Author Archives: Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

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About Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Professor and researcher who studies science communication, particularly issues that impact American Indians. Dr. Coleman is an enrolled citizen of the Osage Nation.

If the Buffalo is the National Mammal, is Biological Warfare the National Military Strategy?

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Originally posted on Memories of the People:
In an all-too-common example of revisionist history, NPR’s story of the bison becoming the “National Mammal” recounted the near-extinction of the species during American expansion while completely failing to mention that the buffalo slaughter was a deliberate…

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Irony Attack

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

A full-throttle example of irony begins with a drive to visit relatives south of Portland on a beautiful spring day. We sit and chat inside, so it is odd indeed that by twilight I discover my arms and hands have … Continue reading →

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The Day Julia Joined the Osage

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My uncle sat in the front seat while I drove his car, pointing out the sights on our drive to Pine Ridge—there’s Russell Means’ house, there’s the Agency, there’s Big Bat’s store. We parked the car and John, my daughter … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Francis Parkman, Indian, Mothers Day, native american, native press, Native Science, Osage | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

My mother: the cop

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

An enduring memory of my mother was her sheer authority. She literally packed a pistol. As a deputy sheriff for Los Angeles County, she carried a purse that had a built-in holster for her gun. One day, she clearly and … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, native american, Native American Heritage Month, native press, Osage | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

And that’s 30

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

  For Karl Popper I take refuge In the search for truth But what is truth? Is it knowledge? Is it possessing knowledge? Rather, It’s the quest for truth That defines us Poem 29   Spring A riot of words … Continue reading →

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Nearly There

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Sunday Haiku Sunday’s denouement Flatlines the weekend Yet again Poem 26 Friendship We have been friends For years and years We pick up where we left off No matter The space in between No matter the spouse in between   … Continue reading →

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30 Poems in 30 Days

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Heuristic We see what we want to see Human nature’s best guess, Rorschach and Roshomon Holding hands on the street corner, Hoping you will gaze in their direction, Looking, but not seeing. #Poem24     Like Sugar Rolling by the … Continue reading →

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Playing the Woman Card

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Don’t look now: media are priming us. Priming in the same sense that you prime a pump by activating the flow of water. When you want to extract water from a well, you first need to “prime the pump” by … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, neuroscience, propaganda, science, science communication, social media | 1 Comment

What is courage?

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Today’s news made me wonder: how do you define courage? I heard a report that one of the US presidential candidates was “strong” and “courageous” after taking on the gun lobby No doubt it takes guts to get behind sanctions … Continue reading →

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Rain so Hard

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Rain so hard Soaks the shoots Stones the rocks Pummels the peonies Violates the violets Then stops Like a weary boxer Spent Leaving pools of damp Poem 23 Woodcut by Kawanabe Kyōsai  (1831-1889) titled “White Heron in the Rain” from http://risdmuseum.org/art_design/objects/5115_white_heron_in_the_rain_uchu_sagi?context=9&type=galleries

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