For me, the coolest thing about this year’s Indigenous People’s Day was hearing that Chinook salmon had been able to pass all the remaining obstructions in the Klamath River and made it home to their headwater homelands to spawn. What a gift from the Creator — and generations of activists! 🙏🏼
Chris, the thinkers I respect the most are those who say, "I'm reconsidering this" or "I've come to see it differently now." To me, it is the indication of a lively and growing mind and self. I aspire to this, always. Thank you for putting it as you have here.
On another note-as a whitey I resisted the L-A movement for a long time b/c it felt knee-jerk to me and I wanted to wait, for myself, until it felt deeply considered. It does now, because I've found it invites other white people to think about something--indigenous ownership and presence--that they may not have right at that moment. Especially outside of the West. It's become common enough in Alaska spaces and events that I miss it when I'm elsewhere. It feels like a missing piece, akin to not introducing a speaker by name. I would love to talk about this more in person. Of note, In Alaska, Indigenous People's Day is also a state holiday, and it replaced Columbus Day (at the state level--can't do much about the federal). This act happened under Republican governor Bill Walker in 2017, in case you want a sign of how much times have changed.
Christine, miigwech for all the kind words! I'm very much aware of Bradfield's broadside work and I'm a huge fan of hers. I can't wait to meet her in Alaska next year!
“I think I’ve moved away from trying to get white people to be allies to Indigenous movements, to asking myself, ‘How are you, Leanne? How are you in solidarity with Palestine and Palestinian people? How are you in solidarity with this global movement for Black Lives?’” ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 I often have to remind myself of this when I’m disappointed by a friend or acquaintances who say they care and stand in solidarity with us, then turn around and do the complete opposite.
Loved your closing line, “I want my mind to be open to all the possibilities, and supportive of every tiny step along the way.” YES!
As always, I live for your footnotes. Also, been drinking from a firehouse while listening to Ibram X Kendi read his book How to Be an Antiracist, so feeling your "How are you"
Very timely! Just finished reading "The Sentence" a few days ago. Had wondered if the place in the book was real, so thanks for answering that question. Keep on fighting the good fight!
Coffee deprivation is real. And more than physiologic. It’s downright spiritual. I’d allow it.
I appreciate the re-thinking narrative. I am similarly struck and similarly adjusted.
I was lucky to spend Indigenous People’s Day on campus and to participate in a community round dance a few weeks after a knee replacement. The gentle, mindful sideways step was just the thing to bring the knee back into action. And our emeritus director of NAS invited me to join him as a greeter in the circle. He leaned over as we were shaking hands - “from one old guy to another slightly younger old guy, I just had physical therapy and could see you straining a bit.” while we grinned and greeted students, faculty, community members… This had meaning.
Cool book rec. I’m going to foist something like this (or another similar daily poetry prompt book you shared previously) on my English methods students next term. Write, they will.
As always, thank you for your insights and updates.
Well, now you’ve given me a new part of Minneapolis to explore as I get to know it better during visits to my daughter in college there. You’ve also given me the reminder I need as frequently as possible to always keep my mind open to what is and the possibility of what can be. Thank you, Chris.
"I want my mind to be open to all the possibilities, and supportive of every tiny step along the way." I am thankful for this incredible post that will take me a few days to digest and for the books I will add to my forever growing list to read. Your words made me think of a recent interview with Megan Mayhew Bergman and this qoute about writing" Hide the medicine in the cake."
I agree that cynicism has to be thoughtful. Little things that seem useless cam be like a toehold on a long climb or a chisel point working its way in, that eventually helps many others topple the tower. They can't be the only thing, but they likely have an effect. Indirect warfare? I can't think of the term. No coffee yet!
Worth the wait for this post!! Thanks for sharing your “chaotic” thoughts. I often find your words to be grounding to my own chaotic thoughts. Ordered “Everything is a Story” and excited! I’ll be at your event in Longmont on Monday! Crazy travels between now and then and I hope you enjoy your coffee and thoughts!
Thanks for sharing another glimpse into your thoughts, life, and travels. I always learn something, find something new to ponder, and feel lifted (if not also irritable) after reading your "word mush." I appreciate you and your efforts very much.
I love this so much!! Obviously I’m on board of anyone trying to pry open their mind a little (crowbars please) and I am also finding my relationship to token gestures shifting (is it the wisdom of age that has softened my demands or is it simply my propensity to melt the borders of definitions wherever and whenever I can?? Idk but I love to hear your thought process and also link it to your internal connections process). lol “the prices were not decolonized” haha. I slept on The Sentence but you’ve got me intrigued! And I’m still on Team Coffee too (my favorite plant relationship, one of my excuses). My relatives were serious worshippers and I sometimes think it’s my connection to them while I drink it that drives me (another excuse?). Anyway, thank you for this “chaotic brain dump”! And head photo of food truck. Good luck with the plowing! It’s rough work, so endless sometimes.
For me, the coolest thing about this year’s Indigenous People’s Day was hearing that Chinook salmon had been able to pass all the remaining obstructions in the Klamath River and made it home to their headwater homelands to spawn. What a gift from the Creator — and generations of activists! 🙏🏼
Keep up the fight, Chris! More coffee!
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Chris, the thinkers I respect the most are those who say, "I'm reconsidering this" or "I've come to see it differently now." To me, it is the indication of a lively and growing mind and self. I aspire to this, always. Thank you for putting it as you have here.
On another note-as a whitey I resisted the L-A movement for a long time b/c it felt knee-jerk to me and I wanted to wait, for myself, until it felt deeply considered. It does now, because I've found it invites other white people to think about something--indigenous ownership and presence--that they may not have right at that moment. Especially outside of the West. It's become common enough in Alaska spaces and events that I miss it when I'm elsewhere. It feels like a missing piece, akin to not introducing a speaker by name. I would love to talk about this more in person. Of note, In Alaska, Indigenous People's Day is also a state holiday, and it replaced Columbus Day (at the state level--can't do much about the federal). This act happened under Republican governor Bill Walker in 2017, in case you want a sign of how much times have changed.
Lastly--are you aware of Broadsided.org? It's a project by my dear friend Elizabeth Bradfield, who I'm pretty sure you know (and you'll be sharing time at Kachemak Bay, I'm so envious!). Anyway, that project has a sizable translated archive, including poems in indigenous languages. It's beautiful: https://broadsidedpress.org/broadside-tags/american-indigenous-language/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNkkGRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvLVFqYwvOldhkWq45JHnmxDIYav-6WNVUlf7YvwTh-KlHauAQMh9q7Ziq9P_aem_cYyqPO3Kw5Vw7MsGAWx3oA
Sorry to add to your backlog!
Christine, miigwech for all the kind words! I'm very much aware of Bradfield's broadside work and I'm a huge fan of hers. I can't wait to meet her in Alaska next year!
“I think I’ve moved away from trying to get white people to be allies to Indigenous movements, to asking myself, ‘How are you, Leanne? How are you in solidarity with Palestine and Palestinian people? How are you in solidarity with this global movement for Black Lives?’” ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 I often have to remind myself of this when I’m disappointed by a friend or acquaintances who say they care and stand in solidarity with us, then turn around and do the complete opposite.
Loved your closing line, “I want my mind to be open to all the possibilities, and supportive of every tiny step along the way.” YES!
If you haven't read Simpson I urge you to! She is mighty.
Thank you for the rec! 💥❤️🔥
As always, I live for your footnotes. Also, been drinking from a firehouse while listening to Ibram X Kendi read his book How to Be an Antiracist, so feeling your "How are you"
✊🏽
This entire post made my heart happy. Good to read you again, Chris!! 🩵
Amen. You are the best
I appreciate it, Jean.
Very timely! Just finished reading "The Sentence" a few days ago. Had wondered if the place in the book was real, so thanks for answering that question. Keep on fighting the good fight!
The coffee shop is, the bookstore is, it ALL is!
Coffee deprivation is real. And more than physiologic. It’s downright spiritual. I’d allow it.
I appreciate the re-thinking narrative. I am similarly struck and similarly adjusted.
I was lucky to spend Indigenous People’s Day on campus and to participate in a community round dance a few weeks after a knee replacement. The gentle, mindful sideways step was just the thing to bring the knee back into action. And our emeritus director of NAS invited me to join him as a greeter in the circle. He leaned over as we were shaking hands - “from one old guy to another slightly younger old guy, I just had physical therapy and could see you straining a bit.” while we grinned and greeted students, faculty, community members… This had meaning.
Cool book rec. I’m going to foist something like this (or another similar daily poetry prompt book you shared previously) on my English methods students next term. Write, they will.
As always, thank you for your insights and updates.
-Nigel
I appreciate it, Nigel.
Well, now you’ve given me a new part of Minneapolis to explore as I get to know it better during visits to my daughter in college there. You’ve also given me the reminder I need as frequently as possible to always keep my mind open to what is and the possibility of what can be. Thank you, Chris.
I haven't read them all, but I think this is one of your best. Thanks for vulnerability, pride, arrogance and transparency.
"I want my mind to be open to all the possibilities, and supportive of every tiny step along the way." I am thankful for this incredible post that will take me a few days to digest and for the books I will add to my forever growing list to read. Your words made me think of a recent interview with Megan Mayhew Bergman and this qoute about writing" Hide the medicine in the cake."
I agree that cynicism has to be thoughtful. Little things that seem useless cam be like a toehold on a long climb or a chisel point working its way in, that eventually helps many others topple the tower. They can't be the only thing, but they likely have an effect. Indirect warfare? I can't think of the term. No coffee yet!
Worth the wait for this post!! Thanks for sharing your “chaotic” thoughts. I often find your words to be grounding to my own chaotic thoughts. Ordered “Everything is a Story” and excited! I’ll be at your event in Longmont on Monday! Crazy travels between now and then and I hope you enjoy your coffee and thoughts!
Thanks for sharing another glimpse into your thoughts, life, and travels. I always learn something, find something new to ponder, and feel lifted (if not also irritable) after reading your "word mush." I appreciate you and your efforts very much.
Chii migwetch dear friend!
❤️
I love this so much!! Obviously I’m on board of anyone trying to pry open their mind a little (crowbars please) and I am also finding my relationship to token gestures shifting (is it the wisdom of age that has softened my demands or is it simply my propensity to melt the borders of definitions wherever and whenever I can?? Idk but I love to hear your thought process and also link it to your internal connections process). lol “the prices were not decolonized” haha. I slept on The Sentence but you’ve got me intrigued! And I’m still on Team Coffee too (my favorite plant relationship, one of my excuses). My relatives were serious worshippers and I sometimes think it’s my connection to them while I drink it that drives me (another excuse?). Anyway, thank you for this “chaotic brain dump”! And head photo of food truck. Good luck with the plowing! It’s rough work, so endless sometimes.
Miigwech, Kara. It’s always good to hear from you!