Category Archives: Francis Parkman

Pets for Supper?

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Feasting on Bugs, Bunnies & Dogs Some folks dine on dog-meat. In Indonesia, raising dogs (and cats) is practical, according to a recent New York Times article. Dogs and cats “require far less space and feed resources than growing cows,” … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, Bangkok, Francis Parkman, Lakota, writing | 2 Comments

The Day Julia Joined the Osage

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

My uncle sat in the front seat while I drove his car, pointing out the sights on our drive to Pine Ridge—there’s Russell Means’ house, there’s the Agency, there’s Big Bat’s store. We parked the car and John, my daughter … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Francis Parkman, Indian, Mothers Day, native american, native press, Native Science, Osage | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Blinded by perspective

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Ninety years ago John Noel joined a group of determined mountaineers to capture on film their adventures climbing Mount Everest. Noel’s 1924 silent film has been refreshed and recently celebrated a North West premiere to a packed house. And while … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, cinema, epic of everest, Francis Parkman, george mallory | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Okla-homeward bound

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

June marks the season when families return to Oklahoma and South Dakota. I’m packing a suitcase in my mind, getting mentally ready for the journey. Soon we will join our relatives in Grayhorse for the Osage dances: a time when … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, human origin, Indian, journalism, Lakota, native american, native press, Native Science, Osage, race, Redskins, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Rosie Red Top

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

My indatsay, John, shows me a sepia photograph of his family at their home on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The place bears the indelicate name of Stinking Water Creek. Relatives stare at the camera while a white-haired elder sits on … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Lakota, native american, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Crazy Horse: Tiyospaye

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

Larry McMurtry—who wrote Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment—penned a biography of Crazy Horse that proved a solid summer read. McMurtry writes about my relatives in the book Crazy Horse (Penguin-Viking, 1999). He says Crazy Horse … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Believing in the Past: Part 2

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

My last blog shared Francis Parkman’s loving memories of my forebear Henri Chatillon, who served as Parkman’s guide on The Oregon Trail. Chatillon embodied many fine qualities I hope one day to inherit. His wife, my great-great-great grandmother Bear Robe, … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, framing, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Lakota, native american, Native Science, science communication | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sequester the Evidence

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

No photographs or images of my ancestor Bear Robe have emerged from the Oglala, Osage or French sides of my family. With one exception. A rolled-up canvas, tucked in the rafters of the family home in St. Louis, was discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Lakota, Native Science, Osage | Tagged | Leave a comment

Medicine Month

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

When I lived in Georgia a fellow academic cautioned me about planning anything on Wednesday evening. Some folks go to church, he said. And when I lived in Teheran, we went to the American School Monday through Thursday, and on … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Indian | 1 Comment

Deciphering the Real Indian

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Cynthia Coleman Emery

American Indians face a double whammy when it comes to authenticity: how do you know what is real? As a die-hard empiricist, I never thought I would turn to critical theorists to illuminate American Indian authenticity. But here I am.

Posted in authenticity, cinema, Francis Parkman | Tagged | 2 Comments