Category Archives: Indian

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

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

Season of Persuasion

Posted on August 31, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

As voting season approaches I’m acutely aware of efforts to persuade me. So when I received a colored brochure in the mail yesterday I quickly scanned the cover for the key message. It looked like an ad for a new … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, health, Indian, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

When Indians are invisible in science

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

When are American Indians invisible? As a critic of mass media and Indian representations, I am mindful of the gross caricatures that persist. Pocahontas. Chief Wahoo. The Land O’Lakes butter maiden. These are memorable images of Indians.

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When Science Meets Superstition

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

We can’t help but be a tad superstitious when it comes to our well-being. Including me. Human nature lets us take credit when good things come our way: we think we somehow deserve it. But when bad juju befalls us, … Continue reading →

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Mixed Bloods

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

My Lakota relatives John and his brother Ben Artichoker grew up with their family in a modest home at Stinking Water Creek at the Pine Ridge Reservation, where they were considered “mixed-bloods.” John says they didn’t have much money and … Continue reading →

Posted in Indian, Lakota | Tagged , | 2 Comments

On the Rez

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

John Artichoker opens the door, welcoming us to Rapid City. The flights from Portland were uneventful, and my daughter Wee-Hey and I are excited to spend time with our Lakota relatives, travel to the Pine Ridge reservation, and witness Sundance. … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Indian, Lakota, Osage | 1 Comment

Can You Prove You’re Indian?

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

>My editors want me to add a chapter to my book on the topic of American Indian identity. Identity holds loads of currency. Seems folks find identity resonant. But imagine writing a chapter on, say African American identity, or how … Continue reading →

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Indian Authenticity

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Cynthia (Istá Thó Thó) Coleman Emery

The timing was perfect. I finished presenting a paper at an academic conference in Phoenix on authenticity, specifically the media portrayal of the ancient skeleton Kennewick man. And then authenticity hit the fan. I was surrounded by stories of Indian … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, Geronimo, Indian, journalism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment