My lack of Native American ancestry

I know this is a long shot, but I wanted to check genealogy websites to see if there were any Native Americans with the last name Blair. I thought this would be really cool to find out if i had any ancestors that were Native American. It took me awhile to locate a free website but it's possible, so I typed in Blair and recieved six different results. Unfortunately, I have never heard either one of my parents or grandparents ever hint at there being a Native American ancestry. So, I tried my mother's maiden name next. That was not even an option, absolutely zero results. i don't know what my paternal grandparents maiden name was but i had my maternal grandmother's name, which was Johnson. I knot it's a common name but I got tons of results, so much in fact, that I didn't even have a chance to look through them all because it was so lengthy. It would be really cool to find out if I had Native American ancestry, although I know the bloodline by now would be way into the 20's or 30's at least. And maybe I'm just going about this the wrong way, but finding out my ancestry in general would be very fascinating.

Check her out.

In my never ending search for new artists on the internet (i get bored with mainstream sometimes), I don't know how or why I came across this artist Jana Mashonee. I started listening to her music and her voice is utterly and completely captivating. I began stalking her on the internet trying to find out more about her and her inspiration for her lyrics. In her newest album New Moon Born, Jana provided all the vocals, played the piano, wrote and co-produced her album. This girl is very talented and I'm not talking about Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers. She has the soul of Mary J Blige with the range of Christina Aguilera. She is very passionate when she is belting out every note. She is a part of the Lumbee tribe and is working on more albums to come. I'm very excited about listening to her new songs and continuing to follow her career in music.

[ps]--I just read that she is making an extremely unique album containing ten traditional Christmas songs, all sung in a different Native tongue. Where does her talent end?

http://www.myspace.com/janamashonee

False Advertising

I was searching around the internet looking up the new jewelry fashion trends and I decided to look at Native American jewelry styles. I found a lot of results with all different kinds of descriptions, colors, and discounts. But I found myself laughing when I was looking over some of the sites. Most of the sites, the jewelry was made completely of metal and different colored stones that had been "processed colors". This is most defiantly not jewelry made by Native Americans. Besides that, these were chain stores that had no authenticity or Native American tribe attached to their website. It was really ridiculous that this type of false advertising was displayed on the internet to give the buyers false believing that they are buying authentic pieces. I think from what knowledge and little insight into this culture had been seen by me, these websites are complete phonies and shouldn't be able to advertise such lies.

Native American 10 Commandments

Ok, so i am really excited that i found this video. I found it through my website that i recommended and have only good things to say. It was created by a Native American and completely encompasses everything I have learned this semester in this course. The commandments are simple and truthful. Honestly it's everything you've heard before but it's put straight forward. The video also has pictures to enhance it's overall effect and feeling. The music that accompanies the video plays an important role as it is, I believe, sung in the Native language. If you're bored or want to get a short insight into what the Native American life is all about, take 4 minutes out of your day to watch.
http://www.native-american-online.org/video.html

"The Birchbark Series" Rundown

So for my final project, I have elected to read three books by Louise Erdrich. They are all centered around the Ojibwe Tribe and more precisely Omakayas and her family. Upon reading the first book,The Birchbark House, it is definintely more for the reader to recieve a general background about Omakayas and her life she has. She fun, spunky, and strong-willed but like all good stories there are also events that take place that can be life-alternating. The Game of Silence is the second book by Erdrich. I'm almost done reading it, but I feel like the book is just kind of dragging along, which really surprises me. From different reviews I have read, it seemed like out of all three it was the one that critcs and readers enjoyed the most. The third book, The Porcupine Year, is by far my favorite so far. I felt like the book was captivating and kept me interested the entire time. I really want Erdrich to continue with the last book b/c it begins Omakayas' journey into womanhood, especially since she is starting to fall for a young man.

Some things about Thomas King

The last book I have to read for Native American Literatures and Culture is The Truth About Stories by Thomas King. Right away, I was hooked. I feel like he has written his book in a different form than what I've ever read before. Therefore, I thought, b/c I liked the different way of writing, I should find out more about him. So I wikipedia-d him. A few fun facts about Thomas King, he is a novelist and politician, he is a dual citizen of America and Canada, and his birthday is this Friday April 24th . He is a very active First Nations Activist and he has been writing books since 1987. But not only is he Cherokee but he's mixed with Greek descendency. If you would like to see a picture, I am attaching the wikipedia website here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_King

Blog Read-Around2

Ryan G
I completely agree with you. I loved Driskill's collection but then read Harjo's and felt like it fell a little short. It didn't measure up to what I had expected. Perhaps, I had to high of expectations, but the overall feeling of complete boredness. In regards to the singing, Driskill has a much more captivating and intriguing poetry reading voice. When Harjo started singing her poetry, I got really turned off from it. I loved looking at the imagery and the background voice, but not hers.
Jennifer
When I was reading "Map of the Americas" the visual writing of the words forming continents created a vivid detailed experience. Upon turning the page, I actually had stopped reading to first look at the shape the poem had created. The poem is powerful on its own, but the added detial gives me a different experience reading it. Plus, I like it when poets step out of the box by doing artsy designs with their words.
James
I was really disturbed when I was reading that section. I also was aware of the nuclear testing on people, but the physical descriptions were so vivid. I couldn't imagine trying to live through that experience every day. Even though our Constitution is the governing body of the land, most people aren't educated enough (in law) to comprehend or understand that they could try to fix the problems they are constantly complaining about. Until humanity realizes the sounds existing their mouths are complaints and a change occurs, the government isn't going to change.

Driskill vs Harjo

Driskill and Harjo use similar themes in their books/collections of poetry. However, I feel that Driskill has made more of an influence on me. When I read his poetry, I really took my time trying to undercover every little theme/topic/hidden subtleties. Every poem was unique and had all kinds of different references to land, sovereignty, death, sex, environment, play on words, imagery, etc. Don’t get it twisted, Harjo is a good poet also, but I didn’t have the same moving experience. Harjo has a huge collection of poems that range over a variety of Native themes. Each section even has a subtitle to kind of hint about what theme she will be using in each set. She did write about a few different topics like songs, dances, and writes some poetry in the form of stories or tales. Although, this is unique style of writing for me, overall, after reading Driskill’s poetry, I was disappointed.

Walking With Ghosts

I loved loved loved the book of poems, Walking With Ghosts, by Qwo-Li Driskill. I felt like the writing was done without a censor. There were some controversial poems, poems that made me cringe, poems that made me sad. It was one of the most interesting book of poems I have ever been forced to read. There were dedications to friends that the author knows which were extremely moving especially the one to Marsha P. (Pay It No Mind) Johnson. Another poem I really liked was Song of Removal. I felt the differences in dualisms being presented and I love the idea of dualisms, especially if they are being presented in a radical way such as what I would like to call a slam poem. In that regard I think, most of Driskill’s poems could be considered slam poetry. The poems represent struggle, ancestry, queer, and contemporary issues. I highly recommend taking a half hour out of your day and reading this book short book of poems. It will open your mind.

A form of biological warfare.

I’ve never thought much about feminism. I was kind of ignorant and believed that most women, of all races, just bound together to “fight the man”. After recent readings, that naïve idea of mine has been completely reversed. In particular, indigenous feminism is based around many ideas that I believe are more affective towards indigenous females. For example, there was a piece written by Winona LaDuke. It was extremely moving and based around the effects of colonization; it was not pleasant. At one point in time, colonization affected the Mohawk women b/c they are the ones to reproduce and keep the Native American culture thriving. But they weren’t able to do that b/c of the amount of toxins they were feeding their babies through breast milk. Where did these toxins come from? The food and air the Mohawk Indians were surrounded by. Which is perfect for the idea of colonization because they want to completely wipe out the population. In a way, this reminds of a biological warfare. Which is just as harmful as a nuclear war, but in a more deceitful manner.

Sweat Lodges

A sweat lodge, which is also called by many other names, is a ceremonial sauna used by many Native American tribes. Depending on the tribe, the lodges come in many different shapes and sizes. Stones are heated and usually put into the middle of the structure to create a sauna. Although, it’s not known completely what happens in a sweat lodge, it is believed to be used for prayers, ceremonies, and offerings to spirits. I found some really cool videos on youtube that show different structures and unique differences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAtqf_VJcHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvHmBGVC3LQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXU7eoh6-U8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zpOMDAHrGg&feature=related

This last one has different sweat lodges used around the world. I like this video because it shows the variety between cultures everywhere.

The Porcupine House [Review] by Louise Erdrich

The Porcupine Year is a historical fiction text and the third novel Louise Erdrich has produced through The Birchbark House Series. Readers, who have never read the first two books or aren’t familiar with the series, do not have to worry about getting caught up. However, if readers have read the first two books, Erdich picks up right where she left off, without a single hitch in her story. Omakayas and her family have led an adventurous life which is constantly being uprooted and disheveled by the white settlers. The Porcupine Year does not disappoint and keeps the series alive, giving Omakayas an ending worthy of any woman.

Right from the beginning, Omakayas and Pinch travel into danger. Thankfully, the Gods have spared their lives, and Pinch receives a medicine animal, a porcupine. From the first chapter on, Pinch is now named Quill because of his medicine animal. Omakayas and Quill reunite with their family and together they begin traveling north towards Aunt Muskrat’s camp because of the white expansion slowly suffocating in around them. Deydey (Omakayas’ father) knew the journey was going to be rough, but the events hindering their progress are numerous. The family encounters another tribe, a short adoption of two orphaned children, a fiery escape, and traitor whose wild actions result in the death of a truly beloved character. Throughout all the circumstances thrown at Omakayas’ family, they remain strong and motivated. Rather than continue writing Omakayas’ life in seasons, The Porcupine House, concentrates on winter. Within all the chapters, Erdrich uses subtitles to grab attention to important events. Erdrich has an Author’s note at the end, which supplies information on the Ojibwe language and it’s dialects. A glossary also offers pronunciations and definitions of Ojibwe terms. The book also illustrates the book with black and white pictures throughout.

The Sacred Hoop Review/Summary/Critique

The Sacred Hoop, by Paula Gunn Allen, is a very intense and insightful read. Thinking back on my reading, a couple of key words come to mind: feminist, feminine spirituality, folklore/mythology, religious spirituality, historical, and of course Native Americans (mostly Laguna Pueblo, which is part of the tribe Paula Gunn Allen asserts herself with). In writing her novel, she explores topics and historical information that is not widely known and develops ideas that most people may only conceive but never fully communicate in such a form as mass media.
Paula Gunn Allen uses her Laguna Pueblo heritage, information her mother has taught her and the information she has learned through her schooling to create a gynocentric, contemporary novel full of issues. She also uses other contemporary authors and poets to add more substance. She uses authors like, Silko, Momaday, Wendy Rose, Welch, and Morning Dove. By using some of these authors/poets works in her own, it gives her more credibility and solid resources to back up her opinion and findings.

What I really liked about the book, was the fact that Allen used a multitude of resources and a variety of topics to keep every chapter interesting. She is easier to read than other writers and makes sure explains all her ideas/concepts so no topic may become over someone’s head. She gives plenty of examples and many details on every chapter.

My only critique, I feel the book may be a little to feminist for me. I’m all for women’s rights and equality among the sexes, but I’m not about to go out and join a rally or riot in front of the White House. Also, I know I’m not tribal and therefore I cannot fully understand where she is coming from exactly but sometimes I feel like there is an underlying attack to the white race for reducing the Native American culture into a very ethnocentric world. I believe that whole issue is way more complex and is given only the perception of Allen, who is Laguna Pueblo.

Feminism, but in a good way.

Usually I’m not into that whole feminism scene. By that I mean, I support basic women’s rights like believing that every women should receive equal pay to men, but I don’t go overboard by trying to take the word man out of words. When reading Sacred Hoop, I was very astonished to see that women were once the majority leaders in the tribes. They held high positions and were allowed to cast votes. This all happened until Columbus settled in and his followers of Christianity broke the tradition. Now that I reflect on the discussion from Monday and readings from the book, women are always seen as the givers of life and always given the duties to take care of what they produce. I never knew their culture transformed into what society is today. Although there are some unconventional families and people in society, I just thought it was really cool when women were allowed to hold higher positions of authority than men.

Three Sisters (aren't really sisters)

The Three Sisters are actually three vegetables: corn, beans, and squash. Although this is very common amongst all Native American cultures, it’s said to have been started in the the Haudenosaunee (hah-dee-no-show-nee), or "People of the Long house". There is a lot of history and folklore surrounding this cultural idea. What’s really cool is the Native Americans don’t use plowing, but rely on the mother nature to care for the growth and development of the crops. Because all three seeds are planted together, this makes the soil even more fertile and many insects resist ruining the crop. This is why the plant is so successful in growing strong as well as the belief that each sister cares for their seed.
“-sisters who would never be apart from one another- sisters who should be planted together, eaten together and celebrated together.” -Gary Gangnier

“In late spring, we plant the corn and beans and squash. They're not just plants- we call them the three sisters. We plant them together, three kinds of seeds in one hole. They want to be together with each other, just as we Indians want to be together with each other. So long as the three sisters are with us we know we will never starve. The Creator sends them to us each year. We celebrate them now. We thank Him for the gift He gives us today and every day.”
- Chief Louis Farmer (Onondaga)


Sources:

http://ddl.nmsu.edu/kids/webquests/wqthreesisters_k.html

http://www.cqsb.qc.ca/svs/434/fn3sis.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=4TNTbLYvufgC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=Onondaga+three+sisters++folklore&source=bl&ots=GM1r3-eNP6&sig=dVT1JPBPYHQOyXoS50IRRDXPFSk&hl=en&ei=8gmvSaCKD8yJngf28OW2Bg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA70,M1

Down By the River

Native peoples, and their stories and histories are not a social studies unit of an interesting sub-category. [. .] We are American history. [. . .] Every track and trace of the American experience runs through our communities, our culture. We have been the transformers so much more than we are ever credited to have been. I am so tired of our image as the transformed-the lost, the dead, always those who are acted upon, always those who have been pushed to the edges, where we can be watched compassionately, nostalgically, seen as little more than a decorative fringe. (Susan Power, qtd. in Howe 45)


Honestly, I never saw the Native Americans as a mere social studies unit, but when I think back to high school, that’s what they were. We didn’t learn about the cultures or any specific tribe. I learned more about events that Native Americans were involved in or the always popular, constant relocation to new reservations. I guess that is a really shallow thing to view a culture as, but I didn’t know any better, or wasn’t taught any better. And I can see where Native Americans are tired of always being perceived as the victims, when they were always being forced by the American government. For a time period all the Native Americans were pushed and personally I’m surprised more hadn’t revolted because of it. Native Americans aren’t fringe, something you use to decorate your house with. This is a living, breathing culture, that is trying to preserve their heritage and identity. Malea Powell uses numerous quotes in her work, Down by the River, but I liked this one the best. It’s straight to the point, and doesn’t ask for sympathy. History has evolved because of the Native Americans and there should be more recognition of that.

Blog-read-around

While I was reading other blogs, I noticed a wide variety of topics. Some of my classmates have written on the same topics as me, but others have expanded and included outside sources to comment and blog their own thoughts on. By doing this read around exercise, I’ve learned a little bit more about other people’s interests and more about Native Americans in general.


Comments on other people’s blogs.
Cassy
i have to admit, i'm surprised that a TESOL book should have references to the Native American culture. I think it's b/c i just assumed Native Americans could already speak English, and wouldn't have to be taught how to speak it. Although on the other hand, you had mentioned that your class had talked about American Indian Studies being a newly developed field. I find that also interesting b/c I would think that field would already have been researched. The argument could really go either way.
Beth
I absolutely loved the little house on the prairie books. So, when i read Debbie Reese's blogs, i was kind of taken aback by her directness. Each character has their own personality and that creates the epic story. B/c it is also autobiographical, there are certain elements that cannot be removed from the novel b/c it was a true event. Although, i'm sure these books did lead readers into misconceptions, the overall feeling is still present during the interactions.
Rob
I completely agree with your argument on gender roles. I would think the Deydey would have been more than willing to help out his wife when he got back from trading b/c there was sooooo much work to be done. The mother was not only overseeing all the preperation for winter, but she was also taking care of all the children,the most annoying being Pinch. Even at the end of the movie, i didn't see Pinch redeeming himself. I think he will grow up to be one of the laziest male indians that tribe will ever see.

It's the funny things in life.

When we were first assigned to read about Indian humor, I was a little skeptical. I initially thought that most of the humor would be more racist or based on stereotypical Indian characteristics: alcohol, poverty, casino’s. Turns out the humor is completely opposite of what I believed. In some instances, the humor is so subtle so that unless you have a good sense of humor, it’s more than likely the actual joke won’t be caught.
So naturally I searched the internet to find some great Indian humor jokes. And one of my favorite jokes is:
Anglos have BC and AD to measure time. Native People only have the four BC's.
Before Colombus
Before Custer
Before Commodity
Before Costner
It’s simple jokes like this that really make me laugh, because now that I have a little bit more background information on some of the situations, the jokes are even funnier than they would be normally. Of course there are tons more jokes on the internet but this is one of the better ones I found.

Reese and Wilder's perceptions.

When I was reading Debbie Reese’s blogs on American Indians in Children’s Literature, I found one particular comment interesting. When I was younger, my grandma gave me the whole series of Little House on the Prairie. I went through those books really fast because I just loved the characters and the family ups and downs that went along with the adventure out west. When I read the books and saw the few images, I never once stereotyped the Native Americans. I guess I was so young at the time, that I never fully understood the stereotype behind the images and wording. Although, Reese makes excellent points about the images and has extensive knowledge on this background area, I feel as if she is judging too harshly. Laura Ingalls Wilder was writing her story from a first-hand experience and although she may exaggerate in some aspects, that was her experience at the time and what she remembers most vividly. So I think Wilder’s books should be taken in stride and taken from the perspective of Wilder and her age at the time.

The Ojibwa Tribe--A bit of info [i liked]

Before reading The Birchbark House, by Louise Erdrich, I had not heard of the tribe, Ojibwa. Therefore, I have taken it upon my self to locate some more information about the tribe and maybe see how accurate certain parts of the book are compared to the actual history.
First fact that I find interesting is the Ojibwa tribe is one of the largest tribes, first nation, north of Mexico. Also, Erdrich stayed true to the theme of using birch bark. The Ojibwa used birch bark for their canoes and to make scrolls and of course it was used for their pointed houses. It does say that a popular living space was known as a wigwam and that large groups of Ojibwa lived with each other, otherwise known as a band.
There are all kinds of different bands, each with a distinct name. I wish Erdrich would have given Omakayas’ band a name because then it would be easier to place their location in an actual state. All of the bands are located next to the great lakes, right on the border of Canada.
Louise Erdrich is Anishinabe and has written more books including: Tracks, Love Medicine, and The Bingo Palace. The Birchbark House was a good book, maybe these will be just as good.