Fulbright journey to Turtle Island ( USA)

please go see new Blog site for current research

2008-11-16T22:40:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone ! This is to let you know of my new and current blog. please go and see at www.samiastories.wordpress.com this will take you to my current research and also my research proposal for changes in my work and updates.

You can link here to www.svpelican.com

This is a wonderful process and I thank all who have been traveling with me on this journey. The current site also has ,inks to Hopevale Pelican project which is undertaken in Cape York with Elders , community and the pelican partners. This project is championed by Des and Estelle Bowen with Pelican. Pelican is an environmental working vessel that undertakes projects along the East Coast of Australia. I have been involved with them for Two Years and invited to partner to develop Digital story skills in the community through the camp held in September Holidays. This year with Natalie Davey of Saltwater and Pelican along with 2 other trainers , James Leech of the SLQ and Toni-Jayne Northcott we delivered a 3 week story telling project in a very remote place. We set up a tent and had a generator and worked in 40 degree heat with crocodiles patrolling the beach next to us. Yep and next G still got us broadband ! if you were game to wade out in low tide and hold your phone up high.

Anyway , please go and look , there is a bit of material there useful for thinking about doing DST , and making films and links. I also will be putting up the 18 stories made in that camp along with more pictures and updates , articles etc.

You can also link to the Hopevale pelican project wiki which has postings by the community and links also again to my page and Pelican. All these sites relate to each other and share different aspects of the partnerships and more full information about the community in general as well as Pelicans has a lot on other fantastic projects they have been involved with as well. There will also be powerpoints and links from there in the near future.

Be well and go look.

samia

time to come back 08

2008-06-25T16:54:00.001-07:00

I have had a huge break from writing here,nearly a full year.I have decided to start again as people have asked me to and so here I am bad spelling and all ! Yes , I do rush sometimes and forget to edit , just a flaw I have and something I promise to improve on. Thank god for spell check.

I had originally seen this to be a site I would use only during my Fulbright year, however there has been so much happening and despite my best intentions to set up a website I have not yet done so. It seems this will have to do for now and will serve to pass on news and updates of my own life and those I work with and issues here that are ongoing. One major one is the APOLOGY to Indigenous people in Australia and so I will hope to get here and update all on this as well as other things. You can of course google APOLOGY to Indiegnous Australian's and bring up a lot. There was also one made in Canada and this was interesting to see as well. Of course opinion varies greatly about what it all means . However for myself , It was very moving and I cried and cried. I did feel it was genuine , even if there was underliying political reasons for it for the parties involved. I wish to feel the genuine intent and feel the healing offered and go forth with hope. That is my preference.I felt deeply moved and many others I know did. It certainly was not something I truly thought to see in my life. I know for many Elders and others from families effected by removals , myself included here , felt this deeply and the emotions were raw and real.

I do think it is just a beginning , there is MUCH to do and may roads to travel still in this country before we see a real change in health and wellbeing in communties. I hope we can work together and bring about a true closure of the " Gap" and disparities in health and life style between Indigenous and Non Indigenous people here and elsewhere.

There is so much to catch up on , the changes here. My own journey with my PH.D and studies, which I am well into and is going well , finally can almost see an end. I have a new job with the University of Queensland now about 8 mths. The DST work with the wonderful Pelican crew . Trips back to the USA to give key notes. Much much more.

so I will begin ... and today here is some pics. then soon I will update on things. This is a picture of the Hopevale crew last year. to read more go to www.svpelican.com.au This mob is amazing and I am so blessed to become involved and connected with the work they do. I really admire them all . The Hopevale Elders also have inspired me and the work with community there is a true inspiration. I am grateful for this and many blessings in my life and for wonderful friends.

anyway more soon.

enjoy.

RED ink student magazine from University of ARIZONA

2007-05-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.redinkmagazine.com/

Just to announce this excellent publication put out by students of the American Indian studies program at UA. Please go and have a look . They have back issues available as well as online information to get a subscription or support them in the work they do. This is a really high quality work and the efforts of Eddie and others involved has made this a resource of living culture.This current issue focuses on issues of representation , art and Taboo. Have a look ! ENJOY.

I have not yet worked out on this blog how ot hyper link, when I do I will post links so you have less searching.

San Antonio Fulbright Enrichment seminar

2007-05-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots of some of the people at the Fulbright Enrichment seminar in San Antonio. WONDERFUL. Very full days working and trying to solve issues facing the local community , such as water and social issues. The group was 150 people from 60 different countries and it was incredible and rich to meet people interested in all kinds of diverse areas and who are committed to creating positive change. I met wonderful folks from everywhere and connected strongly with a large group from our nearest neighbours , yes Indonesia and NEW zealand and also people from IRAQ the philippines, spain and even Siberia. I met Indigenous people from all these countries and also had the chance to connect with others working in film , media and pyschology and share our works and ideas.
I was also invited to present , one of 3 people , the others presented on issues in South Africa ( work in setting up an a project in orphanges there ) and then also great work happening in the philipines creating community iniatives around housing and improving impoverished neighbourhoods. The project was an excellent example of self determined action , coming from the work of the community but funded by various groups and countires.I think we NEED this in Australia. I did also notice Australia was one of the funders for this . Wouldn't it be wonderful to have this happen with our communties at home? I presented on issues at home( more )! , though we only had ten minutes , not long enough and I knew that was going to be a challenge , still I managed to touch on things and had people follow up with me after and lots of conversations. I think if nothing else it really gave people some idea of the current situation at home for HEALTH.

I have been reading the latest reports " closing the GAP" if you want to really know more about health disparities go and have a look. Google it and download the PDF. Also ANTAR has a great speech given by Gary Highlands " these are the killing times" , this is very to the point and timely. I agree so much with him and it links into my work very well.I am writing a lot right now and finally having some time to do this . I know it is SORRY day soon and am thinking of all at home. SORRY day is a national day of apology and recognition of what has happened in Australia. SPECIFICALLY the " stolen Generation". The Govt has as yet not been able to make a formal apology, thus community people and Ngo's and some locacl councils have adopted this day as a day for People personally and collectively come together and say " SORRY"........For more , Google this issues , or " stolen generations" or reconcilation council Australia , AnTAR or other key words SUCH AS " sea of hands" ( for native title). Also for films , "Rabbit proof Fence " " stolen generations", " Tracker". There are numerous very good Aboriginal films. Also you can see a full list from CAAMA FILMS or WARLPIRI FILMS , such as " yella fella " or " green Bush".

another perspective from a Lakota friend

2007-04-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

A Native Perspective on Virginia Tech Headlines*

>Thursday, April 19, 2007**
>
>By Kat Teraji=20

Bury my heart at Wounded Knee, Deep in the Earth, Cover me with pretty =

lies - bury my heart at Wounded Knee. Didn't we learn to crawl, and =
>
>still our history gets written in a liar's scrawl. They tell 'ya "Honey, =
>
>you can still be an Indian d-d-down at the 'Y' on Saturday nights." - =
>
>lyrics to "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," written by Buffy St. Marie
>
>
>
>"The worst shooting rampage in American history." "Massacre and =
>
>Mourning, 33 die in worst shooting in U.S. History," and "Rampage called =
>
>worst mass shooting in U.S. history." "What first appeared to be a =
>
>single shooting death unfolded into the worst gun massacre in the =
>
>nation's history." You've
>seen and heard these headlines and reports all =
>
>week as the media provided non-stop coverage of the tragic shooting of =
>
>33 people at Virginia Tech University on Monday.
>
>
>
>"The worst in U.S. history." Really? It is certainly the worst shooting =
>
>on a college campus in modern U.S. history. But if we think it is the =
>
>worst shooting rampage in U.S. history, then we are a singularly =
>
>uneducated nation.
>
>
>
>"I can't take one more of these headlines," said Joan Redfern, a member =
>
>of the Lakota Sioux tribe who lives in Hollister. We met at First Street =
>
>Coffee to talk while we scanned Internet stories. "Haven't any of these =
>
>people ever heard of the Massacre at Sand Creek in Colorado, where =
>
>Methodist minister Col. Chivington massacred between 200 and 400 =
>
>Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, most of
>them women, children, and elderly =
>
>men?"
>
>
>
>Chivington specifically ordered the killing of children, and when he was =
>
>asked why, he said, "Kill and scalp all, big and little; nits make =
>
>lice."
>
>
>
>At Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, the U.S. 7th Cavalry attacked 350 =
>
>unarmed Lakota Sioux on December 29, 1890. While engaged in a spiritual =
>
>practice known as the "Ghost Dance," approximately 90 warriors and 200 =
>
>women and children were killed. Although the attack was officially =
>
>reported as an "unjustifiable massacre" by Field Commander General =
>
>Nelson A. Miles, 23 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor for the =
>
>slaughter. The unarmed Lakota men fought back with bare hands. The =
>
>elderly men and women stood and sang their death songs while falling =
>
>under the hail of bullets.
>Soldiers stripped the bodies of the dead =
>
>Lakota, keeping their ceremonial religious clothing as souvenirs.
>
>
>
>To say the Virginia shooting is the worst in all of U.S. history is to =
>
>pour salt on old wounds-it means erasing and forgetting all of our =
>
>ancestors who were killed in the past," Redfern said.
>
>
>
>"The use of hyperbole and lack of historical perspective seems all too =
>
>ubiquitous in much of the current mainstream media," Redfern said. "My =
>
>intention is not to downplay the horror of what has happened this week =
>
>in any way. But we have a 500-year history of mass shootings on American =
>
>soil, and let's not forget it."
>
>
>
>This is only the most recent mass shooting massacre in a long history of =
>
>mass shootings in a country engaged in a long love affair with firearms =
>
>and very
>little interest in gun control.
>
>
>
>Let's not forget our history and the richness of our Native roots. While =
>
>spending time on the 1.5 million acre Hopi Reservation in Arizona, I met =
>
>families living in homes they have occupied for over 900 years. On the =
>
>surface, it looks like a third world country: you will observe many =
>
>homes without running water, travel unpaved roads, and notice that there =
>
>are no building codes. But sitting in a Hopi home being served a =
>
>delicious lunch cooked by a proud Hopi working mother, I experienced so =
>
>much more: the continuity of a long and deep heritage, a sense of the =
>
>sacred, an artistic expertise, and wisdom about many things that remain =
>
>a mystery to my culture.
>
>
>
>Most of all, may we never forget all those innocent civilian men, women, =
>
>and children
>who lost their lives simply for being in the wrong place at =
>
>the wrong time, just as the students happened to be this week in =
>
>Virginia.=20
>
>
>
>
>
>May we always remember the precious humanity of these students, but may =
>
>we also never forget the humanity of those who lost their lives simply =
>
>for being born people Native to this country.=20
>
>
>

Encinitas CA

2007-04-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics of wonderful Encinitas southern Ca. I journey here after the visit in Santa Barbara with my good friend Michelle Blumberg ( in pic ),before heading to San Antonio for the Fulbright enrichment senimar. Michelle teaches in the NAROPA university contemplative education program. We had much to share and it was a good time to do some writing and thinking before heading east again( well south east ). It was just gorgeous weather and her parents live on the ocean. ( pic from deck ).
Michelle also works with global villiage learning and I shared about digital stories with her and with another person she works with in the area of social services. I had hoped to meet with Peter levine " waking the Tiger " , to learn more about his work with trauma" somatic experiencing " . Unfortunately I was unable to do so. otherwise it was a good visit. more soon. I have a new computer and soon will add more updates and also some good web links for more indigenous issues and sites I would like to share. My old one was limiting , slow and clunky. technology is great , but you need the equipement. I am always interested in this aspect of the " digital divide".

Virginia Tech

2007-04-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

As most will know a terrible incident has happened here in Virginia. Many of you will have seen the news reports and know the basic story. I wanted to send my heart felt thoughts of healing to all involved in this incident , the families , the students and all who feel its effect.

I hope that reflections about how this can happen and what can be done to avert such events prove helpful. I would wish that somehow from this senseless and sad action that the lives of those lost are honored with peaceful solutions in our world .

I am putting a link here to access online first person reflections on the events of yesterday. It seems that online media , face book and blogs have been very busy.Students are utilising this resource to communicate with each other about their feelings and thoughts. The mainstream media has been getting most of their leads from this sourcing.

http://icantread01.livejournal.com/103060.html
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6176579.html

For all those suffering here and elsewhere , in Iraq in Darfur , in all corners of this planet, may peace and healing become our desire. May the leaders of this world and corporations somehow realise there are indeed things more worthy than making money and eating away at the worlds resources. It is up to us to be the ones who make a future that is better. It is up to us to create a world where people don't suffer isolation and fear , where people who are unwell are helped so this kind of thing can be averted if possible.

I have just been at a Fulbright seminar and I saw in the news one of the students killed was a Fulbright Scholar. Senator Fulbright created this program of student exchange in the hope or promoting peace and understanding between people's of all nations. I believe this is possible. I do not have further details on this but am sure that as the days go by more stories of the people who died lives will unfold. Many of them died protecting others , all were people , like you and me .

Chumash canoe ( Tomol) Santa Barbara CA

2007-04-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara , Southern California is known by the Chumash people and other tribes as the "keepers of the western gate". This is a special place and very beautiful and in some ways reminds me of home. The warmth and the ocean.

I have been blessed to share with the people here and very kindly taken around to special places here and greet the land. Here are pic's of the "Tomol", the only functioing canoe of its type .he canoe( Tomol), was built by the people to be ocean going ten years ago. It is made of red wood and hand crafted according to traditional ways. The crew practices and gets in condition and then once a year travels across the channel to their homeland, on the island of Limuw( santa Cruz Island ) ,where the people were moved when the settlers came.
It is a hard crossing and there can be dangerous currents. I was taken out with the crew to the blessing of the canoe at the Equinox and spent the day as people took turns going out. The paddling is not easy and takes a lot of strength and flexibility and balance. This is a big part of it , to become one with the boat and with the ocean and to be in tune with the crew.
I felt very priveleged to do so. Here are some shots of the day as well as one of me with a surfboard on another day! Yes , finally after 9 mths of no surf and not much ocean I was home again. The surf was small , but glassy and it was great to be with the ocean again.

Help the planet/results of Earth day / hour launch

2007-04-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

Fantastic results for Earth Hour! ( from the Sydney Morning Herald)

Image: A family enjoy Earth Hour under the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Milson's Point. © Jamie Williams/Gekko Images

More than 2 million Sydney residents participated in Earth Hour on Saturday night by flicking the switch, turning appliances off stand-by and enjoying an hour of quiet darkness, according to our poll results.

The result: an impressive 10.2% drop in energy usage across the usually glittering CBD, according to Energy Australia.

This is double the anticipated energy saving and represents a reduction of 24.86 tonnes of carbon dioxide - the equivalent of taking 48,613 cars off the road for an hour!

Sydney
Saturday 31 March, 2007 - 7:30pm
See your world in a whole new ligh

Films and Music UP DATES from home

2007-04-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Some interesting sites to check out. The first one is a program form Australia. It is our main national radio station for Indigenous mob. It is great and if you follow the link you can listen to some past shows through real player or windows. The one on "Bobby turns 60" is great. Bobby Mcleod is aexceptional muscian , poet , dancer and Elder , Uncle and well known by many. Have a listen to his moving story.( pic is of Bobby Mcleod with friend at " the dreaming 06).

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/awaye/

The next is links for " Big screen ", touring films , one of my films a small short my first ), made with The MERCY , Saunders family( Val , James , Amber and Shara ) and some other wonderful people who helped in various ways ( too many to name here , but they know who they are , THANKS) .

This film was made with GAIA films( the wonderful Jenny Kendall and Paul Tait ), for the "Homegrown film festival", and also has screened now at a bunch of festivals in OZ and OS. I am so happy it has been seen and appreciated. It is a tribute to Eric Mercy, one of our first Aboriginal/ islander managers and coaches of the "Originals" surf team.
Eric was also the coach and manager for early " Oceania" Surfing teams, who attend in the pacific to the sharings we have had there. I have been fortunate to be involved with this wonderful pacific and Australian Family of Indigenous people coming together , sharing waves and culture and this film pays tribute to this gift and to this family in particular.

The Film was also selected in the finals selction of 6 and came 2nd, at the " Woodford film festival ", part of the " Woodfrod folk festival , held in QLD each year. This is also the site of the " Dreaming festival". Both are excellent and world class venues for music , film , dance and cultural sharing and learning. google and have a look .

There is another film , made with Glenn Woods and myself, called" Pasifik Journey's" that is a longer doco and focuses more on the actual " Oceania " event and covers interviews and footage of most of the teams that come. There are aprox 11 teams all up from throughout the pacific that send a team each year. Last years event was in Samoa, Manager and Coach , Scott Winch, ( who came a close 2nd in the finals to Tahiti), with Amber Mercy ( Eric's daughter), in the team. This year Amber takes over as Coach and Manager , following proudly in her fathers surfing legacy. YAY. I hope to rejoin the team in 2008 and travel with them once more ( though I am now a bit old for the team ). This is a development project and has been very positive and healing and I feel things like this are one of the many ways we can combat the bad news and make WAVES in improving our wellness in all ways.

We are also very happy to hear young Dale Richards , a Koori young man , has been selected to compete on the international circuit , the ASP. He is the the first Aboriginal man to be make this level and we wish him well. Congratualtions DALE !

Look out , Indigenous surfing is on the rise and more will come. For further info about the films , contact me , or go to the site and look and see if you can find a screening to attend.

more soon.....

http://bigscreen.afc.gov.au/Towns/Yamba/index.aspx
http://bigscreen.afc.gov.au/Towns/Yamba/program.aspx

Indigenous Health report in Australia just released

2007-04-01T19:14:00.000-07:00

CLOSE THE GAP

http://www.oxfam.org.au/

This article is copied from the oxfam website. It is The most recent report into the status of Aboriginal health and it is not good. It indicates that our health is still worse and our life expectancy is generally a good 17 years younger than other Australian's. Even compared to The Indigenous populations of USA and NZ , we still come out worst. There should be no reason for this , except the will to change it .
PLEASE , read this and respond to the appeal to ask our country to address this issue urgently , it has gone on for too long. Please go to the Oxfam site and sign a online to a petition.

MORE info and a full article can be found also in the Age Newspaper. :http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/04/01/1175366078725.html

Indigenous Australians should have the same access to health services as all other Australians.
Photo: Wayne Quilliam/OxfamAus.

Together we can end the Indigenous health crisis

Take action. Sign up to the pledge below.

Indigenous Australians die 17 years earlier than non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous infant mortality is three times that of non-Indigenous Australians. It is a national disgrace that Indigenous Australians do not have the same access to health services that other Australians enjoy.

We call on Australian governments to take action to achieve health equality for Indigenous Australians within 25 years through:

increasing annual Indigenous health funding by $450 million to enable equal access to health services
increasing Indigenous control and participation in the delivery of health services
addressing critical social issues such as housing, education and self-determination which contribute to the Indigenous health crisis

Indian Blood

2007-03-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

lately I have noticed articles and essays addressing the amount of violence towards Indigenous people here in the USA. I am including some for peoples interest. This cover " Indian Blo0d" is from the Sante Fe free paper and in it was a horrific article about the number if Indian people murdered and beaten in New Mexico. Some in broad daylight. The statistics of incidence of violence ( those that are reported), are higher than for African Americans across the country and they are generally under reported and generally not followed with arrests of any kind.
In my time here there has actually been very little at all in any press media or Television that talks at all about Native / Indian issues here.
When I speak to people , the feeling is that they are invisible , forgotten and that it is a not something that even registers at all on the national agenda and also that there is very little awareness of the huge issues people face daily.

links for more information on Indigenous issues

2007-03-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

News Links

Racism alive and well in America

2007-03-30T15:34:00.001-07:00

Racism: Houston Mayor Insults American Indians

Houston's Mayor Pro Tem Michael Berry insulted American Indian listeners during his talk show on slavery and Indians on KPRC Radio 950. The American Indian Genocide Museum in Houston urges others to respond:

Houston's Mayor Berry:

" We need to stop wasting all this time and energy apologizing to the American Indian, which we continue to do ... We give them casinos, we give them special licenses, we give them special scholarships and why I don't understand ..."

" We conquered them, that's history - Hello "'

" You got to be against giving welfare to the American Indians because of the fact , that 200 years ago they were whipped in a war. Lets just call it what it is, they lost a war."

Listen to segments:

http://950kprc.com/pages/berry.html

http://950kprc.com/cc-common/podcast.html

(Click link for March 27th - 8:AM Show. He brings up Slavery and Indians towards the middle half of the show. )

http://950kprc.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=michaelberry.xml (Another segment. Click on the 6:AM time slot - March 27th , 2007)

Indianz.com: "Houston Official: 'Stop Apologizing to American Indians'"

---http://www.indianz.com/News/2007/002096.asp

(comments follow Apoca-Whato? article)

UPDATE FROM CONGRESS:

RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY TO THE NATIVE PEOPLES
March 21, 2007

www.NativeRes.org
RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY INTRODUCED INTO BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE NEW 110TH CONGRESS
“It is time to restore relations with the Native Americans!”
--Rep. Jo Ann Davis (VA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Rep. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia introduced the Joint Resolution of Apology to the Native Peoples, H.J. Res. 3, on January 4, 2007. It has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. Sen. Sam Brownback introduced the same Joint Resolution of Apology, S.J. Res. 4, on March 1, 2007. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
YOUR CONTINUING EXPOSURE IN THE PRESS, ON THE RADIO AND TV, AND VIA OTHER MEDIA IS NEEDED for prompt hearings and swift passage out of the congressional committees and in the 110th Congress. Inform those you know.
MORE CO-SPONSORS ARE NEEDED in the U.S. House and Senate. As of this release there are 12 co-sponsors in the House and seven in the Senate. You can click on “Status of the Resolution” in the House or Senate on the “Resolution” tab at http://www.nativeres.org/ to see if Senators or Representatives from your state have co-sponsored. If not, contact them, and ask them to be willing to do so.
Your media exposure, letters and emails are making a strategic impact – keep it up!
THE RESOLUTION OF APOLOGY is meant “to acknowledge a long history of official depredations and ill-conceived policies by the U. S. Government regarding Indian tribes and offer an apology to all Native Peoples on behalf of the United States.” It mandates no monetary reparations but is simply a “first step” toward reconciliation, healing and restoration of honor toward the indigenous Native American Peoples.

Your newscasts, editorials, newsletter articles, and letters, emails and calls to Members of Congress are needed now!
The full text of the Resolution, S.J. Res 4 and H.J. Res. 3, dear colleague letters by Sen. Brownback and Rep. Davis, and links for contacting your Members of Congress are available at http://pull.xmr3.com/p/1808-F003/85405262/http-www.NativeRes.org.html. Please visit soon and send an email off to your Senators and Representative. It is important to use respectful, non-critical language. Consider this sample letter:
Dear Senator or Representative ________________,
I am writing to express my support for [S.J. Res. 4 or H. J. Res. 3] Resolution of Apology to the Native Peoples. I believe it is profoundly necessary to see the significance of this resolution as it relates to the wounds inflicted to the Native American people. Because this resolution has the ability to repair the breach and to bring much healing and reconciliation to Native Americans and this Nation, I am asking that you consider not only supporting the passage of this resolution, but also becoming a co-sponsor of [S.J.Res.4 or H.J. Res. 3].
Your dedication to the people of the great state of _____________ has been exemplary. You have provided a great service to us, and it is my prayer that you continue to do so for many years to come.
Please be so kind as to send a response regarding your decision to support and cosponsor this important Resolution. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Respectfully,
Please inform your local media outlets, associates and friends; encourage their support! Thank you for your continuing concern, and concerted action!
The 9-minute DVD from Senate Hearings in the 109th Congress is available
for easy free viewing at http://www.nativeres.org/. Check it out! Use it!
Resolution of Apology Coalition Washington, DC 20003

E-mail: info@nativeres.org

Web: http://www.nativeres.org/

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APOCA-WHATO? Mel Gibson Tells Mayan Scholar to 'F--k Off'

Mount Mel erupts again
Outburst follows filibuster at CSUN film discussion

BY RACHEL URANGA and DANA BARTHOLOMEW, Staff Writers

Article Last Updated: 03/24/2007 12:53:13 AM PDT

Mel Gibson speaks at CSUN on Thursday, March 22, 2007, in... (Khristian Garay/Daily Sundial)
NORTHRIDGE - Actor-director Mel Gibson found himself at the center of controversy again Friday, the day after he cursed a Cal State Northridge professor who accused him of racially stereotyping Mayans in his latest film, "Apocalypto."
The expletive came after a late-night CSUN screening of the movie when assistant professor Alicia Estrada questioned Gibson's sources for the graphically violent film and translated a lengthy declaration denouncing it.
Several of those in attendance said Gibson's outburst came as Estrada was being escorted from the room after a five-minute exchange in front of the audience of 130 mostly film students.
"He told her to `F--- off, lady,"' said CSUN student Josue Guajan, 22, of Van Nuys, a native Guatamalan who is half Mayan.
"I was shocked about his response. I thought he would be more civilized and it would be educational."
Estrada, a scholar of Mayan literature, said Friday that she will seek an apology.
"I am demanding an apology not just for myself but also the Central American Studies Program, to the university, and to, most importantly, the Mayan community and members of the Mayan community," Estrada said.
Gibson's publicist, however, said the actor doesn't need to apologize because he was more than gracious in answering Estrada's questions before finally becoming frustrated.
"This was just a reaction to someone being disruptive and rude," said Alan Nierob, Gibson's publicist. "He went on and completed the session and said it was successful. It's unfortunate it was tarnished with a momentary confrontation."
The incident is not the first time Gibson's temper has landed him in hot water. Last summer, Gibson screamed sexist and anti-Semitic insults at police after he was arrested for drunk driving in Malibu.
That confrontation came after the blockbuster success of Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of the Christ."
Last year, when Walt Disney distributed "Apocalypto," handlers were careful to craft a Gibson image of tolerance. ABC's "Prime Time" broadcast an hourlong special detailing Gibson's new-found sobriety as well as his use of Mayan actors and extensive research for the film.
But Thursday's incident again put Gibson on the defensive. Officials from California State University, Northridge, say it came about 20 minutes into a question-and-answer session designed to focus on moviemaking.
Gibson had calmly answered several students' questions about the film when Estrada, an assistant professor of Central American Studies, took the microphone.
Estrada said she challenged Gibson's depictions of bloodthirsty Mayans engaging in sacrificial ceremonies.
"I stated a very valid academic question," Estrada said. "He argues he studies Mayan culture and the representations he provides are authentic. I asked him who his sources were."
Estrada said Gibson used profanity in his response, although CSUN spokesman John Chandler disagreed.
"He didn't respond with a profanity," Chandler said. "He responded by answering the question."
Estrada said she then handed the microphone to a man described by Guajan as a Mayan community leader, who began reading a lengthy statement in Spanish.
After grousing from some in the audience, officials cut off the microphone.
"People in the audience began to get restless," Chandler said. "At one point, a member of the staff said ... `Ask a question, or leave."'
But Gibson told university officials to turn the microphone back on and Estrada then began to translate.
The statement denounced the film as a distortion of Mayan history. Officials said that when it became clear Estrada would not be asking questions related to filmmaking or the film, they called security to escort her out.
Guajan said about half the audience applauded when the pair was escorted out by an armed security guard.
It was then that Gibson, his face red, uttered the expletive. And then he fired a parting shot: "Make your own movie!"
"He was feeling frustrated; there was no other intellectual discussion," said John Schultheiss, chairman of the department of Cinema and Television Art, which organized the session.
"That was his way of summing up: `Gosh, if you aren't happy with the way an idea is presented to you, then you should present it yourself."'
(818) 713-3741

Comment from Navajo filmmaker Arlene Bowman, living in Vancouver BC:

"I am a Dine' indigenous filmmaker and I viewed the Apocolypto. I attended UCLA and received my MFA from there in 86. The film was a very racist and violent depiction of the Mayan culture and people: a turn off. Very few dramas, comedies, animations get WRITTEN/PRODUCED/DIRECTED BY INDIGENOUS FILMMAKERS ANYHOW in these CONTEMPORARY TIMES IN HOLLYWOOD. Oh yeah, there are indigenous filmmakers out there in the Americas. When a person like Estrada and the Mayan community express an opposite/true point of view than what mainstream non-indigenous people want to believe about indigenous people, the systematic stereotypes and sexism that continues, it gets trashed and censored especially from a female like the one at that student filmmaker's screening at California State at Northridge in LA from people like Gibson and his publicists. At that student film screening with filmmaker present with question and answer, that is the last place where film students will ever again get to hear various critiques about a produced film. After that the conservative, mainstream movie thinking dictates what can be heard just like what happened at the question/answer with the film students and Gibson. Actually it's kind of sad that the mainstream public, his publicists and Gibson are uneducated and uninformed about what really happens and goes about Mayan people and the other indigenous peoples in the Americas. Yes, positive things happen, but still there's a lot of oppression against the Mayans and many indigenous peoples to resolve and make change for: a low intensity war that goes on in Chiapas, radioactive materials scattered and left there to clean up from private companies that mined uranium in various areas of the Navajo Reservation and other conflicts to fix throughout the whole of the Americas. Estrada has a lot of courage to express her displeasure in how the mainstream cinema treats topics like Apocolypto in this day and age. That's why as indigenous people and other people who understand indigenous values, culture and language, we rightfully have the right to write/direct/produce dramas/comedies/music videos/animation other types of works to express our own stories and to make these comments whether it is liked or not. That's what it's about. Why do you think Spike Lee, an Afro-American filmmaker and an Iranian female filmmaker Samira Makhmalbat directed and wrote their own feature films. The mainstream public, most of the people who wrote these anti Estrada comments and Gibson do not get it about the issues that concern people of color, especially in the United States, Canada and Mexico where hardly anyone knows much about the First Nations who live there and else where such as the Mayans. I know so.

Posted by brendanorrell@gmail.com at 10:11 AM

Taos Mountain New mexico

2007-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite places in the world. Taos ! The mountain changes color constantly in the light and these photos were taken of her over a couple of hours. The end of winter and still some snow on the top.

youth allies Sante Fe Mountain center

2007-03-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here is a great project in Sante Fe New Mexico called "Youth Allies". I had the great fortune to work with this group fo exceptional young people at the Sante Fe mountain center. This group has been meeting for months and works together across race and gender and demographics withing their communties to bring leadership and vision . I was so inspired and moved by their strength , warmth care and respect. With youth like this the world has hope. Many of the youth came from Indigenous communties in the area. Another exctiting project is called
" emergence" , which works with 11 Pueblo groups in the area and does a similar thing. The work they do also is about leadership and also addressing with the youth and communties the issues of "historical trauma" and the legacies of settlement. Very well run and out together with a dedicated team . The day I spent with the group we did a lot fo outdoor training and team building using ropes and climbing and I shared the skills of digital storytelling and we made a small story as an example. The group now is collecting photos for a larger exhibition and hopefull will make a story to send me to share when home with youth in Australia. I remain excited at the potential of this method and the joy I see in people as they make their stories.

Photos are of some of the young people on this day.

For more inof on the Sante Mt center go to :http://www.sf-mc.com/

SFMC Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Santa Fe Mountain Center
PO Box 449
Tesuque, NM 87574

Phone: (505) 983-6158
Fax: (505) 983-0460
Email: info@santafemc.org

earth hour - worldwide opportunity to help our planet

2007-03-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

blog lost in cyber land

2007-03-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

Just to let you all know. I just wrote a new update. Took me over an hour and its lost. As are half the photos. So they have come up as if they are part of the Arizona log. Sorry , I will try correct this soon and update on what these pics are of and put it in order. Blog has gone to a new site and format , so it has a few issues right now to be ironed out. I am however in SF now . These pics are of Jamacia.. and I will try regroup and tell you all about that adventure . The people and history, the fill you in on a wonderful and exciting project in New mexico with "Youth Allies" and then bring you up to date with my work and the course I have just taught here in San Fran. Always a bit behind here as things move so fast and there is always more to tell you than I have time for . anyway !!

So come back soon .

Journeys south- youth allies and more

2007-03-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Tucson- meetings with remarkable people

2007-02-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from my last days in Arizona. The group shot is of a wonderful evening gathering with fine food and good company at my friend Joy Graves home. The gathering is of people who all are involved in Indigenous health and education and who I have come to know and share with deeply.
We watched a couple of films and then discussed various issues we all face in communities. The films were a good jumping off place into some hot topics. Again and again the issues of trauma arise , the main thing here is the feeling that the issues for Indigenous people here are not even really in the general awareness of most folks and not really much on the national agenda. It would seem in some ways that in Australia we have at least some profile in the public eye and some support through allies in various areas. The issue of removals and abuse in residential schools and the policies relating to these issues is something people feel is in need of more attention here. By showing films and the sharing these things , I feel it is helping us all become clearer about these issues.

The other topics are the near total lack of any kind of adequate health care . This is a national issue across the board. However in the treaties made with Indian people, this was meant to be something that would be provided for Native / Indian tribes and is not really adequate or effective at all. The people I have spoken with call it a basic " life and limb policy" and it means just this. People need to be facing death or disablement to really get assistance and thus the heath situation for people is dire. Many I spoke to had stories of family memebers dying or being very ill and not being able to get help in time . Many suffer as we do at home from high rates of diabetes and though programs try and address this it is still an issue that for the people suffering feels desperate.

I leave Arizona with many good memories and wonderful heartfelt connections , with the hope of future ongoing projects. There is so much to be done and maybe together we can do it.

Tucson - research and Digital stories

2007-01-28T12:11:00.000-08:00

A while now since I have been able to post. I have been in Tucson again after a wonderful and busy time in NY city and at the University there. I have met and continue to meet such good people doing projects that are inspiring. Sharing about life at home , issues on Law , arts , Land , health , survival.

I have been out a few times in the sonoran desert. Some rare photos of SNOW on cactus. This is not usual in town , But perhaphs due to climate changes this year here it is. It was just in town like this for 2 days. I awoke one morning and all was white and so beautiful.In the photos I am in it with my friend Brenda who woke me and we drove into the desert park and took some photos.

The other photos are from a couple days before, you can see its dry and no snow. I went with other friends that day and we hiked along a canyon with water and saw many small birds that are native to this area.

Meanwhile ,I have been meeting with people here about setting up a research collaboration for the future possiblity of a conference on ' HISTORICAL and Inter-generational trauma " There is a huge need for this and we are hoping to bring together people working in this field and academics who work with Indigenous community and share our stories and identify what is needed as a group. I am hopeful for this to lead to a similar process when home in Australia.

We have also been meeting and sharing about DIGITAL stories and I have met many people wishing to develop skills and return this to communities to support projects and to be used as an intervention. I am hopeful that these meetings will also lead to projects developing across disiplines and that links as a community of people working together in this area can be made and continue. Funding of course will need to be found, however the need and desire is there and I am more and more convinced of this direction as a powerful tool for Indigenous people.There is so much potential. I have been presenting and sharing with various groups, stories ,films and discussing issues here with regards to Health, soverignty and land, as best I can. Many issues are the same or simliar here as at home , though they may seem different in how they manifest and how policy has played out here.

I have been gathering some great films on these topics and this will be good to share with people once home so people can see for themselves. I am also collecting some footage myself and still hope to eventually edit this and have a small film to share as well as Digital stories.

Here are some photos of the day at the Bordon Primary school.

On Australia day ( Survival day ). I was invited to come to a local Primary school and share about home and Aboriginal culture and Australia in General. It was a wonderful day , the kids were so excited and loved the music and stories we shared and also the food we made for them to try ( no not kangaroo ) but vegimite and pavolva and sausage rolls ( made by my friend Jennie Mullins an x-pat Aussie ).

The children had made paintings on bark the day before and also we painted up to make a promise to take care of things well and to be grateful for the morning when we wake and to take care of all our relations animal and human. it was symbolic and meaningful to the children to particpate. They may make a digital story for me to bring back ( a digital letter ) to share with kids back home and make a sharing this way between our kids at home and The kids here. I hope to do this when home and it is this and other meetings Across the country which I hope will create this network to share our stories and lives.

thanksgiving Journey New mexico

2006-12-26T14:01:00.000-08:00

I am in Portland now for Xmas .Iam always behind on this blog. IT is so dependent on time and acess to internet and space to reflect. I still have so much I want to write about , expecially about my time in NYC ,about the Native American film festival and also about developments in Mexico in Oaxaca.
There is always more to write than is possible as things are moving very fast for me. I have made great connections with many Indian people and groups here and trust this will develop as we find real ways to work together at a community level. Especially in the area of digital story telling and its use as tool of health intervention , something I am even more convinced is real and is defintely showing promise for use in addressing health disparties. I am excited about the research I am doing and what I am finding and the community of storytellers here working in the same way is inspiring me.

I am happy about working with a wonderful woman( BK ),Brenda Manuelito and hopefully with a group out of UA (University of Arizona ). We are looking at developing this as a research project as well as the forming of a roundtable to meet and talk about "Historical trauma " in our communties and countries.This is about finding solutiuons, not more problems. This gives me hope.

I have people still to meet with in Seattle , "Native voices" a wonderful grassroots film youth organisation who I met in NYC and whose work is very impressive and also the folks from the Bridges site also in Seattle. This is to further the idea of setting up a website for us to launch the digital stories and create avenues of communication directly between Indigenous Australian and Native American " Indian " Youth and communties .I am KEEN to foster discussion , curriculum and cultural exchange. I would love anyone who reads this who thinks they can help or point ME TO FUNDERS and philanthropic types , yes please ! I need this .

I also would like to start hearing in the (posting message section on here),from anyone interested in this topic who wants to start contributing so we can get a discussion happening . Also anyone who wants to be involved and is serious , please do contact me. I will attempt to write more on this all soon.

Right now I am back to writing , I have a short course elective I am offering in SF in March and preparing for this , it is on "Terra Nullius , sovereignty and governance" and I am focusing on the issues around "Mabo" and Native title and the "stolen generation", reports and the outcomes and impacts in relation to the topic of 'Historical trauma and Intergenerational trauma ",policy impacts and so on. So I am absorbed in this right now , reading a zillion articles and books and making notes. I am in Portland as I needed to be somewhere for xmas and somewhere I could work and also its a good excuse to visit my friend Peter ! ( for those who know me and peter Irving , HE SAYS hello ).

These Photos ARE NOT about any of this , sorry of that is confusing , but they are of my thanksgiving trip to NEW Mexcio to the Pecos wilderness and then to TESQUE , outside of Sante Fe .I flew for a quick 5 days over thanksgiving from NYC , to see my old dear friend Dee. So these are pics of Dee and her husband Charlie Miner
( glass works )home and environs in the Pecos wilderness and then some pics of murals and graffiti in Sante Fe. I love New Mexico.

ok , more soon ,

be well enjoy the new year .
samia

More in New york

2006-12-13T15:49:00.000-08:00

This is another back track.Here are Some pics of the Brooklyn bridge and my dear friend Anna Cadden (who took the bridge pics). We walked over and the view was amazing. The city is wonderful and I love New York and it has been kind to me and very alive.Before I left for NY people kept saying to me why would I go? " there are no Indians there! ". How untrue and wrong this is and insulting to the people there.

There is a large community of Mohawk who were always there . They are still there and actually also many Indian people from elsewhere were moved there as part of the relocation programs that the govt had here.Many of the Mohawk worked on the high rise in the steel industry and built the buildings in NY and still work there.

My time at NYU was fantastic and I learnt such a lot . I was so cared for and was exposed to many people from all kinds of diverse backgrounds working with Indigenous people here and in Canada and in South America. The Media , History and Culture department in the Anthro dept is one of the best for sure . The focus in Indigenous media and alternative media is deep and rich and I was truly fortunate to spend time there and am very inspired. I made a number of presentations and had many interesting and positive meetings with others working in the area of media, healing and Indigenous issues.

The photos are of myself with Fred Meyers and Faye Ginsburg who head up the department and truly foster a wonderful atmosphere of Collegiality and kindness. I was also fortunate to attend to Film festivals whilst there , the Mead Festival
( mentioned earlier ) and then more recently the "Native American Film festival" This event was the most inspiring and incredible event and the organisers and selctors deserve high praise. I will write more on this soon as there is much to communicate on this and the directions of issues as seen in the films across the America's. If you want to see more though , just google for it and have a look at the program.

On another note , I would like to also let you know that Much of the academic work and the findings of my journey will not necessarily be something I go into big details about here in this blog. It would take too much time and I need to use that time to actually do the writing and research and work needed at this time. I will mention some things , but the rest will be something that will come later. I have been asked to say more about my work and will do this as an update soon , but not in great depth. I will say though , that I am totally inspired and that some wonderful outcomes are emerging for my work. I am also currently involved in setting up a roundtable with other academics to create a international conference on " Historical and Intergenerational Trauma" as well as further joint research. I have met many Indian people and communties and shared a lot and am very touched by the sharings we are having .

Ok , more soon. be well and enjoy this update.

Twin towers 9/11 New York

2006-12-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

This is a big back track. Only now am I able to update and a good 4 weeks has passed since I could. These photos are taken from where the world Trade center was. The feeling there is sad and very moving as you can imagine. The photos are from a small church near by .This church became the place that volunteers and workers slept and sought solace as they tried to help. The stories and the feelings were overwhelming and heartbreaking. It was a terrible thing and yet the human resilience and the heart of people coming together in unity to help each other was incredibly inspiring and moving. These things are happening all around our world to many people.To be here though and see and feel this makes it real and I felt nothing but compassion for peoples loss. Ordinary people , just like you and me , who that day were caught in something terrible.

more in NYU

2006-11-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

Rain in New York! I went to a lecture at Columbia University ( a few subways away ). Joesph P. Gone was speaking on "Keeping Culture in Mind." This was about the "Prospects and pitfalls of Therapeutic Integration in a Canadian First Nation Treatment Center". I found the presentation very affirming for my own work and was inspired to feel I am travelling in the right directions in my thinking on this issue. Proffessor Gone has a few books out, which you can google.

Yesterday I gave another presentation on the topic of "Health , Human Rights and Community development" at NYU in the Culture , Media and History department. It was well recived and afterward I had great conversations with some of the people who came.

Faye Ginsburg and Fred Meyers are amazing people and they have really put a huge effort over the years to shaping this department . I am touched to find academics who genuinely care and who do so well mentoring their students to a high level. I have been so impressed and feel very at home here and supported. The work coming out of this department is very inspiring and creative and I will be sad to leave such a rich affirming environment. Fred and Faye have had a long association over the years with Australians and have helped and shared deeply with Indigenous people , here and In Australia and also in other parts of the world .The diversity is wonderful to be around. New York is wonderful this way !
I met so many people doing projects that move me deeply, across such a huge range of areas. I have learnt so much. I am sure to return to NY , well , I hope in some future time.
Tonight I am attending the opening of the "Margaret Mead film and video festival" www.amnh.org/mead and have been able to be involved in the screenings of a number of works in progress and documentaries from here and overseas . films from Indonesia , India , films on Disabilties and films made by Indigenous people, here in the USA and from Canada , south and central America .

My most current film is nearly finalised with the editing help of my good friend Paul Tait. It is a film about the wonderful Rhoda Roberts who inspired and visioned the " dreaming" festival in Australia. www.thedreamingfestival.com I am excited to have this come together in time to be screened perhaphs in Australia in Decemeber ( even though I will be here ). Wish I had more days and more hours in every day , so much to do and accomplish.
People here are also very excited about Digital stories and the narrative approach in working to address health issues and Trauma. I expect over xmas and the new year besides finally having some down time , to relax and not be so busy , that I will enjoy having time to gather some of my thoughts and write and refect on what has been a very active and busy ( nearly 4 mths already) in the USA.

The big news thought today , Is the elections. It seems the Democratic party here has had huge success and that things are going to change here. Time will tell . There is a clear message though that can not be denied , which is that the majority of people in the USA, wish for a dramatic change in relation to the war in Iraq. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

I am off to teach and share at Bronx Community college next week and other than this doing some writing and preparing to move on again.

A few more pictures of NYC

2006-11-04T12:14:00.000-08:00

Central Park

Brooklyn Bridge
( walked at night)

Subway

resident cat
(pete from Bombay)

Local street and
more of the park.

central Park NYC

2006-11-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

New york

2006-11-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

I Have not had much time to update MY BLOG and some problems downloading the pics. I have some great ones , so will try again soon. I have been as usual very busy with lectures and meetings. Anna Cadden ( My dear friend ),who works for Warlpiri Indigenous Australian media and wo has just finished shooting" Aboriginal Rules" , a new doco drama you can look for on ABC tv In the future. ( you can google and have a look ), was here and we gave a presentation together to NYU.
The presentation was called " shifting the focus "( New perspectives in Indigenous Australian media). It went very well and it was interesting to look at issues and compare with desert and remote communities and east coast communities in Australia and from our perspectives. We looked specifically at the use of media in a health context and I spoke about using digital stories as a more accessible and empowering process for people to tell stories in first person. Anna shared about the work of Warlpiri and future directions.

I am now preparing for another presentation for NYU on 'Human Rights , health and community "on the 7th November. I am looking forward to this and the discussion after.
I Have met many people here and attended a number of events. The national Museum of American Indians in NYC, is wonderful and met some great folks there. They are busy preparing for the "Native American Film festival ",( Also worth a Google), it happens every 3 years. Unfortunately I will miss it , but have the inside on a lot of great films now to try find and watch later. I was interested to hear that Australian Indigenous film is considered very highly and as being very advanced. We can be proud!!! thanks to a lot of hard work by many before us.

We had lunch with a woman from Chile , Amalia , who works with the spanish speaking indigenous films and we spoke about touring some in Australia. Again we found that issues are similar for Indigenous people the world over in terms of health , governance , borders , power , identity and impacts of colonisation. ( so it seems and not a surprise )....It is inspiring to meet so many passionate and creative people trying to bring change .
Getting stories out there is part of the solution, in our voices, the other part is connecting and sharing and being allies for each other.

Had a tour of the metro art gallery and met a wonderful woman, lesley who works with Indigenous Art there. There is a real community of people here interested and connected to home. AMAZING ! but then everything is in NEW YORK.

I have just come back now from the VA film festival in Charlottesville Virginia . The festival theme , was " Radiance , God at the Movies ". I was invited to LAUNCH the Wonderful film " Ten Canoes" courtesy of the University and the " Kluge Ruhe" ( www.virginia.edu/kluge-ruhe) collections that are housed there.
This is one of the largest and most significant collections of Central desert and northern Australian art in the world( outside of Australia) and it was amazing to be there. Margo Smith our host was so kind and we were looked after with great care.
' Ten Canoes " is shot in remote northern Australia in central Arnhem land.You can have a look at the web site on this to find out more . It is a wonderful film again google "Ten Canoes " and go see it of it comes your way. Alos the new " making of Ten canoes".
I was honored to be asked to be there, to do this . The film is rare film, in that it was made very collectively and with much respect to culture and kinship and with an all Aboriginal cast .

The response was a full house and people LOVED IT. I sat on a panel afterwards and did my best to answer questions and try give the feeling of issues at home and life and the importance of community healing and film/. I was asked about how I found coming to the USA in regards to how I see things here for American Indian people. I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak to this. I do feel that we have so much in common , the good and the hard . The issues are so similar and so I shared some observations and stories. one thing I shared was how in coming to the east coast here , people kept asking me " why ?" as " there are NO indians there "!!! which is not true at all and I was so shocked to hear .The truth is that just like the East coast at home , this coast was also colonised first and so the impact of settlement and the resultant policies of removal etc, have led to Indians here being invisible and not counted by a lot of people as they may not match the John wayne , buffalo bill idea of an Indian.

I have also made some wonderful connections with other academics and Indian( I am saying Indian , as here people seem to prefer this term and not the more used reference as ' native american).
I have met many wonderful local Indian Film makers and met with people working also in the area of trying to address " historical Trauma " . It is a rich conversation and my work is developing well. I will have much to share and write up once home.

ok , that is a bit of news , there is so much more, Ican only give a brief outline here , but enough so you can feel what I am up to. Now I will go try load some pics in the next blog.
take care.

central Park NYC

2006-10-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

This is a day in Central Park , just walking you see so much. The park is a god send and the trees a blessing. These are the first trees I have seen in 3 weeks. I was craving green . On our magical mystery tour,we came across a group of dancers and performers from mainland China. These Children were incredible ,the proffessionalism and talent was incredible. There was a dance group of young girls who were stunning and beautiful to watch and then a group of shaolin kung Fu , both boys and girls. This was exceptional,the whole audience was moved by their absolute brilliant performance and level of skill . I had never seen live anything even remotely close to their level. This coming from an Aikidoist .... I can only imagine the hours and hours of very strict training to acheive such results!

Further along , just wandering through " strawberry fields"( a section of the park), where the the John Lennon memorial is , we came across a large group of people singing old beatles songs and realised it was a special gathering for John Lennon's birthday. It Looked to us to be Julian lennon leading things,so I am guessing it is. Sure looks like him. The mood was quite sweet and moving , singing " imagine " and people really meaning it.

So , this is a day in central park and as you can see , it really is true that the best things in life are unexpected and FREE.

Fulbright dinner in NY city

2006-10-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here is the Fully bright crew , the wonderful Australian Fulbrights. This is just a few of us who made the journey to reconnect and be together in NY city. The other half is off to meet in LA. We had a wonderful night at the Australian Consulate meeting some of the American current and past Fulbrights who has vsisted Australia .

It was great to see everyone. It was the first time since Australia some 6 mths ago, at the awards ceremony , since we had connected like this. Lyndell Wilson and Mark Darby from the Australian Fulbright commission flew in to join us and get us all together.Their support from home is so appreciated.Everyone is doing fine, settling in to their various new homes and universities, some even have new loves,
(Sophie with her new man )... and the night was filled with music and celebration into the small wee hours.

washington DC

2006-10-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Seems I am always going to be a little behind in posting. Such is my schedule. I arrived in NY city on the 24th of September and have settled into Brooklyn , which is wonderful. The people here are among the friendliest I have every come across and very helpful and kind. I was a little ill , I think mainly just tired, so I took a few days to settle and explore the city and find my way on the Subway to NYU. Then it was off to DC , WHICH BELEIVE ME , working out how to catch all those connecting trains and deal with the busiest train station in the universe was a bit daunting.

I did just fine and actually treated the whole experince as another adventure,which it was. I find all the people I meet along the way , from the homeless guy I spoke for half an hour at the station about the history of the city , or the national guard man I spoke to whilst waiting for a train , or the porter who helped me and made great jokes , all of these people teach me something .
These pictures are of those few days , of Union station ( with its great gracious buildings and statues ), of the capital , of the wonderful American Inidan museum at the Smithsonian. ( The curved building and the one of me sitting in front of the water feature). The museum was so interesting and well thought out.I could have spent days there ,I only barely took in one section. It is very alive and very beautiful and there was obviously a great deal of consultation with various communties and this is evident. Well worth a visit , my only regret,not enough time. The whole Smithsonian area is massive and made up of many museums , somewhere I hope to visit again.

Then off to a very wonderful day of adventures on the river and seeing the sites , which are many , DC is VERY INTERESTING and I wondered if in the future , say in 100 years Canberra may one day feel as cosmopolitan.The two cities felt very similar to me and DC Like Canberra came about in a similar way, as a planned capital. Later that evening Claire ,( a fellow Fulbrighter) and I attended a wonderful dinner at the Australian Ambassadors home with 20 other people.Mostly connected to the Fulbright or the diplomatic mission. We met Mrs. Harriet Fulbright and also the New American Ambassador to Australia. Everyone who was there was very engaging and gracious. I could have stayed all night in conversation. The food and wine were of course wonderful.It was a real honor to be there and to especially meet Mrs. Fulbright, who is a remarkable person. We received a DVD that she had just finsihed after ten years in the making , about her Husbands life and work.It is wonderful to have this and be able to shareit with people.He also was a truly remarkable man with a great vision. I am very impressed with the sincerity to being people the world over together with a vision for peace and understanding.
Next day , the long trip home.... and next post will be about NY.

weekend over the border/Mexico

2006-10-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

A quick trip with the girls over the border for Mexican Independence day , which happended to be on a weekend just before I was ready to leave ARIZONA. These are some pics of the ocean and 2 of the crew in the water , Lu , whose birthday it was and the main reason we went ( to celebrate ), and Amy.
The place is called " rocky Point ",on the sea of Cortez.The rocks are everywhere in the water. The tide runs 12 ft and so on high tide it is totally fine to get in and out , but on Low tide its a task, wading and crawling over exposed rocks.

The trip opened my eyes further to the sadness of the border issue here and the starkness of poverty on one side and affulence on the other. This is considered the playgorund of Phoenix Arizona and Texas. The whole town grew up around tourists and trailers and cheap bars. Now people cashing in on the boom of hotels and quick $ from the tourist. Just as in Bali , people stroll the beach hawking goods , buy a small wristband , have your hair done in a plait or maybe a fake tatoo. Kids on the alleys selling candy and begging for handouts to feed empty tummies. It was harsh.

On The way back we passed maybe 12 border patrols , We also heard stories that curled our hair about people being shot, true or not ,it highlights how serious this issue is on both sides. We passed a Orphanage close to the border .
Once home I found out that a friend who works at the University visits there and helps out and takes gifts for the kids.We have talked and I am keen to get involved.

It will be a way to do something directly. We are going to set up a project and gather people to sponsor the kids and also hopefully create projects for them that help change some of their circumstances. More on this soon.IF YOU are interested, let me know and once we have it organised we can send you information.

The rest of the shots are of where we stayed. I even learnt a little spanish. The local people were all so kind and patient and loved that we all tried to speak in their language and not always in ENGLISH.

sharing culture and vist to Tohono O'odham

2006-09-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

am weeks behind on posts as I am now in NY.I just have been so busy , this is the first chance I have had to update! Here is a quick update of time since the Grand canyon.I can not possibly include everything , but I hope this gives a feel.
Deidre and I came back and held a wonderful day workshop on some of the ways of using narrative in healing work with trauma stories, specifically in an Indigenous context. The day was well attended and the people who came were all wonderful. It was a deep experience for us all.
The workshop was filmed by the folks at UA, from "ArizonaNativeNet.com", so at some point the whole thing will be online along with study notes and references. The folks , Lu,Anne and Claudia from Arizona Native Net, have started a wonderful project. It will be a good resource for anyone interested in Indigenous issues across all areas. Go have a look !
Deidre Left the next day( FOR Australia), and then I went on to offer a few more talks and sharings:One on " cyber E learning and digital story ",and then an evening of films. The films I screened were " Yella Fella" , "Green Bush " and the " US Deadly MOB".
The first two films were courtesy of Caama Films ( Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association ).The last was a short I made with my friends whose story it is
( Val Saunders and James and Amber Mercy ). After we had plenty of time for questions. It was a fantastic night and I gathered comments as well as some interveiws with folks as to their reactions.Everyone LOVED the films.

People are very interested in Australia and Indigenous Australian stories here. I am also struck again and again by our shared experiences and also the layers of issues. These of course are things I will go into more depth in my actual thesis work and will be sharing when I return.

I also met with the folks from the " Global Health Alliance network " through Public Health.Again very inspiring and dedicated people, including a wonderful woman who is the director , MS Brenda Manuelita. These folks specifically try and work with the issues of "Health disparities" in various communities , such as the Navajo (north of Tucson) and the people caught in the border issues with Mexico and USA( to the south).
I was very impressed with the program they have.I was also pleased to see the idea of using digital story as a tool in community health projects is something being embraced here.Thus we had many conversations about this area of shared interest.

I am very impressed overall with the University of Arizona and would recommend it to anyone . The American Indian studies program is one of ,if not the best in the country! and I felt the same with the public health program and also the Anthropology dept. I am so happy that SCU,( Southern Cross University) , my home university in Lismore is forming an official realtionship/ exchange with the UA.
I hope this will lead to richer outcomes and projects where we can work together and learn more about each other and become firm allies .I suspect I have chosen well in my choices of Universities as I am now at NYU and I am feeling this is also one of the most incredible places I could be. The Media , culture and History department under the wonderful guidance of Faye Ginsburg and Fred Meyer is totally inspiring. But , more on this soon!

Another wonderful outcome of my visit to Arizona is becoming involved in a " round table " of national and international researchers and community workers on the topic of " historical Trauma and recovery " and for me this was a highlight of my visit , to feel a positive outcome and possible continued involvement in this area.

Next , we have some photos of my visit to the south , near the border , to Tohono O'odham community college and community. I have just thrown in some general pics of the class and also the logo of the college .Then there is one pic here of me meeting and thanking one of the wonderful Elders I met , Mr Danny Lopez. I was made so welcome here and learnt so much in such a short time. I truly felt at home. I was also shown around the community and the pic with me with camera is at this special site where a wonderful new cultural centre is being realised. The mountain in the background is one special to the community and one of the reasons this site was chosen.
I also met a group of accomplished basket weavers and artists and had wonderful conversations with all I met.
I hope to return one day , as this place and people really touched my heart and the land is so deep and special. The desert so alive.
Ok , that's it for now , as you can see , my life is a whirlwind of action . I am so blessed and this really is only a glimpse.

Grand CANYON

2006-09-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Deidre, my good friend from home( OCEAN SHORES), arrived from Oxaca Mexico to join me here for a week. We had the long ( LABOR DAY ) weekend and a couple xtra days to go for a journey .After the white mountains, we headed north for the Grand Canyon. These pictures can never convey the incredible sight this place is. The word AWESOME, DEFINTELY suits. We spent the day till late at night driving , then walking around the south rim. These few shots are of the furthest point we reached on the south rim. I had been here 25 years ago, so for me it was very special. The tower is incredible and full of paintings and the design inside is really special. AT Sunset we headed to a spot the locals had told us would be quite and not crowded. We had it basically to oursleves and sat and watched the sun set and the sky and rocks and canyon change in color. It truly does touch something in your soul. I hope one day that you can see this place for yoursleves.
later we drove and stopped at the IMAX and watched a movie on the history of the Grand Canyon. It was great to see , but we were disappointed to not see credits or acknowldegement to the local Native/ caretakers of this land , nor any mention of whose country it is on ? such as NAVAJO? Hopi ? We were both puzzled by this.

We drove back to Flagstaff at around 10pm ,very tired and so we managed to become lost again, for a good hour within 5 mins of where we were booked in to stay.Funny, if your not tired ! Flagstaff is a fun place and we enjoyed real coffee and some cooler weather and the locals we met and talked with were wonderful and interested in Australia. The town has a very outdoors feeling, and is also a bit touristy. However it really had a nice feel about it. We Stayed in the cheapest place in town and the owner was a lovely Indian man and we felt very comfortable.We had looked at other places ,more expensive and they were nowhere near as friendly. We were sad this night as we found out Steve Irwin (THE CROCODILE MAN) had died. No matter what you may say about Steve,he certainly lived a vibrant life and defintely cared about animals . It is just a VERY sad thing to die tragically like he did and leave 2 small children and a wife behind. Next stop SEDONNA.

trouble in blog land

2006-09-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hello all ,

Just to let you know, I seem to have some trouble with this layout. I sometimes post and things are fine and I edit everything and then hit the "post tab" , then look and things are not how they should be. I have deleted the last post of the grand canyon and the white mountain info ' text " seemd to then merge . I apologise to you all if this is the case when you go to view. I will try to solve it before my next post. In the meantime , have patience , do your best to follow along. I think the technology is imperfect. Or, It could be me , I admit it. Oh well , always more to learn.

oh and here is picture of a little puppy we rescued. we called her COCO PERRO. isn't she sweet!

White mountain Apache journey

2006-09-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy I have a lot to catch up on ! The days fly and so much happens. I am skipping some of the finer details as this will be the only way to try convey what is happening. I have had a few weeks full of meetings and journeys. I went to the Pasqua Yaqui community, which was a rich time of sharing and very special . I learnt so much and am impressed constantly by all we have in common in terms of Health and community, education and all the good things we share as well as the hard things. I feel inspired.

Then a week of many presentations to various sites on the university and lots of meetings with people engaged in projects across a range of areas , health and law mostly.

Then Deidre arrived from Oxaca and we travelled up to White Mountain Apache reservation to visit friends.The drive was through very special country, valleys and rushing rivers far below . Winding roads led us higher and higher into cooler places with trees and green.The change from the desert to mountains very stark.

These pictures are of our kind hosts who we were heading to visit with for the day, Avelina Gordon, a wonderful mother and Grandmother who made us feel a part of her family.This is how people are here ,very generous and warm.
We had a good go at making fry bread( A bit similar to damper , but fried on the fire in a lot of lard ), and then we feasted all afternoon. I do like that fry bread , especially with honey. Avelina's sisters and some of her daughters and Grand kids came and this was wonderful for us. They had been at a special ceremony that weekend and it was just the end of it .We were in the atmosphere and this was very touching to us.
We headed up the road 20 miles or so later in the night and stayed at the HON-dah Casino , which was the only accomadation available .The celebrations meant it was packed out and all the motels were full.
It was a wild place , teeming with activity. Not only gambling , but also a great show from LA with cool retro blues , Motown and roots music.
We had interesting conversations about the role of the reservation in owning the Casino and the effects on community and what people think if this. It is a very different scene to the gambling scene in Australia and the Casino's have many pro's and Cons it seems. Some good things , some not so good. It would be good to do a comparison study on the various issues arising. Self determnination , economic self management , community health , levels of problem gambling. The role it plays .

We also talked with people that we met from other areas about a whole range of issues and learnt more about the story of the ceremony.I feel I am learning things every day from everyone I meet. The time here is very rich, Arizona has really been so special.
This was just the beginning of our 5 day journey .It was the long weekend for labor day, so it was a busy time to travel. We did ok in the hire car , driving on the wrong side of the road with a very basic map ! testing our patience at times and making a few wrong turns .Next morning we decided to head for FLAGSTAFF and the Grand Canyon.

Gathering and birthday

2006-08-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

A WONDERFUL evening with great people. These are some of the great people I have met at a gathering organised by my host, head of the American Indian study department. That's me on the left and then the woman with the short hair and purple dress is Tsianina, who is the head of the department.The other wonderful women are all successful students celebrating hard work.I am sorry not to know all their names.I just jumped in to get a picture while I could.

The other photo is of my friend Lu and a kind man , Who I met last week.Lu came and picked me up and drove me up to the party.As you can see ,she has a great smile. She is also a film maker and works on a site the university has set up. www.ArizonaNativeNet.com,( I am sure that is it ), which hosts talks and a series of lectures and various activities on the site. Well worth the look.
The house itself is very close to the Catalina Mountains.I found out that the Catalina's are higher than Kosiosko. Must be amazing in the winter with snow.

The photo with the 2 women and man are new students and friends from South DAKOTA. One of the women , kim ,had been to Byron and so that was a great feeling of home being shared. People from south Dakota seem to talk slow enough for me to understand more easily than most American's.I adopted them as they felt like Australian's and we really got on well.

The night was special , lots of rich conversation and connections . I was surprised by a birthday cake and gift( it was my birthday).How very sweet.
I was so surprised in fact that,I could hardly speak.I am very moved by the generous spirit here .How warmly I have been welcomed. How wise and real people are, and the feeling that learning and knowledge are strong .
It was a wonderful evening.

glimpses of home -

2006-08-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots of life at homein Australia. The ocean , with friends James and Amber about to go for a surf. We do have the best surf and I miss it. My little studio at Ocean shores, on the deck. I had to pack up before I made this trip and let it go , as I just rent.It was a sweet home.
Then a pic of me with my darling dog Tara, a 5 year old kelpie / shephard cross whom I rescued from the dog pound(prison ).She was on death row the day I got her, when she was 9 mths old and we have never looked back ! SHE IS my family. I love her heaps and she is now having a fun farm holiday with my friend Susan. Just wanted to back track and put these up , as a few folks wanted to see how my dog looks.What the ocean looks like , so , THIS IS FOR YOU EDDIE !!!

FULL DAYS in Arizona

2006-08-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Have been so busy , running around meeting all sorts of wonderful people. I have been meeting people involved in human rights, health and wellness and so much more. I am presenting a film evening here in Tucson on the 13th Septempber and will be screening films , courtesy of CAAMA,( Central Australian media Asssocaition ) and Warlpiri media( also from Central Australia), at the university of Arizona. I will post more on this after the event. I am so happy to be able to show films from home by our fantastic talented mob.I am sure we will have great feedback.

I am also running a workshop focusing on "The use of Narrative and creative processes that are being used in developing wellness projects for/with/ Indigenous people."
There has been a huge repsonse and I only wish we had a larger room to offer it in. I am offering this with my good friend Deidre Ikin. Deidre will talk specifically about "Narrative Therapy",( as developed by Michael white ). She is joining me here after spending 3 weeks in Oxaca Mexico at an international training conference. I had an email just now and there is a lot of unrest there and gunshots and so of course this is worrying.I heard it started from some issue of underpaid workers/teachers.I don't know much .

I am so excited Deidre is coming.Whilst she is here, we will have such a busy schedule yet also be travelling some. We plan to hire a car for a few days and head north to Sedonna and the Grande Canyon,( stay tuned ).I will be glad to have a small break.

These photos are of my latest adventures. I had to include one of my sexy foot , I have injured. I had my first hand experience with the USA health system. LET me tell all you Australian's reading this ,I am grateful for what we have! The system here is so complex its crazy!It is so hard to even work out who you can go to , never mind the 8 hours you then have to wait to actually see the Dr.

ANYWAY , none of this is slowing me too much. Though maybe its meant to ? I still have been able to do things. I went to a great blues and roots , bluegrass bar. Listened to the music of Greg Morton and his friends . He is the partner of a woman( Debbie ), who works at the American Indian studies department. I met more of the staff that evening. The staff in this department are all really wonderful and very rich in knowledge and willing to share. I am fortunate to be here.

The bikers were some sweet local guys with very kewl Harley's.The bikes were so perfect ! I would have loved a ride if they had offered !

I then spent the day with some wonderful hosts from the PASQUA Yaqui community. Aleena and Christina. This has been a high light so far. These women are so generous in spirit and so helpful and made me feel so welcome.It was wonderful to meet locals.Truly hospitality at its the best. They both work on Health and wellness and education projects for their community and thus organised for me to go out with them for the day .
We left early and headed for the Pasqua Yaqui community in the south and close to the border.I met with a working group who are in the early stages of setting up a digital story project.
I was able to share with them some work in Australia and stories and ideas. I showed them some great sites from home , one is especially good " US MOB " Which is hosted by ABC message stick. Developed by David Vadeviloo with community, in the Northern territory.
( google and have a look).

I then went to talk for an hour or so with the high school students.The Pasqua Yaqui, have their own HIGH SCHOOL. It was wonderful to see and feel the excitement of this. There was about 100 students maybe more ? The students were very interested in Australia. They all wanted to know if I ate KANGAROOS and if it tasted like chicken and if koala bears were big. I had eaten Alligator the night before , so I commented that it had tasted like chicken , everyone had a good laugh.
It was a great sharing time. I learnt a lot about the school system and how things work.Also how we have similar cultures and stories and ways. The retention rates are great ! so something is working. I was told before the school started the drop out rates were a problem. The school has only been here for 2 years and signals a complete turn around. I am very curious about this. As there is a lot of debate at home comcerning " 2 way education " and mainstreaming.

Later we went to meet with an advisory committee of about 30 people, who are meeting to set up projects that incorporate the use of story and narrative and creative processes to promote wellness.I shared about my work and ideas and showed a few digital stories and answered a lot of questions.It is inspiring for me as I feel my research area is on track with what is current for people on the ground in communties.It was very rich and I feel the conversation will continue.

The photo with the trees and courtyard is where a lot of the services to the community are located,I was very impressed. I took this photo of a very beautiful cacti in flower ! The abundance of cacti of all types is astounding and reminds me of Fitzgerald National park, In Western Australia. I was there one year and climbed the peak of a mountain in the park and the variety of banksia that I saw was incredible.It was at the right time of year during the height of flowering season.
The community also has a very successful alternative health program. Also a project to revitalise native produce/ plants / through garden projects. I am here such a short time and could learn so much more.

The other pictures are of the church here that is famous, St Xavier church. It dates from the 1690's and was part of a whole group of missions built at that time across this area. Part of the mission push to take control in a non military way. There is a whole system that spreads out from here.

Like many buildings here it is made in the traditional mud,adobe and is currently under renovations.I did not take a photo from outside due to the renovations as it was wrapped in cloth. INSIDE is truly incredible, and the pics do not do it justice. The thing that struck me , was how physical the religion here is for people. The clothing on Jesus and the saints.The candles in all the nooks with prayers and wishes and offerings everywhere.The blending of what was here before the waves of settlements and conquest merged with the Christian traditions.
Also the saints often have rows of old and new photos of loved ones beneath them.I found this actually very moving. There was one section with many soldiers pictures, all so young and earnest.I felt the atmosphere was very alive with the smells of the candles and the cloth and peoples hopes and dreams.

The other photo is of a smaller chapel on the way back. This stood out to me, as it was right next to the freeway.Then signs next to it announcing a casino. It seemed so at odds! So much a statement of the cultural juxtapositions and clashes,contested veiws. At the same time everything seems to merge here at the border, like a salsa stew.

Further down the road there are signs saying " stop the invasion NOW .Not a reference to wars in Iraq! This I was told is a reference to the crossing of "undocumented workers " or "illegal aliens". We were only half an hour to the border this day.

I am constantly reminded of this issue and the complexities and the emotions it evokes for everyone here. The mix of histories,stories and cultures ,old and new. The history of repeated conquests and land grabs and religion and culture is layer apon layer.

SO , I am very busy and more could be said , but this will do for now. MORE SOON.

Morning walks

2006-08-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Just a few more pictures of the local environment. These are all places I pass on my morning walk in the neighbourhood. The mountains are in the north, called the Catalina.
It was hard to get a clear photo of from here. I will try again soon.
They are really beautiful and tower above everything. The cactus is a native to this area and is called a sonora cactus , although I think it has another name . It looks like the kind they based "road runner" comics on, remember those, with the coyote !The other spikey one is what Tequila is made from !

My Office is now set up and I am preparing some presentations to offer in the American Indian department. I am excited to be able to share some films and also informtion about Australia in general. Specifically, I will be focusing on Aboriginal issues at home and particularly in reference to my work and research.

I am finally able to find my way around town a bit better and yesterday spent the day in the biggest book store I have ever seen. There is a wonderful muesum here as well and a rich collection of historical resources. Tucson is home to one of the largest American Indian collections in North America outside of the Smithsonian in Washington DC. I am planning a day to go explore Museums and galleries.

The weather here is monsoonal this time of year , really a lot like Darwin( Nth Australia ), in the middle of summer. It is very hot and humid now. In the afternoon it is common to experience flash floods and lots of lightening. The storms are fantastic to watch , but you don't want to get caught on a bike, ( which I was yesterday! ). I arrived back soaking wet and a little scared as well.

Things are going well , after a few glitches and getting lost . These things are expected in a move like this . I am meeting many wonderful people now. I have met people from all over the world and Tucson is a very multi cultural town. The focus on refugees and especially cross border issues , is one thing I am coming across everywhere here . I am going to try find a disk on learning spanish and find some local literature to learn more. On Saturday I have been invited to attend a performance by the" Refugee all stars ", a band from Sierra Leone. There is also a wonderful documentary about them that I hope to see.

Jackie ,One of the other Fulbrights I met in Australia arrived. We have spoken and plan to catch up soon. It was great and a little odd to hear an ozzie accent. I think I am already speaking American !

On the way to the University

2006-08-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

"humanitarian aid is never a crime "Today at the university I ran into a woman from Brisbane Australia in STA travel. She told me this story .
Many Mexican's try and cross the desert here Illegally. Due to the heat and conditions , many never make it and DIE!!! Recently 2 Locals drove into the desert area on the USA side. They found 2 people lying in the sand , near unconscious and very weak. They helped them into the car and took them into Tuscon to the nearest medical center( hospital ).At the Hospital they were all arrested and now the Americans face a 15 years sentencein prison for helping the illegals.It is a huge issue here and is a issue debated in the Senate right now.
The woman I spoke with has made a documentary about this and I will find out more about thisand the title of her film. I hope to meet again and get a copy . She works with the university to show films and was interested in the films I have on loan from CAAMA and Walpiri Media ( central Australia Aboriginal Films ).
Anyway , now I understand the context better for these signs. They are literally on every block in peoples yards .

I also pass this adobe, (Mud, painted white )house everyday walking the dogs. It is stunning and this is just one small aspect of it . It is apparantly very old and famous , but as yet I do not know the actual story.I intend to find out .

The other couple of pics are of buildings on the campus.Most of the main Central buildings are old ones that circle a large area where the student services and bank, food places and other services are. The rest of the campus is spread for miles
( and I mean miles and miles ) and the buildings are newer and not as attractive.

Back tracking

2006-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Thought to back track and give those who don't know me some history. Here is a photo of myself. I actually have long hair , but its back.

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pool photos ( good in 110 f ) weather

2006-08-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Home in Tuscon

2006-08-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is just some pics to show you all the luxury I am staying in.It IS GREAT to have a pool , so nice to cool off in after a long day of work. The cacti are everywhere and amazing! One day when I get home to Australia ,I will start a special Arizona Cacti garden. The color and art through and around the home is spectacular . I am very fortunate to be here. I am getting everything to work and finding my way on buses and riding my bike around. You have to do a lot early in the day or otherwise it is way too hot. I am learning to wake up early and get going. I went to the University , it is a half hour by bike or a two hour bus trip
( due to changes and waiting ) . So, I will be biking as much as I can. I have met some of the staff and walked around to see the campus which is huge and has aprox 50,000 students . The city itself is aprox 500,000 people. I will meet more people and have my office set up by next week and then the students all come back. I am looking forward to this and having everything working by then.

more soon. time to walk the dogs and get dinner going.

ZINA

2006-08-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

Here is ZINA , for those who know me , you can see she looks a lot like my girl TARA... more soon.

Arizona Tuscon 30th July 2006

2006-07-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Tuscon is huge city , by Byron Bay Australia standards!(if you have google earth go have a look ). I am staying on the east side of town and the mountains are in the north.From where I am sitting I can see the Catalina mountains which are covered in cloud today. We have had flash flooding and it has cooled things a bit .This morning I went to the local Catholic church with my hosts. The priest spoke about dealing with "overwhelming times" in our lives . A good message! It is interesting to see how people live here .The surroundings are so radically different than my usual home by the pacific ocean.
The desert here is full of cacti of all sizes and descriptions , some with red fruits , which local people make into jams.

Last night I was treated to some of the best local mexican cuisine at 'ROSA'S' , there was a line waiting to get seats and as I waited a woman said to me " have you been here before "? "No,I replied , I have only been in town 2 days " "Oh , she said , wow , good work , your only here for two days and you found this place !" That should tell you something about how good the food was!and the Margaritas! The whole place had amazing murals . When my camera is charged again ,( doing that right now ) I will be out snapping pics to show you. There is so much to show, the landscape , the mountains , the desert colours and shapes and even right where I am staying.
So stick around... check in and travel with me.

tomorrow , I will head to the University of Tuscon to the American Indian studies program . I am excited as this journey really takes off.

be well.

Travels so far

2006-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

28TH JULY 2006
I am now in Tuscon Arizona( as of last night). I am going to back track a bit in this post. I arrived in California in the hottest heat wave on record. Trust me . Anyway , hot was hot. SO much so that a trip to the ocean was needed. Of course everyone in driving distance was headed the same way. ( see pic of the zillion cars on the headland!!) , so there was cars parked in every direction for miles and people walking. It was amazing , we found a space right next to the beach? then had a lovely day under shade . The water is icy here , when I first got to the shore , I was wondering how come noone much was actually IN the water . I soon found out , as hot as it was outside ( 108 -115) that day... the water was the exactly how I imagine it would be if a glacier had broken off.

I met some great guys kayaking and we were talking and of course one of them had a brother in Sydney and had been to Australia and knew where Byron Bay was.( which is near where I live ). I am sure everyone in this world is connected by no more distance than a handshake or two! a real Pity we don't realise this more and find ways to have true peace ! I saw this person on the side of the road with the peace sign!( see pic). There is a lot of this here in California , people out asking for peace.

later that day we headed to Spirit rock meditation centre/center!( Google to find out more ). This is a wonderful property and place near Woodacre , which is in MARIN county CA. That evening we stayed and about 200 people braved the heat to come and sit together in the Buddhist meditation practice of the Thai forest tradition. A simple practice called Vipassana ( watching ones thoughts and breath).Afterward Jack Kornfield , who has written many books ( google) spoke on the topic of generosity. It was wonderfully inspiring , JACK ALWAYS IS !

Jack illustrated his talk with many wonderful stories from around the world. Jack has so much to share from his personal experiences.He has many years of teaching and working in various ways as a counsellor/pyschologist.He told one story that really touched me from the "Ojibwe" ( I hope the spelling is correct ), people of Canada. It was a story demonstrating generosity and healing from Intergenerational suffering . I was very moved !I hope to be able to share this in the future, once I have contacted the story teller whose story it is, and asked for permission to pass it on.

The other photos area around spirit rock.

next post will be about Arizona. Bare with me as I learn to use this blog template and improve on it.

First day in San Francisco: 20th July 2006

2006-07-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hello to everyone ! Here I am in San Fran. There is a heatwave here. Its 7pm and its still hot. I flew here from Sydney ( Australia's south East coast), and when I left it was a cold winter's day of 7 degrees c. I am heading from here to Tuscon Arizona ( University of Arizona, Native American Indian studies program )and expect it to be 45-50 degrees c( 110F )!

I will be posting more once there and adding pics and more info. Welome to those know me and for those who don't , thanks for logging on and tavelling with me!

I have been so fortunate to recieve a Fulbright award /fellowship. I hope this site will be a place for me to share my journey, my research and be a place to interact with others ! I hope it will also inspire you to aim for your own dreams.

ok , enough for now , more soon!