An article from Indian Country Today about the Green efforts of the Democratic convention, and some of the Native effort going into it. I was pleased to see that there are several Native organizations really focused on the environment.
There's been a lot of to do in mainstream (and not-so-mainstream) media lately about the "greening" - a whole lot of very negative press (one from the Washington Post today). Some of it's for the "color" guidelines they're using for the food, others for the big push towards reducing the carbon footprint of the convention itself.
Are people seriously mocking the efforts of those who are actually trying to encourage environmental responsibility, water conservation and good health?
The Post article in particular mocked the "color" guidelines for the caterers - that they choose a "rainbow" for each dish. Maybe it's news to them, but I worked in early childhood for several years, and this is exactly how they try and teach both parents and children how to balance meals. I think we can all see that blasting the public with percentages and ounces ("chemistry", the article says) hasn't exactly worked out for a healthier America. As a memory device, the color guidelines are much easier to remember.
I'm excited to go to this convention, and am happy to see that the DNCC is devoting so much effort to both health and the environment. This is exactly how people should approach big change - lead by example.
_
Friday, July 11, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Obama Anchorage campaign headquarters opening pics
Follow up from last evening's post about the opening of the Anchorage Barack Obama campaign headquarters. There's Kat Pustay addressing the crowd, sign-ups, and some of the dozens of "I support Barack Obama..." posters.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Obama Alaska campaign kick-off
At the opening of the Obama campaign headquarters this evening, there was plenty of humor and lots of (who'd of guessed?) Obama buzz.
I think there's something really funny going on in my district. At the caucus, when all five million or so of us showed up, we were the dead last district to be able to actually divvy up and vote. We watched several other districts "fan out", and when we finally went up there to vote, it was still chaos (albeit, very fun chaos!) One of the "regular Joes" in the district finally took charge and sorted us all out. Using some very fine charting sensibilities, we were finally organized and all accounted for. More than a few commented, "Man, I'm voting for that guy!"
Tonight, another take-charge organizational situation. Although I'm not sure it was neccessary this time, one of our group (no, not any official capacity) took charge once we were (again) the last group to be gathered together, and split us off into volunteering sections.
We seem to be both slow and control freaks. But really fun!
Other than that, it was nice to hear what the campaign has planned, and why they are focusing on Alaska. They are really making it a battleground state, and judging from those at the event, McCain is really going to have do some fighting if he wants to have a "red" Alaska.
One thing lacking? Native representation!
Where were my Indigenous peeps?! (I promise if you show up, I'll never say that again.)
There really was a noticeable lack of Native people at the event, and I sure hope to see more in the coming months. With over 40,000 right here in Anchorage, we can really be a force in this election. But we need to show up!
I was able to talk to Alaska campaign director Kat Pustay a little bit about the Native turnout. She talked about the rural outreach they're doing, and was pretty encouraging about just what they could do.
I also talked to Liz from OurTime 2008. They're a non-partisan organization really focused on getting people involved, getting registered voters. She was also pretty encouraging to talk to, and mentioned a big effort - as well as Native participants - on their part toward Native Alaska.
In both cases though, there was a cultural gap mentioned, one I hope we can reduce well before election time.
_
I think there's something really funny going on in my district. At the caucus, when all five million or so of us showed up, we were the dead last district to be able to actually divvy up and vote. We watched several other districts "fan out", and when we finally went up there to vote, it was still chaos (albeit, very fun chaos!) One of the "regular Joes" in the district finally took charge and sorted us all out. Using some very fine charting sensibilities, we were finally organized and all accounted for. More than a few commented, "Man, I'm voting for that guy!"
Tonight, another take-charge organizational situation. Although I'm not sure it was neccessary this time, one of our group (no, not any official capacity) took charge once we were (again) the last group to be gathered together, and split us off into volunteering sections.
We seem to be both slow and control freaks. But really fun!
Other than that, it was nice to hear what the campaign has planned, and why they are focusing on Alaska. They are really making it a battleground state, and judging from those at the event, McCain is really going to have do some fighting if he wants to have a "red" Alaska.
One thing lacking? Native representation!
Where were my Indigenous peeps?! (I promise if you show up, I'll never say that again.)
There really was a noticeable lack of Native people at the event, and I sure hope to see more in the coming months. With over 40,000 right here in Anchorage, we can really be a force in this election. But we need to show up!
I was able to talk to Alaska campaign director Kat Pustay a little bit about the Native turnout. She talked about the rural outreach they're doing, and was pretty encouraging about just what they could do.
I also talked to Liz from OurTime 2008. They're a non-partisan organization really focused on getting people involved, getting registered voters. She was also pretty encouraging to talk to, and mentioned a big effort - as well as Native participants - on their part toward Native Alaska.
In both cases though, there was a cultural gap mentioned, one I hope we can reduce well before election time.
_
Monday, July 7, 2008
Can I get a little objectivity?
The Anchorage Daily News is going to drive me insane.
On Sunday, the Juneau Empire chose to run this headline:
Sealaska seeks resolution of land claim
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/070608/sta_300571693.shtml?p
It’s a story about Sealaska trying to resolve the land claims from 37 years ago. I don’t think Sealaska has to be held up as doing everything right (Without actually knowing the whole story, it sounds like there are some questionable decisions going on.) But here’s the headline ADN decided to run:
Sealaska’s proposed land grab raises worries
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/457552.html
Not that the tone ADN consistently uses with Native corporations is anything new, but really. Same story, but ADN editors went with a much catchier headline, only a little more biased. And just to make sure I wasn’t steeping in paranoia, here are just a few definitions of “land grab”:
“The term ‘land grab’ is almost always used in a pejorative sense to describe a hostile or unfair real estate transaction.” (WiseGeek)
“...the seizing of land by a nation, state, or organization, esp. illegally, underhandedly, or unfairly.” (Random House Dictionary)
Not that you need a definition to see the difference.
I don’t think Native corporations have always treated the land Native people paid for as they should. But in no way does the upholding of a legal transaction that should have taken place in 1971, or shortly thereafter, make for a land grab.
This is another area in which it is easy to get mired, and I really hate mentioning things that seem so small. After all, why should the “slight” difference of wording be so upsetting? Why should a few different words on a headline make any difference?
I happen to have a healthy respect for the responsibility of the media, and the Anchorage Daily News knows very well what “slight” differences in wording make. People read headlines. Many people will only read headlines. Sensationalism in any form gets people to read the story more, gets more newspapers sold. But for those that only read the headline, Native corporations (once again) come out on the wrong end. The headline sets up the whole tone for any article.
If you really want to see the difference in reader reactions, read the ADN (
I would love to talk about the actual issue more. It is not something I am completely resolved on myself. But it is difficult to focus on real issues when the repeated attention of
Again, I don’t think the Native corporations are all angelic. But they certainly aren’t the devil incarnate either. There are many corporations, serving a diverse people in a completely unique circumstance, and were formed as a requirement from the government. It is frustrating, not to mention a bit ironic, that the Native people are so frequently vilified for being successful at what they were required to begin.
_
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy Birthday Mr. President
On the celebration of our illustrious President's birthday, Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis has a great suggestion for those who want to give an appropriate gift. Here are a few more:
Help out a local Democratic campaign. Here in Anchorage, there's Diane Benson, Ethan Berkowitz, Mark Begich and Barack Obama campaigns.
Hold a Unite for Change event in your home.
Register to vote, or register someone else to vote.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
And just a few hundred years later...
On the eve of our nation's birthday, I can't help but wonder if the founders imagined that these headlines would be possible:
Native Americans will elect our next President
Obama courts American Indians
McCain courts The Indian Country vote
Dems reach out to Native Americans
The history that this election is making, just in having these candidates at all, has been done and redone. The closer historic dates get, the more "rah rah" I can get about so much regarding history. But it's still worth a moment of pause on the 4th to look at just what's happened across this land since 1776. Not all good, but certainly not all bad.
Overdone sentementality or not, it is a nation full of invention and creativity, as well as shame and horrific acts. But I can appreciate, most of all, the willingness for change. A country that not really all that long ago found that the only good Indians were dead ones, that black men belonged in cotton fields, not presidential elections, and women didn't deserve the vote, much less a shot at an office, can find itself on a much different path. Wherever "there" is, we're not there yet, but we've got a history behind us that proves we're not just capable of injustice, but of acknowledging the injustice, and righting the wrong.
Okay, American cheerleading done for now. On the 5th I will bemoan the economy as I fill up my gas tank, shake my head in disgust at yet another elected official fighting corruption charges, and work towards electing those that will not require my relatives head back to Iraq.
But the 4th I will reserve for spending time with family and remembering why I believe it can all still change.
And hot dogs.
_
Native Americans will elect our next President
Obama courts American Indians
McCain courts The Indian Country vote
Dems reach out to Native Americans
The history that this election is making, just in having these candidates at all, has been done and redone. The closer historic dates get, the more "rah rah" I can get about so much regarding history. But it's still worth a moment of pause on the 4th to look at just what's happened across this land since 1776. Not all good, but certainly not all bad.
Overdone sentementality or not, it is a nation full of invention and creativity, as well as shame and horrific acts. But I can appreciate, most of all, the willingness for change. A country that not really all that long ago found that the only good Indians were dead ones, that black men belonged in cotton fields, not presidential elections, and women didn't deserve the vote, much less a shot at an office, can find itself on a much different path. Wherever "there" is, we're not there yet, but we've got a history behind us that proves we're not just capable of injustice, but of acknowledging the injustice, and righting the wrong.
Okay, American cheerleading done for now. On the 5th I will bemoan the economy as I fill up my gas tank, shake my head in disgust at yet another elected official fighting corruption charges, and work towards electing those that will not require my relatives head back to Iraq.
But the 4th I will reserve for spending time with family and remembering why I believe it can all still change.
And hot dogs.
_
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Is there such a thing as "Indian Time"?
This is kind of a neat, thought-provoking article from Indian Country Today.
It's about "Indian time" - a time I've heard about since... always. I usually actually hear about it when everyone shows up late (and I do mean everyone!) I've had friends who travel a bit say that it's not something particular to Natives, that many cultures (or just people) have this sense. I liked what one of the women in the article said:
"Human Time". I like it.
When I asked my dad if he thought there was Indian time, he said there was, but he hated when it was used in a negative context (like to simply describe being late all the time). That Indian time just means not early, not late - it's the time when everything is ready. It's when everything is just right.
That's more a concept I can gel with. I always thought it was kind of funny that whenever I had a party, my roommates and I could determine when everyone was going to show up within 15 minutes of when they would. We named the times for when people showed up - from "Joe time" at 15 minutes early to "J.R." time at three hours in. But it all worked.
This has been true for nearly every Native cultural event I've attended, and it does not mean everyone is late. In fact, you have to plan for coffee being there an hour or so early, for those that show up then. You don't neccessarily start when it's supposed to start. Well, pretty much never. But within an hour or so. In fact, I went to a potlatch a few months back that began three hours after the scheduled time (and had already been rescheduled just the day before to begin three hours before that!) But nobody really expected it to be starting much earlier than when it did.
The point is (I suppose), the time was right. If people showed up at the potlatch (which was a memorial/honor potlatch) expecting it to start much earlier, there was no stress about it beginning so late. When the time was right is when we began. Human time.
So - how many of you are on "Indian time"?
_
It's about "Indian time" - a time I've heard about since... always. I usually actually hear about it when everyone shows up late (and I do mean everyone!) I've had friends who travel a bit say that it's not something particular to Natives, that many cultures (or just people) have this sense. I liked what one of the women in the article said:
''More and more, I am convinced Indian time is just 'human time,''' said Native
poet Sondra Ball of New Jersey. ''Humans were not meant to keep exact times. We
were meant to live within the confines of seasons, light and dark, and our own
body's rhythms, which are not the same from day to day or from year to year.''
"Human Time". I like it.
When I asked my dad if he thought there was Indian time, he said there was, but he hated when it was used in a negative context (like to simply describe being late all the time). That Indian time just means not early, not late - it's the time when everything is ready. It's when everything is just right.
That's more a concept I can gel with. I always thought it was kind of funny that whenever I had a party, my roommates and I could determine when everyone was going to show up within 15 minutes of when they would. We named the times for when people showed up - from "Joe time" at 15 minutes early to "J.R." time at three hours in. But it all worked.
This has been true for nearly every Native cultural event I've attended, and it does not mean everyone is late. In fact, you have to plan for coffee being there an hour or so early, for those that show up then. You don't neccessarily start when it's supposed to start. Well, pretty much never. But within an hour or so. In fact, I went to a potlatch a few months back that began three hours after the scheduled time (and had already been rescheduled just the day before to begin three hours before that!) But nobody really expected it to be starting much earlier than when it did.
The point is (I suppose), the time was right. If people showed up at the potlatch (which was a memorial/honor potlatch) expecting it to start much earlier, there was no stress about it beginning so late. When the time was right is when we began. Human time.
So - how many of you are on "Indian time"?
_
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