Category Archives: human origin

Science Ethics Redux

Posted on March 25, 2013 by

Henrietta Lacks is back in the news. Lacks’ story captured headlines after Rebecca Skloot’s 2010 book revealed the dying mother had her cells removed for science—without her permission. Doctors at Johns Hopkins hospital had tried unsuccessfully to keep alive human … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, health, human origin, journalism, medicine, science, science communication, social media, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Defining Race

Posted on March 8, 2013 by

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 →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, ethics, Family, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, native american, Native Science, news bias, repatriation, science, science communication, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nit-picking Scientific American

Posted on February 7, 2013 by

Excited to crack open my first issue of Scientific American. My colleagues in the science writing and science information fields have recommended the magazine to me. So, after receiving a bonus from the web-based superstore Amazon, I traded points for … Continue reading →

Posted in framing, health, human origin, individualism, journalism, medicine, Native Science, neuroscience, news bias, risk, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Scientific Innovation? Who Says?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by

While flipping though the latest Smithsonian magazine I paused at the following statement: “It is no exaggeration to say that America was founded on innovation.” Having spent November steeped in American Indian ways-of-knowing (I pledged to write each day about … Continue reading →

Posted in american indian, framing, human origin, native american, Native Science, science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

What Native Cause Will You Support?

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

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 →

Posted in american indian, authenticity, community, ethics, Family, human origin, Indian, journalism, native american, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Science or Religion?

Posted on November 19, 2012 by

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, framing, human origin, Indian, journalism, Kennewick Man, NAGPRA, Native Science, news bias, science, science communication, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Indian Giver?

Posted on November 2, 2012 by

Imagine returning Mount Hood—the majestic landmark volcano in Oregon—back to local tribes as a marker of good faith and in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Sound crazy? The suggestion isn’t all that bizarre according to Eirik Thorsgard, who spoke … Continue reading →

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Bizarre Month

Posted on November 1, 2012 by

A bizarre intersection occurs when October 31 greets November 1. 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in authenticity, ethics, Family, film, framing, human origin, Indian, individualism, journalism, Kennewick Man, Native Science, repatriation, Thanksgiving, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Science, TV and Authenticity

Posted on August 14, 2012 by

This past week scholars gathered in Chicago to share their research and insights into mass communication. I walk along a thin line between science and culture, hanging with folks who study science in one corner of the universe, and spending … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, authenticity, human origin, Native Science, science, science communication | Tagged , | 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