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.

Synecdoche Moms

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Remember the Mom Jeans fauxmercial on Saturday Night Live? In case you missed it, the clip shows a clutch of women wearing elastic-waisted blue jeans necessary for the woman who needs some give in her tummy and derriere. The poochy … Continue reading →

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Pie Five Days

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

We started a new tradition in November. I call it Pie Five Days. My symbol for Pie Five Days is an open hand: the symbol Osages use to adorn clothing and blankets, and the same symbol school children use to … Continue reading →

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The Grass Dancer

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I love the book, The Grass Dancer. Each story in the book kidnaps you on a journey through Indian Country, crossing over metaphysical and spiritual boundaries. The book won the coveted PEN-Hemingway Award for Best First Fiction. The author, Susan … Continue reading →

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Learning from Ferguson, Part II

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Structural issues—poverty, education, advancement opportunities and health disparities—affect communities in significant ways. Some of the larger issues are being tackled right now, in part because of the turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri. Fortunately some reporters, critics, pundits and politicians are paying … Continue reading →

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Learning from Ferguson, Part I

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One important lesson we can learn from the anger and violence waged lately in Ferguson, Missouri, is how we look at core problems. My pledge this November has been to write 30 blogs about issues through the lens of American … Continue reading →

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When headlines lie

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The mainstream headlines are disquieting: Britain’s Telegraph: Seals helped Europeans wipe out Native Americans eScience: Sea lions, not Columbus, may be to blame for many Native American tuberculosis deaths Yahoo News: Seals not Columbus brought TB to Americas Examiner.com Seals, … Continue reading →

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Magazine takes Redskins to task

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The New Yorker magazine’s latest issue hit subscribers and newsstands this week with a cover that takes the Redskins football team to task. Titled, First Thanksgiving, the cover—a painting by Bruce McCall—shows a trio of Native Americans arriving at a … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving: what’s the point?

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Sometimes folks who know my Osage and Sioux ancestry ask if we celebrate Thanksgiving. Sure, I say. My family, my mother’s family, her mother’s family—all through the generations—have shared supper with friends and relatives, thanking the creator for the harvest … Continue reading →

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Make way for the athlete tyospiye

Posted on November 27, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I have to admit I love Indian athletes. I grew up with stories of Jim Thorpe, Billy Mills and John Barnes. My family would talk about Indian athletes as kin. Jim Thorpe (Wa-Tho-Huk) seemed to excel at every sport he … Continue reading →

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Sounds like Ethel Merman

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Just like the song says, I can’t bake a pie. You have to love Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun, singing her heart out. The competition between sharpshooter Annie Oakley (Merman) and marksman Frank Butler (Howard Keel) rolls out … Continue reading →

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