Category Archives: Francis Parkman

Believing in the Past: Part 2

Posted on November 26, 2012 by

My last blog shared Francis Parkman’s loving memories of my forebear Henri Chatillon, who served as Parkman’s guide on The Oregon Trail. Chatillon embodied many fine qualities I hope one day to inherit. His wife, my great-great-great grandmother Bear Robe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Native Science, framing, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, authenticity, Thanksgiving, Family, science communication, Oglala, american indian, native american | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sequester the Evidence

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Native Science, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Osage, authenticity, Family, Oglala | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Medicine Month

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

When I lived in Georgia a fellow academic cautioned me about planning anything on Wednesday evening. Some folks go to church, he said. And when I lived in Teheran, we went to the American School Monday through Thursday, and on … Continue reading →

Posted in Indian, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, authenticity, medicine, community | 1 Comment

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

When Names Aren’t What They Seem

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

I discovered that family names can be invented, forgotten and even lost in the branches of the family tree.

Posted in Indian, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, authenticity, Family, Oglala | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bear People

Posted on August 31, 2011 by

A recent radio story talked about how a man approached a wild bear because he wanted take a photo with him and the bear.

Posted in authenticity, Bull Bear, community, framing, Francis Parkman, journalism, Oglala, Osage | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Family Nuggets

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

My great uncle, Fred Grove, supplied my mother with nuggets about our Indian ancestors whenever she asked. Because my family lived overseas until my step-father’s retirement, Mama didn’t return to her Osage roots until moving back to the US in … Continue reading →

Posted in Native Science, Lakota, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Osage, authenticity, journalism, community, Oglala | Tagged , | 2 Comments

How Do Historians Do It?

Posted on August 17, 2011 by

I don’t know how historians do it: how do they cleave fiction from fact? As I dig through the stories of Francis Parkman’s French scout, the fierce Oglala chief Bull Bear and the Lesserts, Revards and Herridges of Osage tales, … Continue reading →

Posted in Native Science, Indian, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Osage, science, authenticity, Family, science communication, Oglala | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Osage and Oglala Forebears

Posted on August 16, 2011 by

My guide in St. Louis was Mary (Mimi) Stiritz, a generous soul who took time to tell me what she had learned about my family in her historical searches. Mimi introduced me to the Chatillon-DeMenil mansion’s staff and board members … Continue reading →

Posted in Native Science, Indian, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Osage, science, authenticity, Family, risk, science communication | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Brave Scout, Brave Wife

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

Our tour guide Kevin O’Neill told captivating stories about my great-great-great-great grandfather Henri Chatillon when I visited the Chatillon-DeMenil Mansion in St. Louis. My ancestor met Francis Parkman because the writer wanted to hire Henri as a scout for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Indian, Lakota, Bull Bear, Francis Parkman, Henri Chatillion, Osage, authenticity, Family | Tagged | Leave a comment