Heads up, Arthur Short Bull’s exhibition “PLaces & Narratives” opens at the Great Plains Art Museum at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, January 5, 2010.  Over fifty original watercolors depciting the people and landscapes of Native America will be on display through March 28, 2010.  Visitng the online dawn hawk gallery will give you a sense of what’s to be seen. Enjoy.

http://dawnhawk.org/

Randomness is rampant in moi’s mind this day cycle of no sleep–and my latest posts tell only a small piece of the tale—lucky for you. Much thanks to dave, the lazy photographer trolling Toronto for whatever trips his camera snaps, for inspiring this post about DC.   http://lazyphotog.wordpress.com/

These days one HAS to wonder what goes in Washington, DC besides lobbyists going  mad. Well, corrupt politics aside, here are a few things that DC has to offer:

Teaism–Not all for the love of tea –there are wonderfully good  yum yums for your tum tum. Do NOT pass on the cookies or green tea ice cream. 

http://www.teaism.com/Restaurant/PennQuarter.aspx?SubModuleID=7

Way affordable lodging for those willing to share bunks, bathrooms, kitchens and one funky pooltable—-every hostel is unique and this is no exception.

http://hiwashingtondc.org/

Hankering to play history detective? Oh the National Archives are loaded to the max with all sorts of secrets.

http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/washington/

Great Thai food that won’t break your budget can be had at Haad Thai.

http://www.haadthairestaurant.com/

Feasts for your eyes at the Freer Gallery–oh for the loves of Whistler don’t miss it.

http://www.asia.si.edu/

Oh and yes, there is PUBLIC transportation in DC–the metro runs runs runs–and sometimes there’s live music too–but it’s affordable and reliable and if it’s crowded another train will be along soon—wake up the rest of America and get one of these systems.

http://www.wmata.com/

http://www.kkfi.org/program.php?id=84

Blogging in the wee hours in silence? Doesn’t have to be. Surf in to KKFI’s five hour long talk radio show hosted by the one and only Ben Johnson–no, he’s not that Ben Johnson of Shakey Will’s time. But he could be a reincarnation…right there’s some weird tunes  aplaying–an early suicide? Dunno, just tunned in meself…Care to join us later nighters in Kansas City? Ohhh here’s Neil Young and the vampire song….join in…

www.kkfi.org   streaming live

community radio like you’ve never heard it before–definitely without a plan…

At Monday at 5 am in the middle of muddled america this program will conclude until next week. But there are others for your listening pleasure –and amazement–and displeasure– always streaming online 24/7   365 for FREE—yes, FREE.

Just a few films for ‘thought’ here.  All deal with Native American subjects in one way or another. Suggestions for  additional titles are invited. Please feel free to post. 

“Total Silence Native American Women Vs Hollywood Stereotypes” –>

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2242905113/

The Snow Walker —–>>>>>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3019505945/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1143677-snow_walker/

Skins –>>

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2357723417/

Smoke  Signals –>>>

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120321/

Edge of America —->>>>

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363587/

Black Robe——>>>>

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101465/

The Business of Fancy Dancying –>>

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/business_of_fancydancing/#

The Only Good Indian  ->    http://www.theonlygoodindian.com/

American Indian Film Institute – - – - >.>.>

http://www.aifisf.com/aiff/2009/?fMenu=film

mourning sight from my upper bunk

DC women working quiet night

long legs criss crossing 11th and K

curving along

yellow cabs catching, departing

hard working

drifting sleep I count them

five corner keeping time

two corners

one smoking hot waves

shifting all night

even when dawn church  covers

last calls 7:30 am

hard heels holding down corner grounds

hurt hard eyes streetward we greet each other passing

sisters surviving

wishing fresh boiling hot coffee for sharing

relief shifts end

Wounded Knee Grave on Cemetery Hill

For no rational reason, because there was no “war”, no outbreak, no raids, no threat of military conflict, an estimated 300 infants, boys, girls, women and men were killed by the United States Military on December 29, 1890.  On this day in 2009, the Big Foot Memorial  Riders and others  honor their memory at Cemetery Hill where approximately 146 are buried in a mass grave. In the surrounding hills and desolate plain at least another 25 women and children and 3 men, were buried  in unmarked graves wherever their bodies were found. Others died of their fatal wounds after being brought to the Pine Ridge Agency. An unknown number of living were ’removed’ by friends and relations. At least 40 other bodies were ‘moved’ prior to the arrival of Dr. Eastman. According to the Army, rations were issued for 370 people of Big Foot/Spotted Elk’s band at the Wounded Knee camp. The army estimated around 70 survivors of unknown gender, age or condition among their Lakota relations. (Source, National Archives publication Microfilm 983, Central Plains Branch, KCMO).

Historical Marker

Trust and Survival concerns a group of Sitting Bull’s people who fled the Standing Rock Indian Reservation after his murder on December 15, 1890.  Some of these people sought refuge with Spotted Elk/Big Foot on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation.  Some found a certain degree of safety from further military conflict via the efforts of 2nd Lieutenant Harry Clay Hale and Captain Joseph Henry Hurst, 12the Infantry, the commanding officer of Fort Bennett.  On December 28th, 1890, Big Foot/Spotted Elk’s band peacefully submitted to the US. Military and went into camp for the night at Wounded Knee Creek. 

By the time of this post the Big Foot Memorial Riders will have arrived at Wounded Knee after nearly two weeks of travel in all weather.

The pdf file is via American Indian Quarterly which published “Trust and Survival” in 2008, 32.3 issue.

02AIQ32_3Wojcik

Love action? Get your thrills with John Woo’s new film Red Cliff. The film is pulling a respectable 88% Fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.  Lush cinematography with an eye to details even at the most unexpected moments make this a feast for the eyes.  The story line involves fundamental themes of love and lust for power. There’s also much of the underdog versus the BIG DOG tension at play in this conflict that raises the question of how does one even the odds when seriously outnumbered. Oh and there’s a lovely love story involving, of all things, a married couple!  My favorite human element is the Strategist  Zhuge Liange played by Takeshi Kaneshiro (he of the House of Flying Daggers delight). I like the ways in which this mentalist ‘thinks’ amidst the interconnectedness of all things.  Besides the action there’s just enough conceptual offerings concerning friendship, love, and the element of surprise to keep this from being entirely a stuntman’s wet dream of a film.

http://redclifffilm.com/    The trailer is such fun!

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red_cliff/

playing

Fumio’s art can be viewed at the Hyde Park Gallery in Kansas City, Missouri.  For more information please visit the Gallery site at:   http://www.hydeparkgalleryllp.com/

and for more beauty gifts:

http://www.fumiosawafineart.com/pages/home.html