"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

Friday, June 6, 2008

State American Indian leader advocates for recognition, education

By: Nicholas C. Stern

In a grade school history class, E. Keith Colston was told by his teacher that American Indians tortured their children.

Colston, a descendant of the Tuscarora and Lumbee tribes, said he tried to remain respectful while informing her that sweat lodge ceremonies, incorrectly interpreted in his textbook, are about spiritual cleansing, not torture.

Colston, now the executive director for the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, has been battling misperceptions and ignorance about his people ever since.

He spoke Tuesday at the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center at an annual Coalition Opposed to Violence and Extremism retreat. The coalition is an alliance of public and private civil rights, human relations, law enforcement, advocacy, religious and educational organizations in Maryland and the Washington area.

Colston said that attempts to eliminate American Indians physically, socially, mentally and spiritually from U.S. society have created deep mistrust, especially as the government claims to help them, Colston said.

"Historically, (Native Americans) have paid the ultimate price," he said.

But the radicalized American Indian movements of the '70s, though necessary at the time, are no longer viable. Instead, a middle road of peaceful activism will help his people, Colston said.

That is why he is encouraged by small yet sure steps like Gov. Martin O'Malley's recent designation of an American Indian Heritage Day.

Keep reading here: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=75878
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)