Category Archives: authenticity

Stoic Indian

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

The stereotype of stoicism among Native Americans has carried far and wide, although its relationship to real life is a thin one. The Stoics (with a capital S) were Greek philosophers known for their austerity, according to the Oxford English … Continue reading →

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Is Nothing Sacred?

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Spend an evening with the 1491s and you will think nothing is sacred. The troupe of American Indian actors, artists, improvisers and clowns poke fun at tradition while simultaneously stripping away stereotypes aimed at indigenous peoples, including the stereotypes held … Continue reading →

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The Inner Voice of Optimism

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

What was life like for our ancestors 100 years ago? That’s about three generations—from my grandmother to me. In many ways Ecko’s life was simpler with no cell phones and freeways. But it was also tough, thanks to tuberculosis and … Continue reading →

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Authenticity

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

One of my students has been researching authenticity and reported in class that the group that wears the authenticity veil defines what constitutes authenticity. In other words, it’s up to the group. That makes sense for skaters and hipsters but … Continue reading →

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Black Hawk’s Skull

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Science is often deployed to meet political ends but we don’t always recognize when. Phrenology emerged as a pseudo-scientific way to define race through empirical means. Scientists used painstaking measurements to show how the landscape of the skull—its ridges and … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Black Hawk, framing, Indian, journalism, Native Science, phrenology, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

All in Your Head

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

I’ve been exploring how science has affected policies and attitudes regarding American Indians. We know that reservation life and boarding schools weighed heavily on Native peoples. Few, however, have spent time uncovering how science has been deployed to serve political … Continue reading →

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Science and Trust: What’s Rational?

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

The disenfranchised among us have a history of distrusting science. Some scientists just don’t get it: how can you overlook evolution? Climate change? Diabetes? Native Americans—and African-Americans and Hispanics—can point to specific examples when the mantle of science caused harm.

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Dammit, Jim, I’m a Doctor, Not a Scientist

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The refrain from the original Star Trek physician, Bones, has arisen like Lazarus from the mortuary of old TV shows. But this time it’s politicians. When asked their opinions of, say, climate change, politicians of late have demurred. “I’m not … Continue reading →

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Reconciling Faith

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Is it true? One of my students asked me if it’s true that American Indians don’t believe in the land bridge hypothesis. The student is enrolled in a critical race theory class, taught by an American Indian scholar, who told … Continue reading →

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Why American Indians don’t have rights

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The issue of “rights” in North America entered into conversation when I saw this week that—after 38 years—a judge ruled two ancient skeletons could be given to a California tribe for reburial. Unlike Kennewick Man—which has yet to be returned—a … Continue reading →

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