After reading this I can't stop thinking about how choosing to see love and stay in love with this world is truly a radical (rad-, as in 'of the root'), necessary act. There's a line from a Christian Wiman poem I've also been thinking about lately that says: "If I could chance the night's improvidence / and be the being this hard mercy means." It's the being that this hard mercy needs that I feel when it comes to loving this world despite or because of what horrors it inflicts on others, on the land. I've known the history of this day relatively recently in my middle aged life and I repeat it to everyone I now know--and will be sharing the documentary you linked as well--knowing true history and holding it is a hard mercy this world needs, if we're to know anything real about the world we love. And I cannot WAIT to read your new book. 💜
Thank you for mentioning Dakota 38+2 movie, which I watch on this day every year in honor of my adopted family members who ride, who have ridden, some of whose faces appear in the documentary and others whose names scroll by. And this year will watch with a silent moment before and after honoring Jim Miller for its creation - a man whose name is added to that list of those who have ridden to the other side.
“I refuse to despair for the world” - miigwech for this tenacious proclamation. It feels hard right now, especially during (unusually warm and dry) winter. I wish everyone could experience something profound like the Yellowstone retreat, and I wonder how the world would be different if ritual and reverence were more respected. I sure know I could do for something like that soon, to reawaken some awe and raison d’être for momentum into this new year. I am anxious about what 2024 holds, and also hopeful, and it is difficult, but the alternative is worse.
So beautiful Chris, and so much to think about. I'm glad Yellowstone was, well, the magic that is Yellowstone ... and can I just say, we've started taking "the long way" to Missoula (which is only about 30 minutes longer) by going up 89 to the Canyon Ferry road, then west through Helena and over MacDonald Pass. Mostly 2 lane, gorgeous scenery, and without the terror/heartsickness of the Interstate.
Ancestors are interesting. My great-greats went down on the Lusitania (his family was French Canadian, probably some Metis in there somewhere, Plamondon's a pretty common "fur trader" name). Anyhow, it was a disaster for their 5 children, and while 1911 seems a long way back, I know what a disaster it was because my mother considered her grandmother (one of the orphaned daughters) to be her real mother, and my grandmother, who I adored, wound up with this cluster of orphaned aunts and uncles. We don't have real family stories much past the sunken great-greats, but we do have about 150 years of story, and it's invaluable. I don't have kids, but having the template for how important Aunts/Uncles can be baked into our family story means I have a real role, and while I won't be a direct ancestor, I hope to be a remembered one.
I'm glad you had a good solstice. We had a lovely, quiet Christmas on the shoulders of Emigrant Peak, with a little skating on Dailey Lake, a lot of stars, and this morning -- the return of our resident winter cow elk herd. Blessings for 2024 ...
I'm a fairly new reader (thanks to AHP for the recommendation!) but your writing has already become a gift that appears in my otherwise noisy inbox. It gives a moment to pause, engage and have my thoughts provoked. Thank you!
2. Stepping into the breaches solidarity. Forever.
3. Our Waning Gibbous announced herself in the most dazzling shade of orange tonight, and it made me think of you. Wish I had a proper camera (and less light pollution) to do her justice, but this imperfect facsimile from the phone camera will have to do: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14cxxj6Zb_-Uy7tNIVLVTYsF7cmy8w0Xf/view
I can't stop thinking about the Dakota 38. This morning I see them as victorious. Like adult salmon, they sacrificed themselves to insure the survival of the young — and it worked.
I did not know about this history until I read the poem "38" by Layli Long Soldier in the Anthology "When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through" edited by Joy Harjo. I just finished the documentary and am grateful that you pointed us to it. I'm also glad that you and others are sticking around here. And showing up.
"If the game be at all plenty" - so much meaning in those 7 simple words. I read the accounts you linked to of the Dakota wars and the 38 hangings and it saddens me that I am not surprised, the depths of depravity shown in those times, which occurred over and over again. The fact they dug up the body of the Chief and cleaned and varnished his skeleton to put on display for anatomy study hurt me to the bone.
Thank you for continuing to "show up" here. I've learned much from you over the past several years, and look forward to furthering my "education." Oh, to be in the Lamar Valley on the winter solstice! I'm truly happy that what you envisioned came to fruition so beautifully. The idea of those 12 participants going home with the inspiration and commitment to be good ancestors gives me great hope in the impact they will have on others. l hope we can see Nookomis tonight. Michaabikizi (there is a full moon).
I watched the film, Dakota 38 last evening. Although I knew the story of the hangings, this really brought home the tragedy of it. I'm still full of the emotions I felt watching the film...anger, sadness, shame, outrage at the injustice. Yet the film also left me feeling spiritual and inspired by the tenacity and love of the riders. It was a real gut-punch during the end credits, tho, when they showed the photo of the young man who was so full of anger and mistrust and was transformed by the ride, determined to bring happiness home with him. Then died 2 yrs later.
After reading this I can't stop thinking about how choosing to see love and stay in love with this world is truly a radical (rad-, as in 'of the root'), necessary act. There's a line from a Christian Wiman poem I've also been thinking about lately that says: "If I could chance the night's improvidence / and be the being this hard mercy means." It's the being that this hard mercy needs that I feel when it comes to loving this world despite or because of what horrors it inflicts on others, on the land. I've known the history of this day relatively recently in my middle aged life and I repeat it to everyone I now know--and will be sharing the documentary you linked as well--knowing true history and holding it is a hard mercy this world needs, if we're to know anything real about the world we love. And I cannot WAIT to read your new book. 💜
Thank you for mentioning Dakota 38+2 movie, which I watch on this day every year in honor of my adopted family members who ride, who have ridden, some of whose faces appear in the documentary and others whose names scroll by. And this year will watch with a silent moment before and after honoring Jim Miller for its creation - a man whose name is added to that list of those who have ridden to the other side.
“I refuse to despair for the world” - miigwech for this tenacious proclamation. It feels hard right now, especially during (unusually warm and dry) winter. I wish everyone could experience something profound like the Yellowstone retreat, and I wonder how the world would be different if ritual and reverence were more respected. I sure know I could do for something like that soon, to reawaken some awe and raison d’être for momentum into this new year. I am anxious about what 2024 holds, and also hopeful, and it is difficult, but the alternative is worse.
This email is a bright spot in the relentless deluge of my inbox...one of the few emails I look forward to!
So beautiful Chris, and so much to think about. I'm glad Yellowstone was, well, the magic that is Yellowstone ... and can I just say, we've started taking "the long way" to Missoula (which is only about 30 minutes longer) by going up 89 to the Canyon Ferry road, then west through Helena and over MacDonald Pass. Mostly 2 lane, gorgeous scenery, and without the terror/heartsickness of the Interstate.
Ancestors are interesting. My great-greats went down on the Lusitania (his family was French Canadian, probably some Metis in there somewhere, Plamondon's a pretty common "fur trader" name). Anyhow, it was a disaster for their 5 children, and while 1911 seems a long way back, I know what a disaster it was because my mother considered her grandmother (one of the orphaned daughters) to be her real mother, and my grandmother, who I adored, wound up with this cluster of orphaned aunts and uncles. We don't have real family stories much past the sunken great-greats, but we do have about 150 years of story, and it's invaluable. I don't have kids, but having the template for how important Aunts/Uncles can be baked into our family story means I have a real role, and while I won't be a direct ancestor, I hope to be a remembered one.
I'm glad you had a good solstice. We had a lovely, quiet Christmas on the shoulders of Emigrant Peak, with a little skating on Dailey Lake, a lot of stars, and this morning -- the return of our resident winter cow elk herd. Blessings for 2024 ...
I'm a fairly new reader (thanks to AHP for the recommendation!) but your writing has already become a gift that appears in my otherwise noisy inbox. It gives a moment to pause, engage and have my thoughts provoked. Thank you!
Just have to clock in to say:
1. What a magnificent way to spend the Solstice.
2. Stepping into the breaches solidarity. Forever.
3. Our Waning Gibbous announced herself in the most dazzling shade of orange tonight, and it made me think of you. Wish I had a proper camera (and less light pollution) to do her justice, but this imperfect facsimile from the phone camera will have to do: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14cxxj6Zb_-Uy7tNIVLVTYsF7cmy8w0Xf/view
I look forward to your emails every single time. Thank you!
I can't stop thinking about the Dakota 38. This morning I see them as victorious. Like adult salmon, they sacrificed themselves to insure the survival of the young — and it worked.
I’m going to add to my list of reflections this week...”how can I stand in the breach” 🌕 ✨
I did not know about this history until I read the poem "38" by Layli Long Soldier in the Anthology "When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through" edited by Joy Harjo. I just finished the documentary and am grateful that you pointed us to it. I'm also glad that you and others are sticking around here. And showing up.
I whole-heartedly step into the breach with you, and others here...Onward.
"If the game be at all plenty" - so much meaning in those 7 simple words. I read the accounts you linked to of the Dakota wars and the 38 hangings and it saddens me that I am not surprised, the depths of depravity shown in those times, which occurred over and over again. The fact they dug up the body of the Chief and cleaned and varnished his skeleton to put on display for anatomy study hurt me to the bone.
Thank you for continuing to "show up" here. I've learned much from you over the past several years, and look forward to furthering my "education." Oh, to be in the Lamar Valley on the winter solstice! I'm truly happy that what you envisioned came to fruition so beautifully. The idea of those 12 participants going home with the inspiration and commitment to be good ancestors gives me great hope in the impact they will have on others. l hope we can see Nookomis tonight. Michaabikizi (there is a full moon).
Well done again, Irritable. And yes it is, the greatest gift we could ever receive. Thanks for the reminder, but why do we need a reminder so often?
I watched the film, Dakota 38 last evening. Although I knew the story of the hangings, this really brought home the tragedy of it. I'm still full of the emotions I felt watching the film...anger, sadness, shame, outrage at the injustice. Yet the film also left me feeling spiritual and inspired by the tenacity and love of the riders. It was a real gut-punch during the end credits, tho, when they showed the photo of the young man who was so full of anger and mistrust and was transformed by the ride, determined to bring happiness home with him. Then died 2 yrs later.