"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, May 23, 2008

U looks to increase American Indian student enrollment

By: Michael McFall

The daughter of a medicine man and weaver, Lena Judee spent her days as a young Arizona Navajo girl in a community close to its traditional American Indian roots. She left her family to pursue a higher education, and after studying at two colleges and working 23 years at another university, Judee has joined the U as one of two new staff members to help American Indian students.

The U has appointed two new staff members in attempt to increase American Indian student enrollment and improve American Indians' chances for academic achievement. In the last five years, new Native American student enrollment peaked in 2006 with 14 students.

In order to improve those numbers, the U appointed Nola Lodge as the new director of American Indian teacher education in the College of Education and hired Judee as the coordinator for American Indian students in the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs.

Michael Hardman, dean of the College of Education, said that Lodge's leadership experience and commitment will benefit the preparation of American Indian students for careers in the field of education.

Lodge, a member of the Wisconsin Oneida tribe, will work directly with departments in the College of Education to reach out to Utah's American Indian community, as well as coordinate programs with the Office for Diversity and the American Indian Resource Center to draw and retain more American Indian students. She will also teach two courses on multicultural education each year.

"I am delighted to accept the position here in the College of Education and look forward to collaboration with the college departments and American Indian faculty and staff," Lodge said.

Judee will be critical in providing full academic support and guidance for the students, said David Pershing, the senior vice president for academic affairs. Judee said that her academic success proves that young American Indians can succeed.

"If I can make it this far, they can do it even better," she said.

Lodge and Judee will begin their work in July.

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