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 about Kennewick Man at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum. And I asked the audience to see if they could shift their perspectives by viewing their interactions through Indian eyes. Continue reading
Indians once lived here
But November—Native American Heritage Month—ushers in the invitation to see more than just these two events through Indian eyes.
Try it.
When you listen to the news today or pull up your internet, take a moment to view information and events through a different lens. Continue reading
New Jersey shore
And write about it every day.
During the election blitz, my head got filled with visions of projects created under the Roosevelt administration to create jobs for workers: more than 3 million in the 1930s. Continue reading
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 by accident more than 100 years after Bear Robe perished. Continue reading
Mahto Tatonka
So, in keeping with the sense of heritage, I’m sharing stories about my ancestors, including Henri Chatillon, who served as Francis Parkman’s guide on the Oregon Trail in the 1800s. Continue reading
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 dams.
He completed 26 songs in 30 days, Continue reading
Esther Stutzman
I was enlightened and humbled to listen to Native storytellers weave their magic. We heard tales of coyote and raven, Lakota and Haida. Some just for children. Some more ribald for adults.
One evening my honey and I were honored to sit at dinner with elder Esther Stutzman, who talked about how she learned stories from her grandmother. Continue reading
St. Benedict
Is sacredness different for Indians? Catholics? Jews?
Thorsgard, who works as the historic preservation officer for Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, told the crowd about one sacred site that crosses cultural divides. Continue reading
Mount Hood, a sacred space
Sound crazy?
The suggestion isn’t all that bizarre according to Eirik Thorsgard, who spoke about cultural preservation at a talk on my campus in Portland.
Mount Hood, Oregon’s highest peak, has deep meaning as a spiritual place for American Indians.
And native denizens could make a compelling argument—based on oral histories and tribal traditions—that Mount Hood is a sacred space, a spiritual place, and a cultural resource.
Not just a compelling argument. A legal argument.
Critics blanch at the thought of returning Mount Hood—Oregon’s largest ski resort–to the Indians.
Key is how we define our terms: Culture. Tradition. Property.
Thorsgard asked his elders about the definitions. What isn’t culture? was one elder’s reply.
Everything is culture.
So defining what is traditional cultural property isn’t all that difficult for native tribes.
But getting property returned? Repatriated?
That’s quite a different story and the stuff of heated debate, newspaper stories and lawsuits.
[Photo of Mount Hood from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood%5D
You can buy authenticity
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 costumes and resentment brews when trick-or-treaters don feathers and fringe. Continue reading
Cynthia (Ištá Tȟó Tȟó) Coleman Emery's Blog 