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.

A Frontier Marriage

Bear Robe and Henri’s daughter Emilie was raised by relatives but Henri resumed his paternal duties when Emilie was about 16, bringing her to St. Louis to meet her future husband, a French-Osage-Kanza man named Benjamin Lessert.

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How Do Historians Do It?

I don’t know how historians do it: how do they cleave fiction from fact? As I dig through the stories of Francis Parkman’s French scout, the fierce Oglala chief Bull Bear and the Lesserts, Revards and Herridges of Osage tales, … Continue reading

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Osage and Oglala Forebears

My guide in St. Louis was Mary (Mimi) Stiritz, a generous soul who took time to tell me what she had learned about my family in her historical searches. Mimi introduced me to the Chatillon-DeMenil mansion’s staff and board members … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Indian, Lakota, Native Science, Osage, risk, science, science communication | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Brave Scout, Brave Wife

Our tour guide Kevin O’Neill told captivating stories about my great-great-great-great grandfather Henri Chatillon when I visited the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion in St. Louis. My ancestor met Francis Parkman because the writer wanted to hire Henri as a scout for his … Continue reading

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Ancestors

Today I’m in St. Louis where my forebear Henri Chatillon carved out a life in the 1800s as a scout, most notably to Francis Parkman, who wrote the best–seller, The Oregon Trail. Chatillon is described lovingly by Parkman as courtly, … Continue reading

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Death Tax and Frankenfoods

This week I’m presenting a paper to a national gathering of professors who look at messages and sundry forms of communication. My colleague and I are going out on a limb, asking whether some messages—by their very wording–prevent further scrutiny.

Posted in framing, journalism, news bias, science, science communication | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Cowboys and Aliens

The new movie Cowboys and Aliens puts a tilted spin on the idea of alien. Tear yourself away from Daniel Craig’s azure eyes for a moment and consider the juxtaposition of the concept of alien. The film presents aliens as … Continue reading

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Pink Pee

My doctor said to check my pee. Seems that taking a bunch of antibiotics to whack away a lung infection can wreak havoc on my liver and I need to check my pee.

Posted in authenticity, health, Indian, Lakota | Tagged | 1 Comment

USDA Grade, Women That Is

Turning to local media, I discovered Portland is embraced in a love affair with Leverage. Leverage is a television drama that airs on the TNT network. And Portlanders are enmeshed in the public relations machine that produces the program: we … Continue reading

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Fatty Nation, Tubby Town

When the local obesity group landed a $7.5 million grant from the CDC to advocate for healthy food choices, organizers were joyous. A campaign was launched with advertisements on billboards and busses in Portland that announce “you just ate 16 … Continue reading

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