Category Archives: human origin

When words aren’t what they seem

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

How fortuitous that Native American Heritage Month comes at a time when I’ve been invited to write a book chapter about my work in Native Science. Below I’ve woven together words that describe what I do for the book’s editors … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, Kennewick Man, NAGPRA, native american, Native Science, neuroscience, repatriation, salmon, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

OK: Hokahey

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The most prominent misunderstanding about native people living in North America is that we are all the same. Truth is, life at Rosebud is different from life at Gallup. We visited relatives in June in South Dakota, where we attended … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, human origin, Indian, Lakota, native american, Native Science, writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Science Ethics Redux

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Henrietta Lacks is back in the news. Lacks’ story captured headlines after Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 book revealed the dying mother had her cells removed for science—without her permission. Doctors at Johns Hopkins hospital had tried unsuccessfully to keep alive human … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, health, human origin, journalism, science, science communication, social media, writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Defining Race

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The conversation turned to race. My talk Wednesday at the Newberry focussed on Native and scientific perspectives, particularly over Kennewick Man–the 9300-year-old skeleton discovered in the Columbia River. During the question and answer session one guest asked if Kennewick Man … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, native american, Native Science, news bias, repatriation, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Nit-picking Scientific American

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

Excited to crack open my first issue of Scientific American. My colleagues in the science writing and science information fields have recommended the magazine to me. So, after receiving a bonus from the web-based superstore Amazon, I traded points for … Continue reading →

Posted in framing, health, human origin, journalism, Native Science, neuroscience, news bias, risk, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Scientific Innovation? Who Says?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

While flipping though the latest Smithsonian magazine I paused at the following statement: “It is no exaggeration to say that America was founded on innovation.” Having spent November steeped in American Indian ways-of-knowing (I pledged to write each day about … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, framing, human origin, native american, Native Science, science | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What Native Cause Will You Support?

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My mailbox is stuffed with fliers from L.L. Bean and Lands End along with a bundle of requests from indigenous charities: American Indian College Fund, American Indian Youth Running Strong and St. Joseph’s Indian School. This year I’m supporting nationally … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, human origin, Indian, journalism, native american, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Science or Religion?

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

My talk this past weekend at Lincoln City gave me a chance to put my promise into action: Encourage folks to view events through a Native American lens. As part of Native American Heritage Month I was asked to talk … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, NAGPRA, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in authenticity, human origin, Indian, journalism, Native Science, science | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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