Area residents gathered for an open form to discuss educating children on ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. The program, “To A Fuller Joy: Teaching Our Children about America’s Rich Multicultural Heritage” was led by Leigh Ann Erickson. From left are Ed Laarman, CRU:CA; Leigh Ann Erickson; Kaye Miziniak; and Kristin Novara. Not shown is Dawn Kranz. (Sue Roell photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Local residents recently took part in an open forum about what parents and educators can do to help children to know, respect, and appreciate people of different ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds.

The program, “To A Fuller Joy: Teaching Our Children about America’s Rich Multicultural Heritage,” featured Leigh Ann Erickson, an award-winning Iowa teacher, lecturer, author, and consultant. The event was at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

Erickson, who specializes in teacher training, curriculum planning, and providing educational resources to help bridge racial and cultural divides, led the discussion.

She was joined by a panel of local educators, Dawn Kranz, Kaye Miziniak and Kristin Novara, who shared insights on why multicultural understanding is important to all of students, and how they incorporate it in the classrooms.

After the presentations, the audience engaged the speakers in a lively discussion.

The program was sponsored by the local group Christians for Racial Understanding: Community for All — CRU:CA — with additional funding coming from the Dickinson Area Community Foundation and the Pasahow Community Impact Fund.

The mission of CRU:CA is to “further racial understanding in ourselves, our community, and our country,” and to “pursue dignity, justice, and respect for people of all races.” The group has Christian roots, but stresses that it is a community for all, welcoming all to participate in its mission.

CRU:CA meets at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford on the third Tuesday of each month, with a voluntary book discussion at 1 p.m. and the regular meeting at 2 p.m.

CRU:CA looks forward to drawing support from the community so that it can sponsor more programs like “To A Fuller Joy” in addition to hosting the Martin Luther King Community Celebration every January and other events.

For more information about CRU:CA, email Ed Laarman at northwoodscru@yahoo.com or call 319-594-2621.

For those who were not able to attend, a video of the April 22 event will be uploaded to the Christians for Racial Understanding Facebook page in the near future.