Category Archives: science

What Native Cause Will You Support?

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

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Neuroscience: Le Mot du Jour

David Eagleman’s talk last evening engendered many comments around the supper table about neuroscience. Like soup du jour, neuroscience is le mot du jour (the word of the day). Neuroscience clings to the headlines like a bear to honey.

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We Want it Now

You could distill last night’s lecture into one phrase: Wait for it. Neuroscientist David Eagleman gave a public lecture in Portland on how to better manage the angel and devil on your shoulder when you’re trying to lost weight, quit … Continue reading

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Portland Acknowledges Indians…and Science

Throughout the month of November I’ve been viewing my blogs through the lens of American Indian sensibilities. The exercise is illuminating: what happens when everything you think about and write about is through such a lens? I have been critical … Continue reading

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Science or Religion?

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

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Our Ancestors’ Tales: Rude and Fierce

For the month of November I’m writing a blog a day in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. So, in keeping with the sense of heritage, I’m sharing stories about my ancestors, including Henri Chatillon, who served as Francis Parkman’s … Continue reading

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When Indians are Forgotten

Folk singer Woody Guthrie’s memory is being honored in 2012, marking his 100th birthday. Guthrie has a Northwest connection. In 1941 the balladeer drove his Pontiac from New York to Oregon so he could write songs of praise for the … Continue reading

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Telling the Story Indian Style

Last week I heard Indian storytellers unfurl their tales when the Northwest Indian Storytellers Association gathered in Portland. I was enlightened and humbled to listen to Native storytellers weave their magic. We heard tales of coyote and raven, Lakota and … Continue reading

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When Buildings are Alive

When Eirik Thorsgard talked about sacred sites to a college audience this week, he asks how we define sacred. Is sacredness different for Indians? Catholics? Jews? Thorsgard, who works as the historic preservation officer for Confederated Tribes of the Grand … Continue reading

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Indian Giver?

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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