Chewing the Cud

  • A Statement of Tears

    In his Forward of the book Claiming Two-Spirits, Raven Heavy Runner speaks of his grandmother’s wisdom.  “Be mindful of how you talk as you have the power to hurt or heal one another.”  In speaking her words Heavy Runner’s grandmother becomes an elder to whom we should listen. I, along with many others, grieve on this day.  Grieving for those who…

  • Supreme Identity

    A few days ago, on October 31, President Biden proclaimed and affirmed November as Native American Heritage Month and November 25 as Native American Heritage Day.  All fine and good, however, we do well to recognize political proclamations makes about as much change in national structure as spitting chaw into the Columbia River—it has an impact,…

  • Off by One

    My count was off by one.  Here it was the first day of the year and I had lost a cow.  The night of solstice had been long, but well worth it.  Some time ago we had let the calendared new year go in favor of what is natural to our place.  The evening lacked…

  • Beloved Identity

    Grasping one’s identity is never easy in today’s systemic market driven world.  Anyone who is tied to a cherished institution, like a church, synagogue, or mosque, knows the institution, to some extent, shapes their identity.  When one’s relationship with an institution becomes generational, the shaping of identity is all the greater.  More so, institutions shape family and community…

  • Misshaping Created Identity

    There are many reasons to remember, tell stories, teach, and learn history.  Of them all, one, is to learn the mistakes of our parents.  For therein lies the why of who we are.  To know their mistakes does not negate their gifts or strong points.  Rather, they allow us to understand our own better.