"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, March 28, 2008

Lummi youngsters thank veterans

By: John Stark

LUMMI NATION — Tribal youngsters gathered Wednesday at the tribal veterans’ hall on the Stommish Grounds to thank the veterans for agreeing to share their building with a new after-school cultural education program.

Kids and veterans in Veterans of Foreign Wars caps sat together for a traditional salmon dinner, and the young people presented the veterans with pillows and necklaces they made under the direction of certified teacher Doralee Sanchez. She is the director of the Cultural Learning Center that will operate in the veterans’ hall every school day from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sanchez said the youngsters who participate in the program will learn traditional handcrafts such as drummaking and the weaving of baskets and cedar hats, among other things.

“My job description is prevention,” Sanchez said. “I’m here to give people healthy alternatives.”
Cheryl Sanders, Lummi Indian Business Council member and the tribe’s youth wellness coordinator, said she was excited to see the new program up and running.

“It’s a great opportunity for our children to learn about our culture, from making baskets to listening to stories,” Sanders said.

At the closing of the gathering, veterans and the rest of the group “retired the colors.” They honored the U.S. flag with drumming, a tribal farewell song and “God Bless America” before the color guard left the building.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Richard Hillaire said the decision to share the veterans’ building with the young people was an easy one to make.

“We like to see this culture continue on through the younger generation,” Hillaire said.
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