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 hasContinue reading “On Language and Speechlessness”
Category Archives: First Nations
Sacred Spaces
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 sweetContinue reading “Sacred Spaces”
The Whulge
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° FahrenheitContinue reading “The Whulge”
In Memoriam
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 ofContinue reading “In Memoriam”
Thoughts on Immigration
I see in my email inbox an angry anti-immigration message entitled “Whose country is it, anyway?” The implication is that US citizens, especially European-Americans, were “here first,” so newcomers are not welcome. My heart sinks. In my opinion, a government’s responsibility to manage immigration wisely should never overshadow our shared human responsibility to treat allContinue reading “Thoughts on Immigration”
