Thursday, April 26, 2007

Sand Creek, White Otter and water-assault

The site of the Sand Creek Massacre is to be dedicated as a National Historic Site, April 28, by the National Parks Service, US Dept of the Interior.

The Wikipedia article on the Sand Creek Massacre (as of April 26/07) tends to absolve the US government of responsibility, laying blame at the feet of one, Colonel Chivington.
"As to Colonel Chivington, your committee can hardly find fitting terms to describe his conduct. Wearing the uniform of the United States, which should be the emblem of justice and humanity; holding the important position of commander of a military district, and therefore having the honor of the government to that extent in his keeping, he deliberately planned and executed a foul and dastardly massacre which would have disgraced the verist [sic] savage among those who were the victims of his cruelty. Having full knowledge of their friendly character, having himself been instrumental to some extent in placing them in their position of fancied security, he took advantage of their in-apprehension and defenceless [sic] condition to gratify the worst passions that ever cursed the heart of man.

"Whatever influence this may have had upon Colonel Chivington, the truth is that he surprised and murdered, in cold blood, the unsuspecting men, women, and children on Sand creek, who had every reason to believe they were under the protection of the United States authorities, and then returned to Denver and boasted of the brave deed he and the men under his command had performed."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few random pics; a little something for new readers.
Yeah, I know... lame.
Click to enlarge:

No bludgeon deer with platypus.
Broken Vulture Art

Smirking duck.
Broken Vulture Art

Polar melting = more Inuit bear snacks.
Broken Vulture Art

The usual suspects.
Broken Vulture Art

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random resources and stuff:

An online gemology course.
"If you're interested in learning about gemology from a scientific rather than from a commercial or artistic viewpoint, then you are in the right place (not that either art or commerce are unimportant or will be ignored, they just won't be our main focus.)"


Have you ever heard about Hikaru Dorodango? Me neither, but they are exquisitely simple and beautiful objects made just from dirt and water. I am going to try and make some, shortly.

Pic clicks for another gallery.


A poetry professor in Pennsylvania believes that he was suspected of planting an expl0sive dev1ce(recycling paper, by a dumpster), by an ROTC student, because of his dark skin.
"Because of my recycling, the bomb squad came, then the state police. Because of my recycling, buildings were evacuated, classes were canceled, the campus was closed. No. Not because of my recycling. Because of my dark body. No. Not even that. Because of his fear. Because of the way he saw me. Because of the culture of fear, mistrust, hatred and suspicion that is carefully cultivated in the media, by the government, by people who claim to want to keep us "safe."


April 26-28, 2007. Cowichan Aboriginal Film Festival, Cowichan, BC.

"In galleries here and abroad, Indian art is being celebrated, says Gerald McMaster".

National Aboriginal Internship Programlistings for CTV, Canadian broadcaster. Deadlines are May 4; positions available across Canada.

Native Author, Louise Erdrich, has refused an honourary
"degree from the University of North Dakota because it continues to use the "Fighting Sioux" team name and logo -- a contentious and litigious issue in Grand Forks."


Reach The Rez, radio podcast.
"A weekly one hour high energy, hip hop and R&B "mix show"/"talk show" program. The broadcast will update listeners on Reach the Rez Tour progress and events, as well as feature on-air interviews produced at different locations throughout the tour. The Reach the Rez Tour is headlined by well-known actor and rapper Litefoot (Cherokee) who will hold speaking engagements and concerts on reservations across Indian Country in the hopes of bringing a positive message of hope and empowerment to Native communities, especially the youth. Litefoot will also host the Reach The Rez radio program."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's an article about a possible TV series to be filmed at White Otter Castle (NorthEast of Rainy Lake and accessible from the Quetico region).

White Otter Castle is a very large loghouse structure that was built by one man, Jimmy McOuat (or "McQuat"), supposedly for a bride that never arrived. He was found floating in the lake a few years after completing the project and is interred on the property.

The "castle" was featured in an episode ofCreepy Canada.
When I visited the castle, I never felt anything more sinister than isolation.

The lake has many cliffs that host a variety of pictographs ("rock art"), that may be decades, centuries and millenia old.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You may have heard about this story, already. Micheal Daisey, a monologist, performing in Boston was interrupted during a performance by a group of 87 people walking out, en masse. One of the people came on stage and poured Micheal's water all over his notes, which were a handwritten, original outline of his monologue; which, subsequently, is different, for every performance. Certainly, this performance turned out to be unique.

Apparently, the group was offended by strong language and believed that they had been assured of a "clean" show, beforehand. The box office reps claim that the group's rep was told the show contained "adult language and situations".

Anyways, here is the performer's initial posting about the incident, and his follow-up posting about his conversation with the apologetic "water-pourer".


Warning: some *Strong Language*.



Any questions or complaints? Leave me a comment. There are no dumb questions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





No comments: