Category Archives: Family

Remembering Maria Tallchief

When someone mentioned ballet my mother would chime in that a famous ballerina came from her American Indian community. Maria Tallchief. We learned this week that Tallchief passed on. She and her sister Marjorie came from a prominent Osage family, … Continue reading

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Revenge of the Machine

When I read about machines that can learn, my mind flew from science to science fiction. Can machines really learn? I always thought that’s what they meant by intelligent design–that machines were programmed to respond intelligently to new stimuli.

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Defining Race

The conversation turned to race. My talk Wednesday at the Newberry focussed on Native and scientific perspectives, particularly over Kennewick Man–the 9300-year-old skeleton discovered in the Columbia River. During the question and answer session one guest asked if Kennewick Man … Continue reading

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Fake Indians in France

We spent the weekend curled up by the fire, sipping coffee and searching for French hotels and phrase-books in preparation for our trip to Paris. When my honey reaches for a cup or the soap, he asks me to translate … Continue reading

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Onward

Although today marks the end of American Indian Heritage Month there’s no end to the issues confronting indigenous peoples and I will continue to share my thoughts about topics—some critical, some lighthearted—from an Indian lens. My argument during American Indian … Continue reading

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Indian Humor

Sure, Indians have a sense of humor. Just ask Ryan Red Corn. Red Corn, a fellow Osage with Renaissance qualities—graphic artist, filmmaker and improv actor—has created videos that highlight Indian humor and is a member of the 1492s, an Indian … Continue reading

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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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A News Spin on Native American Heritage

When I met Ira Glass in Portland this fall, he admitted he got his stories from the headlines. Glass said he pores over the New York Times—and other publications—in search of narratives. What makes This American Life different is that … Continue reading

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