Haven't We Built All The Mission Walls We Ever Want To Build?
"I want to have conversations with my relatives, not battles. Let’s save our ferocity for decolonizing, and give our compassion and patience to one another. I want to be part of a strong, deep California Indian future. I’m not saying we can’t disagree or engage in critical thinking, even argue back and forth - but haven’t we built all the mission walls we ever want to build?" --Deborah A. Miranda (Esselen/Chumash) From "Being California Indian in a Post-Canonization World"
Was Sherman Alexie Acting, "Twice As Good?"
Ah, the furor! I'm sure for much of the world, this isn't even on their radar, but we all care about the things we care about the most. And if you care about poetry, you probably do have a few shits to give on this recent controversy involving Sherman Alexie and his guest editing stint for "The Best American Poetry 2015." (BAP) The Washington Post put out an article this morning called, "A white guy named Michael couldn’t get his poem published. Then he became Yi-Fen Chou," t
Our Culture is Not a Costume
"I was trying to show it the proper way. I didn’t want to be wearing a scandalous little outfit and a headdress because that’s so wrong on so many levels. The headdress is sacred, women don’t wear that. I wore our traditional regalia. I showcased the healing dance, the jingle dress, I showcased everything I possibly could that they would be educated and understand our culture is not a costume." --Ashley Callingbull-Burnham (Enoch Cree) From "‘I’m not going to shut up’: First
