Roundhouse Intern Tavi Lorelle Carpenter Celebrates Her Last Day
by Tavi Lorelle Carpenter
It’s funny how quickly time can pass, especially as the end approaches. Saying goodbye is always bittersweet; truth be told, I’m more of the kind to tip-toe out as quietly as possible. There’s something uncomfortable about beginnings and endings. In my last Heyday staff meeting, I said, “Introductions and conclusions are so important, but I always struggle with them; I’d rather just live in the juicy middle.” However, endings offer the opportunity for reflection and a moment to express gratitude.
Being this year’s Graton Heyday Berkeley Roundhouse Writing Intern has been an incredible honor. This year has been a beautiful gift, and I am stepping into the next adventure with a warm heart and my pockets full of experiences.
I didn’t know what the future had in store this time last year. When I finished my BA, I had a hazy sense of wanting to escape. My final spring quarter had been difficult, and a familiar itch to flee danced across my skin. In hindsight, I know what I felt was an inherent draw to connect to something larger than myself. I will be forever grateful to the family member who sent the notice for the Graton Heyday Berkeley Roundhouse Writing internship, as it has been a grounding experience where I have grown so much as a writer and person.
My first meeting at Heyday set the tone for this exciting year; it was clear I would be a welcome addition, not just an intern but a true member of the Heyday family. Everyone was so welcoming, and I am grateful that circumstances made it necessary for me to move up from LA back to the Bay Area, allowing me the experience of working in an office with the Heyday team and Steve Wasserman’s incredible library of books he’s accumulated over the years. My first “in-office” day, I was given a desk in a section of the ground floor Berkeley workspace that housed the oversized art books, every issue of News From Native California, and the special candy drawer that was always stocked (by the awesome Eve Sheehan, Heyday Office Manager)! A fabulous place to start as an artist, dedicated Hershey’s chocolate lover, and as the News intern.
As I discussed in the summer issue, I spent some time pouring over the archives of News. It was incredible to see how the magazine has grown yet stayed the same in its commitment to California Indian people. Whatever the future holds, I know News and Heyday will continue on their path to publishing important works that center California, California Indian people, and all the stories that take place in our beautiful home.
Of all the internships I’ve had, my time at Heyday has been exceptional because of how highly valued community is. One of my favorite parts of the internship was being included in the editorial meetings, where I learned so much about the process of how a book is published. Writing can feel like a solitary activity, but my experiences through this internship have shown me the importance of balancing individual and collective creativity.
I was also grateful to have the opportunity to explore the happenings and going-ons in Los Angeles and the Greater Bay Area. It was a reminder of how, though, as California Indian People, we are very diverse, there is a strong sense of community and solidarity. The excuse of needing to write a weekly article became a marvelous means of exploring all the incredible events in California Indian Country. I’ve attended some of the most thought-provoking conferences, exhibits, cultural events, and celebrations where I’ve been inspired, educated, grounded, and invigorated!
This year, I’ve written 14 articles for the printed magazine and over 40 articles for the website. I’ve covered various topics from book reviews to photo essays, to conferences and events, and my favorite thing to do, interviews. I have spoken with fascinating people doing incredible work within Indian country. But the interviews that are particularly close to my heart were conducted as part of an ongoing series featuring California Indian Artists. Initially, I envisioned this series as being a pre-holiday group of articles. But thankfully, it became a continuous series throughout my entire time as the writing intern. I am so grateful to everyone who participated in this series. It was such an honor to meet you all, and it was truly a gift to share your stories and creativity. I hope all the readers who read the profiles about these talented, creative Indigenous artists were just as inspired as I was!
I would also like to thank and acknowledge the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for donating to make this internship possible. This opportunity provided a livable wage while I was able to cultivate my writing skills, gain insight into publishing, editorial, and media sectors, and connect with the wider California Indian community. It is a rare opportunity, and I hope many more recent Native graduates will participate. News From Native California is one of the most essential publications because of its dedication to centering California Indigenous perspectives and narratives. The founders made a promise in the first issue that they would always “cover the beauty, wisdom, and struggle of what it means to be a California Indian” person. In my experience, this internship offered me the unique opportunity to exist in a work environment that honors, acknowledges, and celebrates who I am as a California Indian person. I cannot understate what an incredible gift that has been.
One of the more daunting challenges of this internship is that you become responsible for editing the summer issue. I remember continuously being nervous about this opportunity, but now, on the other side of it, wow, what an incredible experience! The pride I felt in seeing the magazine in the flesh was indescribable, only one-upped by a video of Grandmother receiving her copy! Thank you so much to our copyeditor, Kim Hogeland, for your incredible editing skills and to our designer, Tamara Lotah Link, for your beautiful design work that brought the issue to life. What a wonderful experience working with you both, and I am so grateful for your support, guidance, and wisdom!
I want to take a moment to thank Terria Smith. Working with you has been an incredible experience, and I am so grateful for your continued encouragement. I am going to miss our weekly check-ins so much! You have such an incredible insight into the world, and I’ve learned so much from you. I really cannot express my gratitude enough!
I would also like to express my gratitude to my family and friends, who are so dear to my heart; everything I do is because of the love and kindness you’ve always given me.
Lastly, I would like to express gratitude to everyone in our California Indian community. I have had the great privilege of being able to write about California Native people and the incredible things we’re all doing. It brings me to tears to think about how proud I have felt to share what I get to do.
I remember Alan Salazar telling me we are all storytellers in our own ways, and I encourage us all to remember this truth.
Because our voices are important, our knowledge is invaluable, our perspectives are needed, and our lived experiences are absolutely essential for the future.
It is in sharing the stories of who we are tied to the story of our home that the impact of fracturing begins to heal through community, strengthened by the compassion of listening.
As I enter the next chapter, I reflect on my commitment to centering community at the beginning of this journey. This year has added a new layer of understanding of what that truly means. It’s not a goal but a lifelong journey that is an incredible honor and responsibility.
Thank you all for teaching me this important lesson.
And while I’m saying goodbye today, I do it with the reminder that until the final goodbye, this is more of a see you around!
