A wonderful thing has happened. A friend has pointed out that I made a mistake, and this brings me great joy. I know that I, with my European-American cultural background, make many mistakes in my attempts to learn about First Nations’ history. I also know that true learning means having friends and colleagues who are … More Since Time Began
Continuing on the theme of last month’s meeting at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, another comment offered that evening made a point about the land. A gentleman pointed out that anyone who wants to live in the Puget Sound region should show respect for the people who lived here first. “You guys are walking on … More Acknowledgment
Seattle is on edge following the police shooting death of John T. Williams. Mr. Williams, a talented carver from the Ditidaht First Nation of British Colombia, was well known on the streets of Pioneer Square. Investigations are underway, but many Seattleites question whether it was necessary to fire 4 shots at a 50-year-old man with … More When ‘Peace’ Hurts
Ten days ago, my mother and I visited the museum of the Squaxin Island Tribe at their small reservation just outside Olympia. The museum is an impressive facility, designed to spatially represent the seven native groups that lived around seven nearby saltwater inlets. There was a lot to learn, but one thought in particular has … More On Language and Speechlessness
The word ‘sacred’ has cropped up often this month. Or maybe this word has always been prominent, and I’ve been slow to notice it. I attended a powwow orientation class through the Episcopal Diocese, where I learned that the space inside of a talking circle is sacred. So are the sage, cedar, tobacco and sweet … More Sacred Spaces
I’m a Whulger now. Just a beginner, but a Whulger nonetheless. I have joined the Whulgers, a loose group of Vashon Island residents who swim in the Puget Sound, otherwise known as the Whulge. When the Whulgers gather, the big topic of conversation is the water temperature. It’s now hovering a little above 50° Fahrenheit … More The Whulge
This week the USA celebrated Memorial Day, the annual event in which we remember our fallen soldiers. I have very deep concerns about militarization, especially when it comes to US foreign policy. Yet I cannot overlook the fact that Native Americans have served in impressive numbers in the US armed forces. A high percentage of … More In Memoriam
