Author Archives: Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Unknown's avatar

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.

Advertising’s Ubiquity

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

The word of the day in our propaganda class is ubiquity. Advertising, we learned, is ubiquitous. Borrowed from the Latin, by way of the French, ubique refers to “everywhere.” Students understand advertising completely, offering examples from the logos on football … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, american indian, censorship, ethics, propaganda | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Haiku: Indian Brains

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

  Drop seeds into skull,   Fill the void, count the seeds,   That’s your brain, your smarts.   #30poemsin3days

Posted in 30poemsin30days, american indian | Leave a comment

Harnessed

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

You somehow Got tangled in your harness Wrapped in a nylon belt Lassoed through and through How did you do this, I asked You whimpered Fix it, don’t touch me. Pair of shears Should do it. But nothing doing. You … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian | Leave a comment

Inspiration

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

I placed some of our lilac cuttings in a vase for inspiration as I consider today’s poem. Our Pacific Northwest flowers are a delicate pink: not purple like the pictures that adorn air freshener products for your bathroom. Local lilacs … Continue reading →

Posted in 30poemsin30days, american indian, Indian, Miwok, native press | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Poem a Day

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

When I signed up for the 30 Poems in 30 Days challenge, I didn’t know it would alter my daily outlook. Like a Buddhist I set my intention for the day, which takes the form of a poem. But there’s … Continue reading →

Posted in 30poemsin30days, american indian | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Bonanza

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I caught a bug somewhere between Portland and Albuquerque, so I’m feeding it hot tea, aspirin, soup and ice cream. With the aim of getting a sympathetic response from my husband, I take my temperature often, but it never even … Continue reading →

Posted in 30poemsin30days, american indian | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

When Hope Diminishes

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When the writer and neurologist Oliver Sacks learned his death was certain, he wrote that he was going to stop reading the daily news. Reading and listening to the news each morning is a long-held routine, yet I think it … Continue reading →

Posted in 30poemsin30days, american indian, poetry, zen | 1 Comment

Poetry: Day Three

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

The third day of poem-writing looms. I wonder what’s the purpose is of poetry. True: I am a writer; but not a poet. I don’t know the theories or the patterns or the literature. So I’m stuck with one notion only: … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian | 1 Comment

Where the state tree is a telephone pole

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

The state tree is a telephone pole, he joked. Zig Jackson (Mandan) began his story at the beginning: growing up in Fort Berthold, North Dakota. Few trees and a lot of telephone poles in that part of the state, he … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, family values, Geronimo, Indian, native american, native press, Portland Art Musem, Zig Jackson | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A gathering of minds: Indian style

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Our conference in Albuquerque focused on narratives and how they shape meaning. Students and scholars from across the United States and Canada—most of them tribal members—delivered thoughtful presentations about how meanings are created in photographs, cartoons, internet games, news media, … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, education, Indian, mascots, native american, poetry, race, science | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment