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In the Faces of America interview, Erdrich claims herself as a mother before any other identity. She ranks being Native American third, after being a writer. This means that she is strongly rooted as a Native American, but her job as mother and writer are more important to her. She also refers the Native American tribes as "we", but she also refers to the United States government as "we". She said "For many years, the U.S. government assumed that Native Americans would vanish. Thats why some of the strongest treaties were made. But we didn't vanish." Later, she talks about the United States got "tired" of dealing with the Native Americans, and she says "What should we do?" This proves that Erdrich's sense of identity is spread out over many different categories. She views herself as an American and a Native American, as well as a mother and writer.

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George Morrison's artwork is often modeled after a landscape or setting rather than a person or object. He pairs this with earth tones to create a simplistic setting. Morrison takes an abstract, surrealist approach to his work which allows the viewer to interpret the piece differently. What I loved about this painting is at first it appears as if random, geometric shapes are assembled into a painting but when you look at it closer, the geometric shapes make up a small town with a river running through it. 

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George Morrison's artwork is often modeled after a landscape or setting rather than a person or object. He pairs this with earth tones to create a simplistic setting. Morrison takes an abstract, surrealist approach to his work which allows the viewer to interpret the piece differently. What I loved about this painting is at first it appears as if random, geometric shapes are assembled into a painting but when you look at it closer, the geometric shapes make up a small town with a river running through it. 

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-Kaitlyn Oliver

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"A husband who dreamed of the bear when he was young, could strengthen his very ill wife by spreading a cloth with the image of a bear over her and later hanging it by her head as she was getting stronger. A man who had dreamed of a rainbow, thunder bird, lightning, and the earth (indicated by a circle) painted it on a blanket and wore it around his back for everyone to see and fastened it across his chest (Id. at 82). A man who dreamed of an unusually shaped knife made one and carried it in battle. A woman who saw a winged figure in a youthful dream carried a representation of the figure made of black cloth and bordered with white beads, "believing that she has secured supernatural guidance from its presence."

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The reason i chose this painting is because i find very comforting and peaceful. The colors of this painting are all soft to they eye. no color is too bright or obnoxious. I see the painting separated into two sections. The sky and the land. The sky is a hazy vague area. No outer lines are limiting it. all the colors just flow together and within each other. the land however is very rigid. made of boxes almost. there is a sense of order and symmetry to it. The contrast fits well however. between the hazy sky and rigid land. 

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The reason i chose this painting is because i find very comforting and peaceful. The colors of this painting are all soft to they eye. no color is too bright or obnoxious. I see the painting separated into two sections. The sky and the land. The sky is a hazy vague area. No outer lines are limiting it. all the colors just flow together and within each other. the land however is very rigid. made of boxes almost. there is a sense of order and symmetry to it. The contrast fits well however. between the hazy sky and rigid land. 

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In the SC interview, I was shocked to hear that the unemployment rates raise as high as 60% and that many of the Hopi people have low motivation and self worth. The story of Andre Lucas' mother's passing left me heartbroken. Running for these boys is really all they have as a support system and stress reliever. This portion of the interview made me empathize and feel for these boys and exhibited how important running is for them.

Abbie

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In the interview, Frank Waln talks about the first time he went to chicago for school and says, “When I came to Chicago to go to school, I actually met a person my first week here, that was living in my dorm, who thought Native Americans are extinct. She thought we were gone and dead. And it really shook me.” In His song “White War” Frank talks about how throughout history, Native Americans were forgotten about, and we only learned about them in school up to the 1800’s. The says in this song “You can't wash me in this white war” the means to say that history was told by the victors, and how the side Native Americans is never told, and it's just as much American history as the victors. Frank Waln’s perspective is like most peoples who grew up on on reservations, however he has a different way of putting his views out into the world. He takes this negative thing, and discusses it in his songs to make a positive change in the way his culture is seen.

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Rowdy: The Protector

Owner of Persia

Rowdy is intrigued by the icy ocean cover of Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. Tempests promised within! And sure enough it is juicy as the cat food from the refrigerator that Rowdy waits in vain to steal from the vicious feline who shares the house. Speaking of vicious felines this book about a "happy" marriage involves one of the most manipulative happy housewives ever. A woman with a chilling past. A man of vacant beauty. Lots of snappy sex dialogue. What's not to love?

Follow the continuing story of Rowdy, The Protector...

Lady: The Sassy One

Owner of Christian

I'm not just sassy; I'm also very smart. I often research interesting things. Recently I've been devouring (not literally... ok maybe a little bit...) Audra Simpson's Mohawk Interruptus. In her new book, Columbia University Professor Simpson (Mohawk nation) investigates complex reworkings of recognition and membership politics in the Kahnawa:ke Reservation. This book is a great addition to the growing work by scholars focusing on definitions of "Indian" and legal ramifications at work in the defining processes. This particular work takes an interesting glance at Native reworkings of internalizations of non-Native definitions of who counts as Native, expanding my understandings of how contemporary reservation enrollment is not just a product of colonial legislation, but also new ways that tribes had worked within and around those laws, repurposing them in some regards, reiterating colonial laws in others. It's an academic book full of stories and critical thought, and it's delicious! Trust me...

More sassy book picks from Lady...

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I enjoyed this artwork by George Morrison the most. While each piece of wood is completely different in shape, size, and color they all end up fitting perfectly together. The differences in the piece is drastic. There are some pieces that are perfect squares while others look like old scrap wood that should have been thrown away. Even though the pieces vary in shape, they all look worn and dirty. The colors remind me of traditional Native American clothing due most of the pieces being some shade of brown with a small amount of red or green. The use of wood conveys, not only, Morrison’s like for nature and the outdoors but his love for craftsmanship. Each piece seems to be cut by a person and many have some sort rement of paint on them. I think this artwork shows how Native Americans live off the land, using things available to them by nature, to create a way of life and a culture.

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Frank Waln is a Native American rapper who raps about the struggles of growing up as a modern day Native American. The chorus of his song, "White War" addresses the issue of Native American history and how it is taught in American public Schools. (Link: verse 1:35 - 1:45 https://soundcloud.com/f_waln_35/frank-waln-white-war ) "Can't white wash me in this white war. You can't talk speak about people you didn't fight for." This verse reveals how Native American history is taught from the perspective of white people. Waln mentions that the victories of white people are praised in history, but the genocide and struggles of the Native Americans are not often talked about in history classes. Additionally, Waln mentions in his interview that Native Americans are rarely talked about in history after the 1800s, so his purpose in rapping is to shed light on the experiences of modern day Native Americans and how their ancestry has affected them.

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"According to Anthropologist, Frances Densmore (1867-1957), physical objects such as stone pipes, a horned cap, woven yard cords, paintings and drawings on cloth, blankets, headgear, miniature objects given to children, and woven beadwork such as headbands or neckbands worn tightly around the neck, frequently represented the subject of important dreams and visions, and represented them either by imitation or interpretion (Densmore 1979:78-86).
She wrote that: "It was the belief of the Chippewa that by possessing some representation of a dream subject one could at any time secure its protection, guidance, and assistance."

I found this traditional belief and practice of the Ojibway culture to be very interesting, inspiring even, because they saw dreams as much more meaningful and powerful occurrences than we do now. They cherished every dream they had and would actually represent them with objects and carry them around with them. Dreams have always fascinated me, but I have never put as much thought into them as the Ojibway do. This made me want to focus on my future dreams and look into them more. Are they coming from my self-conscious, or are they some sort of sign from the universe ? Probably not the latter, but it's interesting to view them in that way.

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I find this painting, "Lake Superior Landscape", By George Morrison to be particularly strong because of the color choice and subject matter. Morrison aimed to reflect the vitality and beauty he saw in nature on canvas using abstract, broken down shapes and lively colors. Looking at this painting, I am able to see the dynamic energy he chose to accentuate because of the bright colors. Also, although it is abstract, Morrison is still able to make it obvious that it is a landscape. This painting struck my interest because I could immediately see his deep love for nature.

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I find this painting, "Lake Superior Landscape", By George Morrison to be particularly strong because of the color choice and subject matter. Morrison aimed to reflect the vitality and beauty he saw in nature on canvas using abstract, broken down shapes and lively colors. Looking at this painting, I am able to see the dynamic energy he chose to accentuate because of the bright colors. Also, although it is abstract, Morrison is still able to make it obvious that it is a landscape. This painting struck my interest because I could immediately see his deep love for nature.

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Erdich's mother is Chippewa Indian (half Ojibwe and half French) and her father is German American.  Within the interview, she states that she identifies as both Native American and white.  She feels like it is important to know your history and know where you came from, which is why she knows very extensively about the history of Native Americans, their treatment, and the Native American relationship with the US government. In the past, Native Americans were given American citizenship.  They were later made a separate Indian sovereignty, which was taken advantage of as poor Native Americans of the 1950's sold their land, Native American reservations disappearing.  The relationship between the Native Americans and the US government isn't only important because of the atrocities from the past and present, but also because of tribal placement.

"It's not only the oral tradition that makes this so important.  Well, that's the first thing, but also the US government.  We have to have a very detailed description to our background in order to be enrolled in our own tribe".

Because of this required US government tribal placement, a large part of a Native American's identity lies with what the US government categorizes them in.  In order to officially claim Ojibwe heritage, detailed background and genealogy is required.

I feel like history and heritage of ones family will be a large aspect in her short stories because of Native American core values of knowing their ancestors as well as the requirements set by the government.  The struggle of poverty and unemployment will probably also be discussed.  The interaction between white Americans and Native Americans will probably be important because of the history of Native Americans as well as her own sense of identity as a Native American and white mix.  Growing up with parents representing both sides makes her involvement in the interaction between two groups even more personal.

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Take 3?
From the half dozen or so reviews that I have read on Erdrich's blog, I can tell that she has a craves for the dramatic. Or maybe she just likes to read about appalling events. Erdrich includes a photo of the cover of Voices in the Ocean. It is nothing too aggravating, just a dolphin jumping out of the water. However, Erdrich believes that "this book deserves a truly unsettling cover". The book should not have such an idyllic cover because the content it covers some very grisly topics. (Like hunters that kill dolphins by the thousands) She does not use the blog post to harp on the dolphin hunters. She actually appreciates the shock value of the book.
I have a feeling that Erdrich's own stories will be equally as startling. She might cover the grisly lives of the poorer native Americans. How life isn't so nice to them

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"This is a book for parents to read with their daughters and sons -- a kind of all family read that will reward everyone with a piercing look into the lives of extraordinarily courageous people who are also altogether human in their daily decisions, feasts, trials, squabbles, and intense loyalty."

Her interest in characters that are incredible but are also very much human may indicate that the characters in her stories are similar. The people in her stories are likely fictional and possibly perform incredible tasks, but they are very relatable because of their humanity which makes them realistic. Also, her interest in books that have lessons to teach people of all ages likely means that her stories each have a larger message that can appeal to a wide range of people. This excerpt also demonstrates that she greatly values family, and therefore this may be another concept that is prevalent in her work.

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George Morrison's art is very geometric and brightly coloured; he mainly uses primary/earth tones and simple patterns to convey an image.  This painting is entitled "Dawn and Sea"; I find it to be exceptionally beautiful because there is such a prominent contrast between the fluffy blending of bright colours in the sky and the distinct, darker, geometric landscape.  This contrast creates a striking image which, while abstract, reflects the intermingling, free-flowing nature of the colours of the sun and the clouds in the sky at dawn.  Between the bright sky and the deeper landscape, the painting has a wild, vibrant nature to it that sets it apart and makes it jump out at the viewer.
-Katherine Yusko

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The part that really stood out to me was how little the tribe had to live with. Their land is a couple of mesas without any fertile ground. Their homes don't have running water, unemployment is very high and alcoholism is rampant. One of the runners had a story about how his mother died because she was an alcoholic. The kids don't have much hope to have successful lives outside of the reservation because of limited opportunities. It was inspiring to watch and think about how the success of winning these 25 consecutive state titles in cross country gave the boys hope that better days could come, even with the hardships in life.

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"The reaction that I get from Native youth is worth more to me than money. Almost every time I do a show in an indigenous community, a young Native person comes up to me and tells me my music or my performance has changed their life."

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“In general terms, Ojibway spirituality centers around certain customs and beliefs, concepts, events, and objects. These include the sweatlodge, pipe, drums, singing, the naming ceremony, prayer, vision questing and guardian spirits, the Pow Wow, the medicine man or woman (shamans), medicine bags, dream articles and traditional stories regarding the Great Spirit, Creation, Original Man, The Flood, etc. Ritual and spiritual objects include sage,sweetgrass,tobacco, and cedar. Dogs were akin to the sacrifical lambs of early Christianity. There are 4 seasons and 4 grandfathers (or 4 powers of the universe) sit at the four cardinal directions of North, South, East, and West. The symbolic "four colors of man" are red,yellow,black, and white.”

I found this excerpt particularly evocative—I found their provided examples centered around certain customs and beliefs, concepts, events, and objects very interesting. For example, they use “pipes, drums, vision questing and guardian spirits, medicine bags, etc”. It also mentioned how there are four seasons and four grandfathers (four powers of the universe), and referenced symbolism (“four colors of man”) and why they are important in regards to Ojibway Spirituality.

-Jen

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This is not a painting of George Morrison, but rather a collage made out of scrap wood he had found on beaches on the Atlantic. What I found so interesting about this artwork is that it is the combination of assorted natural things, all discarded, to create a cohesive work worthy of a place in an art museum.

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From the half dozen reviews I read on Erdrich

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"Stone was favored for its enduring properties and on older man told Densmore: "A picture can be destroyed, but stone endures, so it is good that a man have the subject of his dream carved in a stone pipe that can be buried with him. Many of his possessions are left to his friends, but the sign of the dream should not be taken from him" (Id.)...
The possession of a woven yard cord with the color white woven into it, when tied around the waist of a woman who had dreamed of a safe trip on a large lake, was believed to provide protection to her when traveling (Densmore 1979:80-81,111)."
I found this interesting because the Ojibwe people don't question what they dream of, they just make a physical representation from the dream and go with it. The dream charms remind me of dream catchers and how they're supposed to catch the bad dreams while you sleep. The Ojibwe people find dreams and the messages behind the dreams to be powerful, which is why they make dream charms.

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"The wolf and man (the Ojibway) are thought to be similar because both walked creation, mate for life, have a Clan system and a tribe, have had their land taken from them, have been hunted for their hair, have been pushed close to destruction and are recovering."

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"The wolf and man (the Ojibway) are thought to be similar because both walked creation, mate for life, have a Clan system and a tribe, have had their land taken from them, have been hunted for their hair, have been pushed close to destruction and are recovering."

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Most humans don't see animals as similar or equal to them which is why I found this excerpt interesting. This shows that the Ojibway tribe are more in tune to nature than most modern peoples, and they do not believe humans to be the most supreme creatures just because they are humans. Along with this, this excerpt lists certain beliefs and traditions the Ojibway tribe follows. These include the fact that man and wolf create life, and their belief in soul mates when it comes to love. With this, the excerpt explains how the Ojibway tribe has fought through various struggles, including predation and being robbed. The Ojibway tribe is portrayed as strong, though, in that they are or have recovered. I found this empowering, as they keep pushing and refuse to give up. I also found this interesting because they talk about having enemies and I'm wondering who those enemies are-and if they are human or of another species.
-Sophie Forte

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When the Associate Professor of History at the University of Illinois explained the meaning of Hopi, which is the name of their high school) that spoke to me. It means "all people peaceful." My reaction to that was comfort, clearly their school is founded upon that principle. This word is what the Hopi people live around, peace and struggle but keeping peace within the struggle. They're territory is a part of their culture and that's where they get their edge when it comes to running. The land is perfect for long distance running. There are too many good scenes to react to! I'm going to stick with this one but it is important because the meaning of the word what live by and how they incorporate it into their running is amazing. They run for a purpose, it is a form of praying for moisture in some ways, running is deeply embedded in their culture. Running is their escape from their difficult lives.

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"A husband who dreamed of the bear when he was young could strengthen his very ill wife by spreading a cloth with the image of a bear over her and later hanging it by her head as she was getting stronger. A man who had dreamed of a rainbow, thunder bird, lightning, and the earth (indicated by a circle) painted it on a blanket and wore it around his back for everyone to see and fastened it across his chest (Id. at 82). A man who dreamed of an unusually shaped knife made one and carried it in battle. A woman who saw a winged figure in a youthful dream carried a representation of the figure made of black cloth and bordered with white beads, "believing that she has secured supernatural guidance from its presence."
To the Ojibwean people, dreams had power extending to reality. This except explains how Ojibwe

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Louise Erdich, as someone who is half-native american and half german-american, struggled with her sense of identity growing up. Native Americans are known for being extremely proud of their heritage since it has been threatened so much in the past. They can trace their genetics back to the very beginning, which is required by the US government, but also a strong reason for their pride. "It's a very very strong component of native life to know who you are and my mother made us very proud of who we are" (Erdrich). She had to decide if she wanted to be a part of the tribe when she was young and her grandfather was a big help to her. I think her stories will reflect this conflict within herself as she weighed the pros and cons with her grandfather and family of being associated with her tribe. She is also likely to discuss what exactly makes her so proud of her heritage and how she was able to come to embrace it fully.

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Variety of colors are employed to created a feeling of peace, excitement and sorrowness. The color most applied is brown color to evoke a nature or earth like feeling. The woody picture is very organized and nice. The artist decided to place the sun there to emphasize nature and the darkness on the bottom of it as the reflection of the sun on the some type of lake. The choice create a balance setting thus illustrating peace and harmony.
This artwork stands out to me the most because of the range of color used. This scene is make me feel excited and sad at the same. The dark colors creates a dark depressing atmosphere in contrast the bright colors like the yellow and red makes me feel joyous.

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Ojibway Dream Articles: Physical Objects Representing or Interpreting Dreams and Visions

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Ojibway Dream Articles: Physical Objects Representing or Interpreting Dreams and Visions

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"According to Anthropologist, Frances Densmore (1867-1957), physical objects such as stone pipes, a horned cap, woven yard cords, paintings and drawings on cloth, blankets, headgear, miniature objects given to children, and woven beadwork such as headbands or neckbands worn tightly around the neck, frequently represented the subject of important dreams and visions, and represented them either by imitation or interpretion (Densmore 1979:78-86)"
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~call0031/ojibwa.html

*The Ojibway culture believes that their dreams and visions should be shared and presented through physical objects. I think that this tradition is special because it allows the community to share things that are personal in a creative way.

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Question 4:
The color scheme in this piece is relatively muted, leaving a sense of loneliness, abandonment, maybe desolation. His medium, wood, and the way he construct his collage gives the artwork a sense of structure and organization, however the way the wood is arranged gives a sense of uniqueness to every "room" within this collage. I believe this wooden collage represents nature of American landscapes, it is desolate, and it has been a long time since it has looked vibrant and appealing to the eye. However, the medium might express that it has lasted a long time, or been resilient to change over time, maybe even being slowly

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George Morrison paints with primary colors and browns. His paintings are simplistic and they feel earthy. The piece of artwork I chose is named
“Spirit Path, New Day, Red Rock Variation: Lake Superior Landscape”. I find it interesting how he paints pictures of a landscape, but it's not in its traditional colors. The painting looks like it's over saturated, so it's hard to depict what the painting is depicting.

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Question 4)

The artwork by George Morrison, left untitled, is composed of recurring patterns of rectangles, some darker than others. When examined from afar, the artwork displays a portrait of what seems like a Egyptian man carry a cane, or eating. The underlying message of this piece is to convey how people should look at the bigger picture, and how even small things could add up to something big.