EMB]

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The Coral Reef Research Foundation (CRRF) supports conservation and resource management efforts in and beyond its home base in the Republic of Palau. The Republic of Palau is the westernmost archipelago in the Caroline Island Chain and is located near the "Coral Triangle," a term coined for a region with the world's largest shallow-water marine species diversity. While water barriers limit species exchange between Palau and the Coral Triangle, the oceanographic and geological contrast of the areas sets the stage for riveting research. Under the Research tab, readers can browse through information about coral reefs, marine lakes, terrestrial environments, and other relevant topics. For an even deeper dive into Palau's marine environment, readers will want to download Marine Environments of Palau (found on the Data and Publications tab). In its more than 400 pages, the book covers the history and future of coral reefs and other marine habitats in Palau (with plenty of charts and pictures, too). For a more hands-on data hub, readers may want to explore the Biodiversity Database (also found on the Data and Publications tab in the Data Archives section). Here, users can sift through many specimens, narrowing by filters such as "phylum" and "species." [EMB]

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How can innovative data analysis transform into a well-communicated idea? PolicyViz is here to help. Jonathan Schwabish created the site with the aim of "helping [readers] do a better job processing, analyzing, sharing, and presenting your data." Schwabish is "an economist by training," having received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University and an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to maintaining PolicyViz, he is a Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy Center. His expertise informs his writing on various aspects of data visualization and data communication. Recent posts cover how to use mosaic charts to display data in a clear and appealing way and summarize (with an embedded recording) a webinar on "Racial Equity Awareness Presentation" from the Data Visualization NY Meetup. Readers still adjusting to virtual life may want to explore the July 27, 2020 post, "On ... PowerPoint in Zoom," which gives a couple of tips for seamless presentations. In addition to the Blog, readers may want to check out the PolicyViz Podcast, where Schwabish chats with other data visualization experts. Additional resources are also available on the Services page, though some require fees to access. [EMB]

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While the National Galleries Scotland's four physical locations in Edinburgh are completing a phased re-opening adhering to pandemic guidelines, the Collections website provides a handy way to virtually tour the Galleries' artifacts. Here, readers will find works currently in storage, or otherwise not on view, as well as artworks held at any of the locations, including the Scottish National Gallery, Modern One, Modern Two, and the Portrait Gallery. Artworks are organized into browsable groups, such as New Acquisitions, Surrealism, Contemporary Art in Scotland, Highlights, and Photography. After selecting a particular work, it is possible to find more information about the artist, related works, and even curated shopping suggestions. For example, the page for John Singer Sargent's portrait Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1864 - 1932), painted in 1892 and currently out on loan, links to more information about Sargent, the audio guide to the painting, topically related works, and a Sargent-inspired silk scarf that can be ordered online from the Gallery shop. The Art & Artists tab provides other ways to browse across the site, using categories such as "artists" and "artworks." [DS]

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Based at the Universities of Edinburgh, Manchester, Oxford, and Southampton, the Software Sustainability Institute brings together stakeholders with expertise in software development, management, research, and engagement. Though the areas of expertise vary, the key belief is shared: that "software has made an invaluable contribution to advancing research." In order to move both software and research forward, the Institute creates resources that explore the connection between the two. Readers may enjoy the Institute's various Guides (found under the Resources tab), which are curated with four main audiences in mind: researchers, managers, developers, and teachers. The organization also supports a variety of case studies covering everything from software engineering to software evaluation. Other reading materials are found on the Blog (linked at the top of the page) and in the Publications section (under Resources). Readers in a time crunch will want to browse the Top Tips section (under Resources), where information is boiled down to quick, easy-to-read primers. The Institute receives funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, and several other major councils. Its work is also supported by partnerships with technology and research organizations in the UK and beyond. [EMB]

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While November and Native American Heritage Month are coming to a close, Indigenous culture should be recognized year-round. This post about Native American musicians focuses on the evolution of Indigenous music, from the "forerunners" of rock and roll (for example, Jimi Hendrix and Robbie Robertson) to the modern music scene (including hip-hop artist Prolific The Rapper and "folkloric" singer Lila Downs). The post profiles 11 Native American artists spanning genres and geographic locations. Each artist profile includes a brief description of their work and story, as well as an embedded clip of one of their songs. Readers will also find these songs, and many bonus selections, compiled in a Spotify playlist (linked at the top of the post). The blog post is largely inspired by a film of a similar name, RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World, which offers viewers "an electric look at Native American influence in popular music, going deep into the Indigenous foundations of rock." Gregg McVicar published this piece in January 2019. McVicar is also the "host and producer of the daily eclectic music show UnderCurrents," which readers can tune into nationwide via Native Voice One. [EMB]

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Each week, INDIGEFI brings listeners an hour of Indigenous music. Alexis Sallee hosts the show, connecting listeners with established and up-and-coming Native artists, as well as interviewing musicians on "the unique Indigenous background and passions that inform the artist's work." The Archive page highlights featured artists from the show, with a brief biography and links to their discographies and social media platforms. As the Archive's filters suggest, INDIGEFI has featured a range of musical genres, from electronic to soul. Native Voice One distributes the show, and listeners can tune in via Native Voice One's app or on radio stations across the country (check out the Stations tab to find an option). INDIGEFI is produced by Koahnic Broadcast Corporation (KBC), an Anchorage, Alaska-based and Alaska Native-governed nonprofit media center. The program receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, as well as sponsors and underwriters. Listeners may also enjoy INDIGEFI's new podcast, Native Artist, which "takes a deep dive into the stories of Indigenous artists, spanning a wide range of artistic disciplines." The link to listen is embedded on the Home page. [EMB]

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Canada's National Arts Centre (NAC) celebrates and cultivates the performing arts. The site's Resources page is well suited for music and other creative-arts educators. Here, instructors will find videos, lesson plans, and other activities for their classrooms. For example, several video series are embedded at the top of the page, including a Songwriting Workshop Series with Ila Baker, a Winnipeg folk artist and NAC teaching artist. Further down the page, readers will find a link to "All My Relations: Celebrating Canada's Indigenous Peoples," a teaching guide with music, poetry, and dance based lesson plans. Other educational resource kits, audio clips, and sheet music can also be found on the page. Some of these materials are broader in scope (for example, the "Celebrating Canada's Indigenous Peoples Through Song and Dance" teaching guide), while others are more specific (such as lesson plans and audio tracks based on composer Franz Schubert). Whatever materials instructors select, the NAC encourages users to make it their own and tailor the resources to inspire "music and arts learning," in their classrooms. [EMB]

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Bringing listeners a "one hour soundtrack to the Indigenous Next Wave: a new generation of Indigenous artists reclaiming their culture through music and song," RECLAIMED is well worth the listen. The weekly program is available on CBC Music, and Canadian readers can tune in live via CBC On Demand. Readers outside of Canada should click the "Listen online" link for a select collection of episodes available. The program touches on many themes, including "celebration, resistance, and reclamation," and introduces "a new generation of Indigenous artists, while paying respect to First Nations musicians of previous generations that have set the stage for today's emerging talent to rise." Jarrett Martineau hosts the show, drawing on his academic background (a M.A. and a Ph.D. in Indigenous Governance) and his creative expertise (in addition to hosting the show, Martineau is the co-founder and Creative Producer of the contemporary Indigenous music collective Revolutions Per Minute). Readers can also follow the program on Twitter, @CBCReclaimed. [EMB]

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The History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast shares stories of the islands, with a focus on "pre-European Tangata Whenua, the people of the land, also known as Maori." Episodes cover a range of topics, from horticulture to linguistics, and at the link above readers will find an episode on Maori music. This installment is part one of two with guest James Holt, a Maori music expert who wrote his dissertation on the unique aspects of the melodies. Holt discusses the music's history, ancestry, and characteristics, providing a comprehensive overview of Maori music. Both installments on Maori music (Episodes 43 and 44) are found on the Home page, as are dozens of other episodes. Readers will find Transcripts for select shows via the Menu. To further explore Maori music, check out the Sources page, which has a section on Taonga Puoro (Maori Musical Instruments). The podcast is listener-powered, supported by individuals who donate to the show's Patreon channel. [EMB]

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Last featured in the 12-07-2018 Scout Report, this resource allows readers to view the Americans exhibit from home, learning more about the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday and significant aspects of the United State's complicated history with Indigenous peoples.

Americans is a stunning digital exhibition created by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian to accompany the museum's physical exhibition by the same name, which is currently on view in Washington, D.C. until 2022. Both the digital and physical exhibitions showcase how "American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life." Visitors to the digital exhibition can explore an immense interactive gallery of advertising, memorabilia, and other images from American pop culture depicting representations of Native Americans. Clicking an image brings up a larger view, along with a brief annotation. Viewers will also find four stories integrated into the gallery: "The Invention of Thanksgiving," "Queen of America," "The Removal Act," and "The Indians Win." These stories provide a more in-depth look at historical figures and events, such as Pocahontas and the Battle of Little Bighorn, that have taken on lives of their own in American culture. Americans was co-curated by Comanche author and essayist Paul Chaat Smith and Cecile R. Ganteaume, author of the book Officially Indian: Symbols that Define the United States. [JDC] [EMB]

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