"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

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Putting Anishinaabemowin first

By: Rob Cappricioso

WINDSOR, Ontario – An alliance of Anishinaabe tribal leaders and citizens from Canada has put forth a declaration asserting that Anishinaabemowin is their primary language.

The declaration, which was approved by the Walpole Island First Nation of the Bkejwanong Territory in August, says that immersion and fluency in the Anishinaabemowin language is a long-term goal for all of its citizens.

“We have put something really substantial in place,” said Chris Riley, an organizer of language initiatives with the tribe. “We have created awareness.”

The Walpole Island First Nation is Canada’s southernmost aboriginal territory and is made up of approximately 3,500 Ojibway, Potawatomi and Odawa members, collectively known as the Council of the Three Fires. The Walpole lands are composed of six islands covering 91 square miles between Ontario and Michigan at the mouth of the St. Clair River.

Walpole is already recognized as being one of the first Native communities in Canada to make strides in the field of environment and sustainable development. With the new declaration, Walpole is also playing a leadership role in revitalization indigenous languages.

Keep reading here: http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/28661749.html
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