Category Archives: authenticity

Missing truths

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

As a kid growing up in Southern California (we moved overseas when I was 10) we visited missions that dot the west, built by Spanish priests centuries ago. I remember the missions reverently: made of adobe and tile that cooled … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, framing, Indian, journalism, Junipera Serra, science, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

But is it science?

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The movement among scholars of science communication—non-Indian and Indians alike—has been to elevate Native science to the same level as Western science. Like Laurie Anderson’s song, typically science is considered Big Science. Science with a capital S. Native science, on … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Indian, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yes, but is it significant?

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

Whenever you write a grant or ask for a promotion in an academic setting, you’re required to justify the significance of your research. Problem is, most of us are so embroiled in our work that we don’t question it: we … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, framing, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transparent worlds, murky words

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My sweetheart and I started a new tradition during our travels by taking in the work of local artists. A few years ago, our Turkish friends urged us to visit the Istanbul Modern, where we saw splendid work of regional … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Carol Rama, Cindy Sherman, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Fitting the data to your theory  

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

In the 19th century scientists thought personality was a function of the brain’s landscape. Today psychologists scan images of the brain, looking for areas that map feelings and sensations, trying to draw linkages between thoughts with the physicality of the … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Indian, Native Science, phrenology, science | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Something about Jersey

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When we travel my husband and I like to pick out the accents and guess homelands of strangers. We can ferret out Dutch in a snap (we’ve both spent time in Holland) and Brits and Aussies are easy to identify. … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, journalism, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

When dinners were frozen

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When did we get caught in the foodie era? Maybe it’s the Portlandia culture but somewhere along the cooking path, I took a turn to foodiedom. My friends and family adore Bittman and Pollan, Kasper and Katzen. Weekends are highlighted … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Indian, journalism, Native Science | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Indian, journalism, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, framing, Indian, journalism, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in authenticity, framing, Indian, journalism, writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment