Monthly Archives: June 2012

Sundance

Posted on June 30, 2012 by

When I walk into my office I smell sage. It smells like home. My cousin gave me a sage garland to place in the house, a memory of my time at the Sundance. I take the garland into my office … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, Family, framing, Lakota, medicine, Native Science, Oglala, Osage, spirituality | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Mixed Bloods

Posted on June 29, 2012 by

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 advertising, Family, Indian, Lakota, Oglala | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

On the Rez

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

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, community, Family, Indian, Lakota, Oglala, Osage | 1 Comment

Can You Prove You’re Indian?

Posted on June 19, 2012 by

>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 →

Posted in authenticity, community, Family, human origin, Indian, individualism, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

What do Folks Think about Indian Issues?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

We wanted to know how people feel about Indian issues in the Pacific Northwest and recently discovered that opinions are mixed. In fact, opinions are pretty lumpy. Take, for example, the issue of sea lions at the Columbia River.

Posted in authenticity, community, individualism, journalism, medicine, Native Science, salmon, science, writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Mother’s Bike

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

Portland is a bicyclist’s town. Take my daughter, Wee-hey. She bikes to work with the countless denizens who choose this method of transport. Wee-hey pedals my mother’s ancient bike from Sears.

Posted in authenticity, community, Family, writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

Naming as Power

Posted on June 14, 2012 by

Auntie told me a story while I was in Oklahoma. The Osage gather each June for the dances in the Grayhorse, Hominy and Pawhuska districts. My aunt and her daughter open their homes to relatives and friends, serving a bounty … Continue reading →

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Indian Authenticity

Posted on June 6, 2012 by

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, community, ethics, Family, framing, Geronimo, Indian, journalism, medicine | Tagged , , | 1 Comment