Waterbird's Nest: Triple Splendor

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 6, 2008

Triple Splendor

by: Pamela Waterbird Davison

Our world is cruel in its beauty, so heartbreaking and breathtaking. Everywhere we look we can see the balance of wildness and calm. From hurricane winds to waves of flames, from peaceful streams brimming with fish to seashores dancing with dolphins, our Mother can be as exquisite as she is vicious.

I see the same in we humans. We can look at each other with such force of judgment there’s no room for forgiveness. Yet we can be stunningly compassionate and understanding. But, sometimes, we fall out of balance with the sacred lessons Mother teaches us. She shows us that even after her rage is spent something really astonishing happens. Beauty returns ten-fold.

Once in a while it feels like all we know is the unbelievable current we struggle against, and we just can’t seem to do anything right, and everyone is brutal in their opinion that it doesn’t feel like we’ll ever find ourselves back to where we’re supposed to be. Staying in center is a distant memory. But I know beauty is on the way. It comes in the way of forgiveness.

If someone steals my shoes their feet must be so very cold. If someone tries to steal my dignity they must need it much more than I. My compassion for both thieves is equal. And if I am to seek peace and beauty then I must be forgiving of others, but also to myself then release the fear of loving back into a place of learning.

It’s okay to be angry with the ones we love. It’s okay to vent our winds of fury against the injustices we perceive. Yet we’ve got to remember something very important. We’re all here together. We’re all doing the best we can with what we have to work with. We can be hurt and disappointed when others fail to meet our expectations, but we must know we do the same. We crash, burn, and destruct just like everyone else.

Forgiveness will allow those wounds to heal, both in those who’ve committed their anger our way (justified or not) as well as to ourselves, because none of us are perfect.

So I look to Mother and realize I can become exquisite if I let people think and feel what they must, then forgive them and myself, for the mistakes. When we go to the other side we don’t take all that with us. But I don’t want to leave it behind either. I want to know I’ve done the best I can while I was here, even with all my human frailties.

After all, we each come from Spirit and if we’re worthy of being here together it must be because we are each sacred. And if each person is Creator manifested would I not forgive my Creator? I did the math and concluded that if our Mother can be sick and angry yet still find a way back to triple splendor, then surely I can have the same capacity. It’s heartbreaking and breathtaking all at the same time.