"In Their Own Words" Makes Return Visit

In Their Own Words:
Perseverance and Resilience in Two Florida Fishing Communities

Free and Open to the Public

Cedar Key School Auditorium
8:00 pm
October 14th, 2006

In Their Own Words is a documentary and photo exhibit that examines the changes endured by two Florida coastal communities as they struggle with issues of natural resource dependence and coastal development. Using audio and video excerpts from oral history interviews and a photographic essay the film portrays contemporary life in the resilient communities of Cortez and Cedar Key, Florida.

Fishing communities that once fringed the entire Florida peninsula and panhandle have all but vanished. Those that survive face a combination of challenges, including rapid population growth, coastal development, degradation of local ecosystems, and increasing regulation of marine resources.

As part of the Florida Humanities Council's Gathering program, the In Their Own Words project explores these changes and their effects on the people, their community and landscape.

The collaboration of maritime anthropologist Dr. Michael Jepson and photographer Carlton Ward, Jr. documents how these two fishing communities have adapted to dramatic change to their traditional way of life and provides a glimpse of their future, through their own words.

For more details visit contact Monica Rowland at mrowland@flahum.org or (727) 873-2005.