Category Archives: cinema

Cookie Full of Arsenic

Posted on April 12, 2013 by

I’d hate to take a bite of you. You’re a cookie full of arsenic. That’s just one of the unforgettable quotes from the movie, The Sweet Smell of Success my students viewed this week. Set in 1950s against the backdrop … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, ethics, film, framing, journalism, news bias, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Not Quite, Sherlock

Posted on March 15, 2013 by

We teach students to be critical—to look beyond the obvious. Question assumptions. Just like Sherlock Holmes, whose exploits are finding new audiences in 2013, we should look beyond the surface.

Posted in cinema, medicine, neuroscience, science, science communication | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Transforming Authenticity

Posted on November 23, 2012 by

What is authenticity? One of my Osage relatives said that when he was being instructed in dance he asked his elder over and over again if he was doing it correctly. “Is this right?” Finally the elder looked my relative … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, cinema, Geronimo, Indian, individualism, journalism, native american, Native Science, Osage | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Exterminating Indian Identity

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

Soon I will be bound for Phoenix to present a paper on American Indian identity and authenticity: a topic of keen interest. Critics often complain about Indian stereotypes, ranging from the issues surrounding sports mascots to non-Indians playing Native roles … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, community, ethics, Family, film, human origin, individualism, Kennewick Man, Native Science, repatriation, science, writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

John Sayles Sighting

Posted on May 13, 2012 by

My trip to New York included a John Sayles sighting. And it’s not the first one. Sayles, who is among cinema’s most thoughtful filmmakers, came to Portland last year to talk about his book, A Moment in the Sun, set … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, journalism, writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

New Book on American Indians & Popular Culture

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

Our new book on American Indians and popular culture arrives in February, right on the heels of ruminations about how politics and science are fused. Because my work examines how Native American cultural values are treated in mediated discourse within … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, authenticity, cinema, film, framing, journalism, Native Science, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Deciphering the Real Indian

Posted on November 2, 2011 by

American Indians face a double whammy when it comes to authenticity: how do you know what is real? As a die-hard empiricist, I never thought I would turn to critical theorists to illuminate American Indian authenticity. But here I am.

Posted in authenticity, Bull Bear, cinema, Francis Parkman | Tagged | 2 Comments

Ethics in Indian Country

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

The Newberry Library’s D’Arcy McNickle Center in Chicago sponsored a talk this week on indigenous views of ethics, and I was delighted to attend with first daughter Wak-o-apa (Megan). The four presenters discussed perspectives about art, appropriation and sharing from … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, community, ethics, Family, film, framing, Indian, Lakota, repatriation | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Contagion

Posted on September 26, 2011 by

I’ve delayed reading the reviews for the new film Contagion until I sort though my feelings. When I worked at the CDC my colleagues didn’t suit up in the Day-Glo orange hazard gear but they did venture to outbreaks to … Continue reading →

Posted in cinema, community, ethics, film, framing, health, journalism, medicine, risk, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Roll on Columbia

Posted on July 26, 2011 by

The Columbia River has long been sacrosanct for Pacific Northwest Indians, who consider it an integral feature of their lives and spirit. Researching the mediated discourse and public opinion about tribal issues arising from the river has opened my eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, cinema, film, framing, Indian, salmon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment