"We did not think of the great open plains, the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams with tangled growth as "wild". To us it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery."

Luther Standing Bear - Rosebud Sioux

Guardian of the Water Medicine

Guardian of the Water Medicine
Dale Auger

Dale Auger

Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason

Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.

Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”

Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.

Read the rest here:

http://www.daleauger.com/printversionbio.cfm

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Bringing Native American history to life

By: Sandra Diamond Fox

SHERMAN -- Ten-year-old Christian Pasquariello of New Fairfield had a great time dressing up in clothing made from deerskin.

Danielle Tiberi, 7, who traveled from her home in Staten Island, N.Y., felt like a Native American as she carried a container for nuts and berries while modeling bearskin coverings and moccasins.
Christian and Danielle were among 40 people who attended the "Woodland Native Lifeways and Native American Stories" program Monday at the Jewish Community Center.

The purpose of the program, which was given by members of the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Conn., is to make children aware of what life was like for those living in Connecticut before Europeans arrived about 500 years ago.

"We try to educate the children on how Native Americans got food if there were no grocery stores and what they wore before clothing stores were invented," said Ruth Barr of Southbury, the institute's education coordinator.

Everyone got to see, touch and learn about the kinds of clothing, tools and hunting equipment that were used during the 16th century. They examined the skull of a deer, looked at a stone and mortar used to crush corn to make corn bread, and felt clothing made from deer pelts.

They were taught that everything they used had to come from the land and the environment -- even toys and musical instruments.

There's more to the story here: http://www.newstimes.com/ci_8303167
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