Category Archives: authenticity

Telling the Story Indian Style

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Last week I heard Indian storytellers unfurl their tales when the Northwest Indian Storytellers Association gathered in Portland. I was enlightened and humbled to listen to Native storytellers weave their magic. We heard tales of coyote and raven, Lakota and … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, censorship, ethics, journalism, Lakota, Native Science, Osage, salmon, science, science communication | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When Buildings are Alive

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When Eirik Thorsgard talked about sacred sites to a college audience this week, he asks how we define sacred. Is sacredness different for Indians? Catholics? Jews? Thorsgard, who works as the historic preservation officer for Confederated Tribes of the Grand … Continue reading →

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Indian Giver?

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Imagine returning Mount Hood—the majestic landmark volcano in Oregon—back to local tribes as a marker of good faith and in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Sound crazy? The suggestion isn’t all that bizarre according to Eirik Thorsgard, who spoke … Continue reading →

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Bizarre Month

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

A bizarre intersection occurs when October 31 greets November 1. We leap from All Hallows Eve to Native American Heritage Month just by turning a page on the calendar. Halloween agitates some of my American Indian brethren. Native regalia aren’t … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, film, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, Native Science, repatriation, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Break the Rules

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Students and scientists gathered in Seattle last week to talk about how to succeed in their careers—not only as scientists—but as American Indians and Hispanic individuals. So I was honored to speak about science communication that impacts Indian tribes and … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, Native Science, science, science communication, social media, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Use Columbus Day to Confront Stereotypes

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Monday ushers in Columbus Day, an event that irritates indigenous folks in North America. Particularly vexing is the well-worn trope that Columbus “discovered” the continent. Christopher Columbus offers a convenient target for our wrath but I can think of many … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, Indian, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , | 55 Comments

When Research Creates Origami

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The New England Journal of Medicine went out on a limb with an editorial that advised readers to let the data speak for themselves. And ignore the funding source. Jeffrey M. Drazen’s September 20 editorial says that a study’s “validity … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, health, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

You are Your Brain

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Our brains serve us well, remembering that tigers are fierce and blue-black berries are poisonous. But our brains fool us. We lock down on stereotypes: all tigers are fierce. All blue-black berries are poisonous. And we do that with people, … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, framing, science, writing | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Science of Lies

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

There are lies others tell us and there are lies we tell ourselves. What is the science of lies? Recently journalists have invoked neuroscience to explain everything from women’s orgasms to the Republican brain. An article I read this week … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, censorship, ethics, framing, health, journalism, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Vagina, Male Style?

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The Economist carried a review of Naomi Wolf’s new book, Vagina: A New Biography, and I remarked to my honey that the British news magazine has a male voice. How can you tell, he asked? You can just tell, I … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, censorship, framing, journalism, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment