"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

Monday, July 21, 2008

Elementary students participate in Dine summer language camp

By: G. Jeff Golden

BLOOMFIELD — Elementary school children in Bloomfield are breaking away from their TVs this summer to learn about the history and culture of the Navajo people — in a class conducted entirely in the Navajo language.

The Diné Language Immersion Program, for students in kindergarten through sixth grade, runs from July 7-30 at Central Primary School in Bloomfield. The course lasts all morning, from 8:30 until noon, Monday through Thursday.

"I was just watching TV all day," said 10-year-old Zachary Augustine, referring to his summer before the class and why he decided to attend.

The classroom is decorated with posters and pictures that create the atmosphere of Navajo language, culture and history.

"We're trying to relearn and revitalize the language," said Janice Montoya, the lead teacher for the program.

The air is buzzing as five teachers instruct, entirely in the Navajo language, 43 enrolled children at five different stations. It's one of the first times some students have heard the language, while others are subjected to it every day.

"It depends on their exposure in the home," Montoya said.

The program is divided thematically, focusing on a different aspect of Navajo life each week. The students learned about clan identification last week and will learn about animals and history in the future. This week, though, the summer language camp was all about food.

Get the whole story here: http://www.daily-times.com/news/ci_9917487?source=email
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