(I have not been able to access much of the internet lately, and so I had to finally find somewhere I could get a good connection to post this...)
When struggling with nature, man would learn the habits (virtues) and strong features of some animals. They would respect the animal and pride themselves on telling stories of his encounter with this animal.
The Indian would then carve his family history on a giant pole, and then stood it where everyone could see it. The poles usually started with the oldest history at the bottom, and read upward as the family went on. Topping the pole would be the family crest or totem of sorts. Early totems were carved using stone tools. When metals and parts of boats started washing ashore, the carvers had started using metal tools.
Also, the website told of what animals certain trives would normally carve in their totem poles. I found these for the Tlingit tribe: Raven, frog, goose, sea lion, owl, salmon, beaver, codfish, skate, wolf, eagle, bear, killer whale, shark, auk, gull, sparrow hawk, thunder bird.
Sources:
http://www.chainsawsculptors.com/totem_poles.htm
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Week One - Touching Spirit Bear
In the book, Cole decides to apply for Circle Justice. From the explanations in the book, we know that it is “a healing form of justice practiced by native cultures for thousands of years”. We also know from Garvey hat “you don’t have to be Native American or First Nation. Anybody can love, forgive, and heal”.
The part of Circle Justice that goes on in the book is called Sentencing Circles. It is a process which involves the community along with all other involved peoples who then come to a consensus on a good sentencing plan that addresses the concerns of all people involved. While in the circle, people can speak ‘freely’ while trying to figure out the steps needed to help heal all peoples affected and to prevent future happenings of crimes. As we have seen in the book, these Circles involve a multi-step process made up of: “(1) application of the offender in the circle process; (2) a healing circle for the victim; (3) a healing circle for the offender; (4) a sentencing circle to develop consensus on the elements of a sentencing plan; and (5) follow-up circles to monitor the progress of the offender.” We see the beginning of this process in the first two chapters of the book when Cole applies to the Circle; although he has to wait and grows impatient for a response.
I found one article which talks about a sentencing in Minnesota which involves Circle Sentencing, it says “faced with persistent crimes ranging from drug dealing to vandalism, the communities are pioneering a return to ancient tribal customs that bring people together to unearth the root causes of misconduct…it’s called Circle Sentencing”. It also says that once they (the justice members) choose a sentence, circle members stay involved with – and even mentor – the offender to ensure that they stay with their ‘sentence’. The article also says “it demands real behavior change, not just sitting in a cell and watching tv”. We see this in the book as well; Cole had been living in that tiny cell and sitting around doing nothing but watching tv and now he is out and having to fend for himself and keep himself alive. The Circle Justice concept makes it so that convicted peoples can choose to heal themselves and the community if they want to. It helps these people to feel that they can give back, if only infinitesimally, to the people who have to pay for their actions.
Works Cited:Indian Custom. 1999. MN homepage. 4 Jun 1999<http://freenet.msp.mn.us/~fholson/circles-mn/circ-stb.htm> Circle Justice. 2002. National Tribal Justice Resource Center. 2 May 2008http://www.tribalresourcecenter.org/programs/messageboard/messagedetails.asp?36
The part of Circle Justice that goes on in the book is called Sentencing Circles. It is a process which involves the community along with all other involved peoples who then come to a consensus on a good sentencing plan that addresses the concerns of all people involved. While in the circle, people can speak ‘freely’ while trying to figure out the steps needed to help heal all peoples affected and to prevent future happenings of crimes. As we have seen in the book, these Circles involve a multi-step process made up of: “(1) application of the offender in the circle process; (2) a healing circle for the victim; (3) a healing circle for the offender; (4) a sentencing circle to develop consensus on the elements of a sentencing plan; and (5) follow-up circles to monitor the progress of the offender.” We see the beginning of this process in the first two chapters of the book when Cole applies to the Circle; although he has to wait and grows impatient for a response.
I found one article which talks about a sentencing in Minnesota which involves Circle Sentencing, it says “faced with persistent crimes ranging from drug dealing to vandalism, the communities are pioneering a return to ancient tribal customs that bring people together to unearth the root causes of misconduct…it’s called Circle Sentencing”. It also says that once they (the justice members) choose a sentence, circle members stay involved with – and even mentor – the offender to ensure that they stay with their ‘sentence’. The article also says “it demands real behavior change, not just sitting in a cell and watching tv”. We see this in the book as well; Cole had been living in that tiny cell and sitting around doing nothing but watching tv and now he is out and having to fend for himself and keep himself alive. The Circle Justice concept makes it so that convicted peoples can choose to heal themselves and the community if they want to. It helps these people to feel that they can give back, if only infinitesimally, to the people who have to pay for their actions.
Works Cited:Indian Custom. 1999. MN homepage. 4 Jun 1999<http://freenet.msp.mn.us/~fholson/circles-mn/circ-stb.htm> Circle Justice. 2002. National Tribal Justice Resource Center. 2 May 2008http://www.tribalresourcecenter.org/programs/messageboard/messagedetails.asp?36
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The Once and Future King
Book 4:
I do not think that Arthur should have tried to drown Mordred, he should just admit to his mistake because he did not know.
I completely forgot about Mordred being the heir to the throne, I think they need to be nice to him like Arthur is now.
It was very smart of Agravaine to think to have a trial-by-jury so that Launcelot would not have the advantage of a trial-by-combat. It was also very nice or Gareth to try and warn Launcelot of the plan to catch he and Guenever and I wish he would have listened to it, but at least Launcelot escaped Guenever's chamber when it was surrounded.
I do not like Mordred because he is sneaky and always mean to everyone. I also cannot believe that he said Arthur was dead so that he could be King and could marry Guenever.
I really do like the way that the book ended with Arthur thinking back on what he would do differently with his life.
I also believe that Merlyn told Arthur that no one survives that war and that is why Arthur told the scribe not to fight, but to get away and tell Arthur's story when everyone else had died.
I do not think that Arthur should have tried to drown Mordred, he should just admit to his mistake because he did not know.
I completely forgot about Mordred being the heir to the throne, I think they need to be nice to him like Arthur is now.
It was very smart of Agravaine to think to have a trial-by-jury so that Launcelot would not have the advantage of a trial-by-combat. It was also very nice or Gareth to try and warn Launcelot of the plan to catch he and Guenever and I wish he would have listened to it, but at least Launcelot escaped Guenever's chamber when it was surrounded.
I do not like Mordred because he is sneaky and always mean to everyone. I also cannot believe that he said Arthur was dead so that he could be King and could marry Guenever.
I really do like the way that the book ended with Arthur thinking back on what he would do differently with his life.
I also believe that Merlyn told Arthur that no one survives that war and that is why Arthur told the scribe not to fight, but to get away and tell Arthur's story when everyone else had died.
The Once and Future King
Book 3:
I had thought that something bad would happen when Merlyn forgot to tell Arthur about Igraine and it did. He slept with his sister, Morgause, and they had a child named Mordred. I think Launcelot and Guenever will obviously cause a lot of trouble by being in love, which I find to be sad because Guenever never chose to marry Arthur because she loved him. Launcelot's character seems to be able to take care of himself and anything that happens to him and I like that. He never seems to get afraid of anything or anyone he is fighting. I think that it was horrible to trick Launcelot into sleeping with Elaine. It will probably mean that she is pregnant.
I think Launcelot's son, Galahad, will become a great knight and someday 'replace' Launcelot. I also really like how many different sides there are to the story and how everything that happens connects at some point.
I really feel bad for Elaine not having Launcelot's love in return for her own. I thought that Launcelot should have felt worse when she commmitted suicide.
I found it sweet when Launcelot rescued Guenever from being killed and they realized they still loved each other. But I also think that they will need to be more careful sneaking around because they might get caught.
I had thought that something bad would happen when Merlyn forgot to tell Arthur about Igraine and it did. He slept with his sister, Morgause, and they had a child named Mordred. I think Launcelot and Guenever will obviously cause a lot of trouble by being in love, which I find to be sad because Guenever never chose to marry Arthur because she loved him. Launcelot's character seems to be able to take care of himself and anything that happens to him and I like that. He never seems to get afraid of anything or anyone he is fighting. I think that it was horrible to trick Launcelot into sleeping with Elaine. It will probably mean that she is pregnant.
I think Launcelot's son, Galahad, will become a great knight and someday 'replace' Launcelot. I also really like how many different sides there are to the story and how everything that happens connects at some point.
I really feel bad for Elaine not having Launcelot's love in return for her own. I thought that Launcelot should have felt worse when she commmitted suicide.
I found it sweet when Launcelot rescued Guenever from being killed and they realized they still loved each other. But I also think that they will need to be more careful sneaking around because they might get caught.
The Once and Future King
Book 2:
The idea that King Arthur had about the round table seems to be a very smart idea, yet it may not work the way that he wants it to. Since nobody knows who at the table has power, other than Arthur, there may be chaos, confusion, and trouble for everyone. I believe that the reason Sir Grummore and Palomides pretended to be the Questing Beast, by dressing in a costume, was to help Sir Pellinore with his love sickness and to get his mind off of it. I really like Merlyn's story about the man who tried to run from death, but he ended up meeting up with it anyway when he ran away from it. It means that you should not try to escape destiny and what is supposed to happen because some things are going to happen no matter what and sometimes they have to happen. I think that it was interesting that Merlyn was able to tell Arthur what things he needs to know about for the future, yet he forgets to tell Arthur that his mother is Igraine. Which also means that he is related to Morgan le Fay, Elaine, and Morgause. If Merlyn forgot to tell Arthur about something as important as that, I think that something bad will happen as a result.
The idea that King Arthur had about the round table seems to be a very smart idea, yet it may not work the way that he wants it to. Since nobody knows who at the table has power, other than Arthur, there may be chaos, confusion, and trouble for everyone. I believe that the reason Sir Grummore and Palomides pretended to be the Questing Beast, by dressing in a costume, was to help Sir Pellinore with his love sickness and to get his mind off of it. I really like Merlyn's story about the man who tried to run from death, but he ended up meeting up with it anyway when he ran away from it. It means that you should not try to escape destiny and what is supposed to happen because some things are going to happen no matter what and sometimes they have to happen. I think that it was interesting that Merlyn was able to tell Arthur what things he needs to know about for the future, yet he forgets to tell Arthur that his mother is Igraine. Which also means that he is related to Morgan le Fay, Elaine, and Morgause. If Merlyn forgot to tell Arthur about something as important as that, I think that something bad will happen as a result.
The Once and Future King
Book 1:
I embrace the idea of learning about animals by actually experiencing what life is like for them like Wart did when he turned into a fish, bird, mole and ant. His tutor, Merlyn, has an advantage to teach because he can turn Wart into things with magic. I think that Merlyn living backwards will possibly help Wart with future situations because Merlyn will be able to tell him about things that are going to happen and so he will have time to prepare himself for them. I believe that by having Wart accidentally pull the sword from the stone because he cannot get to Sir Kay's sword, symbolizes that he is going to be a great King and things will come to him easily and he will be able to accomplish tasks which he did not even set out to do. I like the character of Wart because he is always happy and willing to learn all of the time. I also like the character of Merlyn because he is very easy-going and seems to be able to deal with any situation that he ends up in without getting angry or upset. Part of that could be that he has already dealt with the conflict because of him living backwards.
I embrace the idea of learning about animals by actually experiencing what life is like for them like Wart did when he turned into a fish, bird, mole and ant. His tutor, Merlyn, has an advantage to teach because he can turn Wart into things with magic. I think that Merlyn living backwards will possibly help Wart with future situations because Merlyn will be able to tell him about things that are going to happen and so he will have time to prepare himself for them. I believe that by having Wart accidentally pull the sword from the stone because he cannot get to Sir Kay's sword, symbolizes that he is going to be a great King and things will come to him easily and he will be able to accomplish tasks which he did not even set out to do. I like the character of Wart because he is always happy and willing to learn all of the time. I also like the character of Merlyn because he is very easy-going and seems to be able to deal with any situation that he ends up in without getting angry or upset. Part of that could be that he has already dealt with the conflict because of him living backwards.
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