Reel Injun

Shusli, Redwillow, and I went to see the movie "Reel Injun," a documentary produced by Neil Diamond about the Hollywood perception of Indians and the images it has created.

Neil interviews many interesting folks such as: John Trudell, Sacheen Littlefeather, Robbie Robertson, Chris Eyre, Clint Eastwood, and many others.

The film documents how Hollywood has viewed Indians throughout the decades since its birth in the late 19th century. He explains how Indians were portrayed as fellow human beings into the 1920's, but during the Depression, the Indians as "uncivilized savage" came into vogue. That is where the Indian speak started: Ugh, Me heapum big indin cheef!"

As a kid, I always felt uncomfortable about Bugs Bunny (my favorite as a kid) was killing Indians and making a joke out of it. What the f**k?

This is an excellent travel film done by Neil Diamond and it is currently playing in Portland, Oregon at the Hollywood Theater through Sunday, November 28.

A must see!

After watching this, I listened to a 1946 Jack Benny program and heard him use the Indian Speak for a laugh during the show and at the end, in a very serious tone, stated that the brotherhood of man should get along no matter the race. (head spinning like Linda Blair).

I've also been reading a racist peace blog where an educated peace activist uses Indians in his own creation. He created us Indians into a rather large peace and non-violent group...C'MON!

Racist mascots.

I hate institutional racism above all forms because it is accepted as natural, and when challenged, it is explained to us Indians that we don't know better. At least the overt racists are honest.

"Reel Injun." Go see it. Take your friends. Take your neighbors. It is an important documentary.

Tillicum Wawa Will Interview Iopkea and Inette

Felicia (Eugene's daughter), Iokepa and Inette

On Thursday, November 25, Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., from 10 to 11am PST, "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People" will be interviewing Iokepa and Inette. We will be discussing Inette's new book "Grandmother's Whisper," and talking with them both about their Return Voyage program. We will also be discussing Hawaiian culture, its preservation, sacred sites, etc.

So, tune in on Thursday, November 25, for a special "Tillicum Wawa" for an interview with Iopkea and Inette from 10 to 11am on KBOO, 90.7fm. KBOO can also be found on the web at kboo.fm and listened to online.

"Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People"

is
Vicki "Redwillow" Creel
Rhonda "Shusli" Baseler
Eugene Johnson

Our mission statement is:

We will connect tribal communities and those who support those communities via the KBOO airwaves with the intent to empower Native Americans, to bridge cultures and broaden understanding in an enviornment of learning and collaboration.

For programming updates and pictures visit Eugene's KBOO blog at this link.

Tillicum Wawa is now on Podcasst

The pilot program for "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People," is now podcast on the KBOO website. Click here for the link. Check it out. Then, if you like it, send e-mails to the program director to forward to the program committee to encourage them to give us a regular time slot.

We interviewed Eric Bernando and Peter Bauer (Urban Scout) about the Chinook Jargon classes they provide.

We also interviewed Robert Miller, a Shawnee member and lawyer and law professor at Lewis and Clark College about his new book, "Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies." He is also the author of "Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Manifest Destiny."

We had an "Angry Indian Minute" and commentary from Shusli on Veteran's Day.

You can e-mail Chris Merrick, KBOO'S program director at:

program@kboo.org

On Thursday, November 25th, "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People," would like to welcome Iokepa and Inette to discuss Inettes new book, "Grandmother's Whisper," and to discuss their current journey for their Return Voyage program. So tune in to KBOO at their website, or to 90.7fm to listen in.

Tillicum Wawa, 11-11-10

On Thursday, November 11, "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People,"aired its pilot program on KBOO, 90.7fm. Our guests were Eric Bernando, Urban Scout (aka Peter Bauer), and Robert Miller.
We had a format, but prior to the show airing, we were listening to the conversation about language between Robert, Eric, and Peter, that Shusli suggested we continue with that conversation on the air, and it worked out very well. Robert asked most the questions of Eric and Peter, and when I attempted to ask Robert questions about his work, he seemed like, "yeah, I wrote a couple of books and teach law. So, Eric, how did you get involved in learning the Chinook Jargon." I'm exaggerating of course, but it was really charming how it worked out.

It was really interesting to listen to Urban Scout talk about learning the language because he is not Indian. He took to heart that saying when you go to another country you should try to learn that country's language. If you wish to contact Eric and Urb about learning the language, you can check out their website, Learn Chinook Jargon.

We did get Robert Miller to talk a bit about his work, but as Robert mentioned his ownership of a rare language dictionary, I realized we did exactly what we wanted to do with this show, made connections between communities. I am grateful to be a part of this show! Robert wrote the book "Native America Discovered and Conquered," and more recently, "Discovering Indigenous Land," both dealing with the doctrine of discovery which is the legal document the Euro's used to steal the world from the rest of us.

I read my "Angry Indian Minute" piece and Shusli read her "Honoring the Veterans" piece. To her, warriors are more than just folk who don a uniform in the military, they are folk who fight for the land, struggle for their communities, etc.

The show is still up in the air as far as being a regular program, so we'll see what happens.

We had a great time and learned a lot in that little hour. It was fun!

I ran into Rolf Semprabaun on the way out and at some point he is going to help us to podcast so if you missed the program, we'll hook you up.

Too bad you all weren't there, but maybe next time.

STEP IT UP! YOU'RE HOLDING UP TRAFFIC!

Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People

On Thursday, November 11, from 6pm to 7pm, "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People" will air its pilot program on KBOO, 90.7fm. "Tillicum Wawa" is Chinook Jargon for "The People Speak." The program will present interviews from local indigenous peoples, indigenous peoples around the world, as well as news, views, updates on sacred site issues, etc. The program is meant to show that Indians are still alive today, and have many different facets. "Tillicum Wawa" we hope will connect Indians to one another as well as to non-indigenous people. "Tillicum Wawa" is produced by Vicki "Redwillow" Creel, Rhonda "Shusli" Baseler, and Eugene Johnson. The first show will feature field interviews and commentary with a special guest, Robert Miller, author of the new book "Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies." Robert Miller is a lawyer who teaches law at Lewis and Clark College and has written the book, "Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny." We will be discussing his books as well as the Doctrine of Discovery and its effects on Indians, past and present. "Tillicum Wawa" will also have a feature "The Angry Indian Minute," inspired by the "APA Compass" feature, "The Angry Asian Minute." So tune in for the pilot program of "Tillicum Wawa: Voices of the People," on Thursday, November 11, from 6-7pm, on KBOO, 90.7fm. KBOO can also be found at kboo.fm, where you can listen live on your computer.

Holy Crap!

I made it to section 3 of Patrick Wolff's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess [3rd edition]."

Chess is nothing like war, at least in the modern sense. Jennifer Shahade suggests that the game is very feminine in her book, "Chess Bitch." Fair play. Equal sides. Equality and fair play are very feminine ideas. Warfare in the modern sense is use of overwhelming against a weakened opponent.

I finally got through the king hunt example and variations and all the exercises at the end of the Tactics section, chapter 8. Mind you, it wasn't that difficult. It has just been my own psychological barrier in getting myself there.

There are many games in life that help as a guide through life. Chess is one of them, the one I enjoy the most. The one I want to get a good grip on again and have fun with (I just noticed a ladybug crawling around on our dining room table as I write this about 2:15 in the morning).

Section 3 of the Complete Idiot's guide to Chess is "Strategy." I learned that there are three sections to the game; the opening, the middle, and the endgame. I am learning about the opening and gaining a new understanding of what is needed and expected at the beginning.

This makes me think of Shusli and I working toward buying a house. We figured out the things we need to do. I personally need to clean up my credit. After months of work and gaining the right position, we should be done with our opening salvo in this month. Then comes t middle game, shopping. Then comes the endgame, purchasing.

I found an audio copy of "The Illiad" by Homer. In this book, I found fine examples of manhood. This war was something like chess as the adversaries were rather equal, they fought on an even field with similar weapons, they were brave men who faced adversaries stronger or as strong as well as weaker. They felt pain and anguish like men. They behaved like men behaving like children. I learned more about being a man from this book than I have from the examples I had growing up. No, I do not feel a desire to go out and kill my enemy, I feel the desire to face everyday with a sense of bravery. Ain't nothin' that big of a deal that I can't handle it in a good way.

"African Queen" was a good example for me as well on how to behave as a man. Treat your equals kindly and with respect. Be bold, daring, and brave together. Face your challenges helping each other.

I feel like I am making the opening moves into the rest of my life.