Pow-Wow Trail 2009

 Three Feathers has compiled the Pow-Wow list for 2009.  Here it is….

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Pow-Wow Trail Dates and Aboriginal Annual Festival and Celebration Dates and Events 2009. If you have never ever been to a Pow-Wow you should try and attend one. The experience alone will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is most WELCOME. Some Restrictions May Apply. Safe to Call First. Safe Driving. Look out for the DEER and the MOOSE.  

 Pow-Wow dates are subject to change. Please contact the individual Pow-Wow organizers when making plans to attend such events listed below. As I get more updates and changes I will e-mail the updates and changes out to you. If you are aware of any other Pow-Wows or Festivals or Celebrations ~ Please let me know and I will add to my list. Three Feathers

Pow-Wow Trail Canada

… June 26 to 28 * Metepenagiag Pow-Wow (Red Bank) ~ (506) 622-6316 / 836-6128

 

Pow-Wow Trail USA

… May 22 to May 24 * Leech Lake Veteran’s Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds next to Bingo Palace Casino at Cass Lake, MN… Call (218) 368-0302 or lance.kingbird@llojibwe.com also Posted on Facebook

 

Scroll Down for MORE DETAIL on some Pow-Wow Dates and Events 

 

Aboriginal Annual Festivals and Celebrations

… June 21 * National Aboriginal Day in Canada

 

Pow-Wows and Festivals in the USA and Canada 
Online Pow-Wow List in the USA
http://www.wanderingbull.com

 

Canada Pow-Wow Listings

http://www.drumhop.com/capowwow.html

 

Pow-Wow Listings

http://www.powwows.com

 

What is Pow-Wow by Three Feathers

http://www.elements.nb.ca/Theme/ethics/pow/wow.htm

 

The Anishinawbe Pow-Wow Page

http://www.bobgoulais.com/bgc/powwow.htm

 

California Pow-Wow Listings

http://www.ocbtracker.com/ca.html 

 

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Details of Some Pow-Wows and Events

… June 26 to 28 * Once again we would like to invite everyone to yet another annual event that the Red Bank First Nations holds at our Oxbow Park at Red Bank, New Brunswick, Canada. For over 15 years now we have been holding this pow wow. We have had over 30 thousand or so visitors from all over the world that have past through. This years pow wow will start in a usual manner. With a sunrise ceremony every morning by our sacred fire. Followed by a breakfast cooked by our many volunteers that have offered there helping hand in this year’s pow wow. Following the morning, all committee members will be preparing the grounds for our expected visitors and the many drummers and dancers will be preparing for the grand entry. The pow wow will be hosted in its original but new pow wow grounds. Emcee and Master of Ceremonies will be the one and only Jimmy Augustine from Big Cove First Nation. For more information on the pow wow, please call Malcolm Ward at (506) 622 6316 or at 506 424 1916 or Patrica Dunnett at (506) 836 6128 and our Fax # (506) 836 6188 or email Malcolm at malcolmward407@hotmail.com also this event is Posted on Facebook.

 

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Other Sites to Enjoy 

 

Pabineau First Nation

http://www.pabineaufirstnation.ca

 

Chapel Island First Nation

Pow Wow and Mid Winter Feast

http://potlotek.ca/cifn/powwow.html

 

Related Mi’kmaq Sites

http://www.bigcoveband.com/related.htm   

 

Bear Claw Jewelry   

http://www.bearclawjewelry.com    

 

Wolf Creek Traders 
Brenda Wade and John Cook
http://www.wolfcreektraders.com

 

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads

Grants Pass in Oregon

http://www.firemountaingems.com 

 

Indian Craftsmen of Quebec

Outside of Quebec City

http://www.nativecraftmen.com 

 

John Bead Corporation

Toronto, Ontario

http://www.johnbead.com 

 

Native Reflections Catalogue

Winnipeg in Manitoba

http://www.nativereflections.com

 

Author of Mother Earth Spirituality

Ed McGaa Eagle Man (Oglala)

Phone (605) 673-5238

P.O. Box 725

Custer, SD

57730

USA

eagleman4@aol.com      

http://www.edmcgaa.com  

http://www.tribalconnections.org    

Elder’s Mediation of the Day                 

http://whitebison.org/meditation/index.php 

Mi’kmaq Resource Centre, The Mi’kmaq People,
About the Mi’kmaq Resource Centre, Other
Topical Sites, Mi’kmaq College Institute.
http://mrc.uccb.ns.ca/default.htm 

We Were Not the Savages: A Micmac Perspective on
the Collision of European and Aboriginal Civilizations.
By Author Daniel N. Paul (Daniel’s Web-Site)
http://www.danielnpaul.com

Information About Bald Eagles
http://www.baldeagleinfo.com

A Little Whimsy

The warm sun fills the room as the windows let through the first breath of spring.  A spring tradition is to open all the windows on a very sunny March day and let the fresh breeze race through the house; replacing the stale air with the revitalizing pure fragrance of spring.  During this time I putter through the house, rearranging furniture, reorganizing toys, sorting clothes, and cleaning anything that looks dull and dreary.  The house becomes enchanting and inviting…fresh and new.

I pass the time listening to very loud energetic music.  It transports me to a time when the song was original and popular.   A little bit of whimsy lightens the load.

Here are some current whimsical selections:

Roxanne Potvin – http://www.myspace.com/roxannepotvin

Meaghan Smith – http://www.meaghansmith.com/

Jill Barber – http://www.myspace.com/jillbarbermusic

Lily Frost – http://www.myspace.com/lilyfrost

Regina Spektor –  http://www.myspace.com/reginaspektor

Kate Nash – http://www.myspace.com/katenashmusic

Damhnait Doyle – http://www.myspace.com/damhnaitdoyle

 

Open the windows and breath a little whimsy.

Stef

The sacred story

The sacred story of the circle of life…who has it…who wants it…who is allowed to know it.

Mi'kmaw Culture

For many people the traditional ways of diverse cultures are often overlooked if you are not directly affected by them.  Even members of these diverse cultures are divided by tradition and contemporary practices.    These are choices underpinned by their cultural leaders.  We may consider government and religious leaders as cultural leaders, but there are others within cultures that govern their people.  Leadership is an influence relationship between people.  A small percentage of cultural leaders are true leaders who know how to manage change, collaborate, follow and live by example.  This is the new standard.

 

  True cultural leaders recognize the importance of passing along traditional practices and adapting to modern practices as defined by their culture.  Indigenous cultures have been surviving long before North America was settled.  They still exist today, but fight for autonomy.   Why?  Why should they have to fight?  Why should they be segregated?  What threats do they pose that are different from any other culture?

It is ironic to think that we have evolved to accept different cultural practices, but fail to respect them.  When we are not connected or related in anyway to others, we cannot lead.  We can see government working with indigenous peoples to achieve a balance, but it is still influenced by government policy and funding.  Who makes the government accountable?  Why do we still have assimilation?  Why does this happen globally?  Why are we constantly struggling for rights? Why does everyone have to fit in to one square box when each individual is unique?  Is it safety?  Is it control?  Is it power?  Is it for the good of the people?  What do we want…knowledge, land, resources, religion?  All of the above. 

How can we make a difference?

Leaders must embrace cultural differences and recognize the opportunities to eliminate segregation and assimilation.  They must lead by example and empower Indigenous people to choose what is best for their people by empowering them to govern their own people. True collaboration between these diverse groups inherently deepens the process to generate new ways to sustain people, in the most basic sense, and their culture.  The advantage is now we must wipe the slate clean and build a relationship from the ground up with new boundaries.  The same needs exist across any culture.  Let’s support future leaders, who have the vision to co-operate together…for the good of the people…for the survival of their people. 

Here are two events you may want to be aware of:

International INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP GATHERING

http://nativejourney.wordpress.com/international-indigenous-leadership-gathering

A ‘Battlestar Galactica’ panel discussion at the United Nations

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/03/battlestar-galactica-united-nations.html

 

Stef

Mamma Mia: Here I go again

After standing in a long lineup at the multiplex movie theatre, we finally got our tickets.  There I was with my mother and father going to “Mamma Mia”.   I felt 8 years old again.  When I was 8 my parents had wine and cheese parties that morphed into dancing, singing, and guitar playing.  When these parties started my sister and I were sent to bed.  But unbeknown to my parents, my sister and I would sometimes sneak downstairs to dance in the living room while everyone was in the basement.  Everyone would laugh and sing and include us if they saw us.  I remember one party in particular that had about 100 people and ABBA songs blaring in the basement.  People filled the house with their love of life.  It was intoxicating for us …without the wine, and for those with wine.  The house was full of innocent excitement.

It was this feeling that surged through my veins last night during a screening of the “Mamma Mia” movie.  The music and storyline captured those memories of when I was 8.  We all have innocent dreams of love and life, and then reality strikes and we do the best we can with the talents and means given to us.  Although the story blended well with ABBA songs, some of the singing was excruciatingly painful; but it didn’t matter.  I was so wrapped up in the show, that I felt I was there.  I found myself relating to the two main female characters because I could relate to young love with life dreams as well as established love that has ended.  The songs elevated my enjoyment …I sang out loud (with my mother) and was dancing in my seat while in the theatre (poor people sitting beside me)…crazy!  I rarely show my emotions especially in public.  Who would’ve thought that such a classic story could still bring out my youthful spontaneous side?  How refreshing!  Music is the magic that cures the heart.

“I Have A Dream” by ABBA

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream

I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality
And my destination makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream

I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream
I’ll cross the stream – I have a dream 

 

 

 

Stef

The Million Dollar Question

While running an afterschool e-journalism club at a local elementary school, the question of the week was…

“If you had a million dollars what would you do?”

This was a hard question to answer.  It wasn’t because I didn’t have an answer, but rather it was that $1,000,000.00 is not a lot of money anymore.  The economy has changed drastically in the last two decades, and the number of people who have a million dollars has increased.  It is more common rather than the exception.

Maybe the question should be…”If you had a billion dollars what would you do?”

Regardless, I will never see a million dollars in my life time unless I win the lotto…highly unlikely cause I never buy a ticket.  Yet, this doesn’t stop me from dreaming.

If I did have a million dollars, I would

• look after my family to make sure a trust fund for health care is established
• buy the land adjacent to our property and renovate our house so each child would have their own room, and there would be two bathrooms
• build my sunroom/studio for my space
• establish an education scholarship for a middle income single parent, who is working and wants a career not a job.
• build a library for a First Nations community that would have huge diverse collection of books, videos, CDs in several different languages.  It would also have computer terminals and labs for conducting experiential learning and training.  This would be hooked into the broadband network, which would be operated and serviced by the community.  It would also have a play room for children under five that would be for discovery and story time.  Another room would be for youth and young adults, which would be a place of comfort, security, mentoring/coaching, and tailored designed by them.
• invest in sustainable “green” solutions by getting legislation passed for electric or solar powered cars, and to make sure the infrastructure is established to support them in Halifax, NS.
• visit the Louvre Museum for 14 days…my dream.

What would you do if you were given a million dollars?

Stef

Elbow Grease

So many North Americans are complacent and apathetic towards taking responsibility for others.  If you are happy then others are happy, but this is not always the case.  Understanding what you do in your piece of the world and how this impacts people on the other side of the world should concern you too.  This applies to lifestyle and workstyle.   

If I could…

I would have solar panels and a residential windmill hooked into my power grid; using less electricity to power appliances and gadgets.  I would like to be working co-operatively with diverse groups of people to achieve better sustainable solutions to reduce emissions without compromising urban conveniences.  If we depend upon others for everything then how will we cope, survive, rebuild when the earth decides to raise its ugly head.  Skills and knowledge to be proactive is essential.

Because I grew up in a rural neighborhood, my lifestyle included

·         energy and water efficient washing machine

·         hanging clothes to dry

·         collecting rainwater for gardening

·         gardening or planting  and/or supporting local vegetable and fruit farms

·         solar windows

·         wind power

·         metro transit, bike, walk, fuel efficient car

·         living near essential services

·         lowering indoor temperature at night and when away at work

·         using blankets, sweaters, and big comfy socks to stay warm inside during winter

·         planning ahead and making home cooked meals to reduce wastage

·         minimal packaging

·         composting

·         recycling  or reusing packaging/products

·         take 5 minute showers

·         play outside

·         using human energy to crank radios, players, flashlights

·         contributing to organizations like Nature’s Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund.

 

Now my lifestyle still includes those things and more…

·         Zenn car – dreaming!  http://www.zenncars.com/

·         conducting virtual buisness and meetings either in Second Life or Elluminate Live

·         organizing and supporting action in my community

·         buy local and preserve for winter

·        using energy efficient lightbulbs -Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED)

·         elbow grease – taking action to make my little piece of the world greener, cleaner, diverse, and natural, which ultimately reduces environmental damage in other parts of the world.

 

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/

http://www.natureconservancy.ca/

http://www.wwf.ca/

http://www.clean.ns.ca/

http://www.wecansolveit.org/

http://www.climatecrisis.net/

http://www.ecologyaction.ca/links.shtm

 

Stef

Pow Wow Trail 2008

Three Feathers sent the following information…passing it along to you.

Pow-Wow Trail Dates and Aboriginal Annual Festival and Celebration Dates and Events 2008. If you have never ever been to a Pow-Wow you should try and attend one. The experience alone will be greatly appreciated. Everyone is most WELCOME. Some Restrictions May Apply. Safe to Call First. Safe Driving. Look out for the DEER and the MOOSE.

Pow-Wow dates are subject to change. Please contact the individual Pow-Wow organizers when making plans to attend such events listed below.

Pow-Wow Trail
… June 7 * Fredericton Native Friendship Centre in New Brunswick ~ (506) 549-5283
… June 7 to 8 * Pictou Landing First Nation Pow-Wow in Nova Scotia ~ Safe Driving
… June 14 * Halifax Native Friendship Centre in Nova Scotia ~ Safe Driving
… June 20 to 22 * Saint Mary’s Pow-Wow Sitansisk (Fredericton) ~ (506) 458-9511
… June 24 to 26 * Youth Gathering and Pow-Wow ~ Grassy Narrows, Ontario (807) 925-2674
… June 27 to 29 * Grassy Narrows Pow-Wow ~ Grassy Narrows, Ontario (807) 925-2163
… June 27 to 29 * Metepenagiag Pow-Wow (Red Bank) ~ (506) 836-6111
… June 27 to 29 * Eskasoni Pow-Wow in Nova Scotia ~ No Phone Number Available
… July 3 to 6 * Pabineau Pow-Wow Oinpegitjoig (Bathurst) MC: Jim Augustine ~ (506) 548-9211
… July 4 to 6 * Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow on Tribal Grounds in Mashpee, Cape Code USA
… July 4 to 6 * Conne River Pow-Wow in Newfoundland ~ No Phone Number Available
… July 11 to 13 * Indian Island Pow-Wow Elno Minigo (Rexton) ~ (506) 523-4875 (No Pow-Wow)
… July 11 to 13 * Paq’tnkek First Nation Pow-Wow in Nova Scotia ~ Safe Driving
… July 12 to 13 * Kahnawake Pow-Wow (Montreal Area off Mercier Bridge) ~ (450) 632-8667
… July 11 to 13 * Abegweit First Nation Pow-Wow (Scotchfort, P.E.I.) ~ Deana (902) 731-2010
… July 18 to 20 * Eel Ground First Nation ~ Natoaganeg (506) 627-4600 (Set Up July 16 to 17)
… July 18 to 20 * Waycobah First Nation Pow-Wow ~ No Phone Number Available
… July 25 to 27 * Tobique First Nation ~ Negootkook (506) 273-5400
… July 25 to 27 * Eel River Bar First Nation ~ Ugpi’ganjig (506) 684-6272
… July 25 to 27 * Kingsclear Pow-Wow ~ Pilick (506) 363-3028
… August 2 to 3 * Listuguj Mi’gmaq Pow-Wow ~ (418) 788-3166 (August 1 * Wellness Fair)
… August 8 to 10 * Millbrook Annual Pow-Wow ~ Truro (902) 897-9199 or 1-800-693-3112
… August 8 to 10 * Passamaquoddy Pow-Wow at Pleasant Point Reserve, Maine USA ~ Sipayik
… August 16 to 17 * P.E.I. Panmure Island Pow-Wow ~ Jamie Gallant (902) 892-5314
… August 18 to 20 * Aroostook Bank of Micmacs Pow-Wow Mawiomi ~ Presque Isle, Maine
… August 22 to 24 * Esgenoopetitj First Nation Pow-Wow ~ Burnt Church (506) 776-1201
… August 22 to 24 * We’ko’kmaq 8th Annual Pow-Wow ~ (Not Sure of Date)
… August 30 to September 1 * Elsipogtog First Nation ~ Big Cove (506) 523-8200

Scroll Down for MORE DETAIL on some Pow-Wow Dates and Events

Aboriginal Annual Festivals and Celebrations
… May 16 to 18 * Metepenagiag Trout Derby ~ Red Bank (506) 836-6111
… July 27 * Saint Anne Festival ~ Kingsclear First Nation (506) 363-3028
… July 27 * Saint Anne Picnic Bazaar ~ Burnt Church (506) 776-1201
… August 30 to September 1 * Tobique Labour Day Festival ~ (506) 273-5400
… September 4 to 7 * Gold River Mawiomi in Nova Scotia
… December 31 to January 1 * Indian Brook Winter New Year’s Gathering

Pow-Wows and Festivals in the USA and Canada
Online Pow-Wow List in the USA
http://www.wanderingbull.com

Canada Pow-Wow Listings
http://www.drumhop.com/capowwow.html

Pow-Wow Listings
http://www.powwows.com

What is Pow-Wow by Three Feathers
http://www.elements.nb.ca/Theme/ethics/pow/wow.htm

The Anishinawbe Pow-Wow Page
http://www.bobgoulais.com/bgc/powwow.htm

California Pow-Wow Listings
http://www.ocbtracker.com/ca.html

Aboriginal Festival in Toronto
November 28 to 30, 2008
The Rogers Centre
http://www.canab.com
________________________________________
More Details of Some Pow-Wows and Events
… July 11 – 13 * Abegweit First Nation 10th Traditional Pow-Wow (Scotchfort, P.E.I.) … The Chief & Council would like to Send out a Warm Welcome to Everyone to Come and Join us in Celebrating our 10th Traditional Pow-Wow. Drummers & Dancers Wanted. Craft Tables: No charge for the weekend. We are asking for a daily donation of a Craft. Food Vendors: No charge for the weekend. No Can or Bottled Pop allowed to be Sold at the Pow-Wow. No Drugs or Alcohol Permitted on Pow-Wow Grounds. Contact: Deana Bernard (902) 676-2353 ext. 201 (8-AM to 4-PM) or (902) 731-2010 (Home) deanabernard@hotmail.com

________________________________________
… June 21 to 27 * Wabanaki Confederacy Conference ~ Hosted by Penobscot Nation (Maine)
… June 28 to 29 * Pow-Wow ~ Hosted by Penobscot Nation (Maine) Bangor Area

Upon Request I will send you Two Attachment Information for the Wabanaki Confederacy Conference and for the Pow-Wow. Tribal: Police (207) 827-7188, Health Clinic (207) 817-7400. Campsites will be Available. Lots of Hotels, Motels, Inns in the Area. Milford Motel (207) 827-3200, Bangor Motor Inn (207) 947-0355, Black Bear Inn (207) 866-7120, Bangor Comfort Inn (207) 942-7899, University Motor Inn (207) 866-4921, Bangor Days Inn (207) 942-8272. Pow-Wow… The general public is invited to attend the Pow-Wow between the hours of 12-NOON to 5-PM. Most events will take place on the Ball Field. In the event of bad weather the Pow-Wow will take place in the Community Building Gym. Please respect the Restriction of Photography and Video taping during certain ceremonies and dances. Sunrise ceremonies daily and sweat lodge ceremonies upon request. Breakfast at 7:30-AM to 9:30-AM and Supper at 5-PM to 7-PM.

For More Information http://www.penobscotnation.org
Contact penobscotpowwow@yahoo.com

________________________________________
… May 29 to June 1 * Wabanaki Women’s Gathering Workshop ~ Eel River Bar First Nation. For More Information Contact: glendawysote@msn.com or Peggy Labillois (506) 684-6272. Limited Space to 100 Women. Agenda will be Out Soon.

________________________________________
… June 21 * National Aboriginal Day in Canada. Most all Aboriginal Communities across Canada have events celebrating Aboriginal Day. Call your local Chamber of Commerce to find out When and Where are the Celebrations.

________________________________________
… July 12 to 13 * Kahnawake Pow-Wow (Montreal Area off Mercier Bridge) Kahnawake Mohawk Territory Just 10 miles south of Montreal Routes 132 & 138 (off Mercier Bridge) Public Transportation available. General Public Welcome. NO DRUGS, ALCOHOL or PETS. General admission $7.00 and 5 and under FREE, 60 and over $3.00… Gates open: 9-AM on Saturday and 9-AM on Sunday. Dance Competition begins at: 1-PM and 7-PM Saturday 12-NOON Sunday. Free Friday Night Social at 7-PM Hosted by Kahnawake Cultural Center. Handicapped Facilities Available. Pow-Wow Office Monday to Friday 9-AM to 4-PM (450) 632-8667 or info@hahnawakepowwow.com

________________________________________
… August 8 to 10 * Passamaquoddy Pow-Wow at Pleasant Point Reserve, Maine USA ~ Sipayik. Contact: Jackie Lola (207) 796-2600 for Vendor Space. Everyone is Welcome. Sunday, August 10 is the Big Day. Social Dancing Every Night with Fireworks on Saturday, August 9th. Come One Come All. Camping Space will be Available.

________________________________________
Other Sites to Enjoy

Pabineau First Nation
http://www.pabineaufirstnation.ca

Chapel Island First Nation
Pow-Wow and Mid-Winter Feast
http://potlotek.ca/cifn/powwow.html

Related Mi’kmaq Sites
http://www.bigcoveband.com/related.htm

Indian Country Web Site
http://www.indiancountry.com

Alliance and Renewal
The Treaty of Watertown 1776
http://www.watertowntreaty.org/alliance.htm

Bear Claw Jewelry
http://www.bearclawjewelry.com

Wolf Creek Traders
Brenda Wade & John Cook
http://www.wolfcreektraders.com

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads
Grants Pass, Oregon
http://www.firemountaingems.com

Indian Craftsmen of Quebec
Outside of Quebec City
http://www.nativecraftmen.com

John Bead Corporation
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.johnbead.com

Native Reflections Catalogue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
http://www.nativereflections.com

Penzeys Spices
Brookfield, Wisconsin
http://www.penzeys.com

Author of Mother Earth Spirituality
Ed McGaa Eagle Man (Oglala)
Phone (605) 673-5238
P.O. Box 725
Custer, SD
57730
USA
eagleman4@aol.com
http://www.edmcgaa.com
http://www.tribalconnections.org

Elder’s Mediation of the Day
http://whitebison.org/meditation/index.php

Mi’kmaq Resource Centre, The Mi’kmaq People,
About the Mi’kmaq Resource Centre, Other
Topical Sites, Mi’kmaq College Institute.
http://mrc.uccb.ns.ca/default.htm

We Were Not the Savages: A Micmac Perspective on
the Collision of European and Aboriginal Civilizations.
By Author Daniel N. Paul (Daniel’s Web-Site)
http://www.danielnpaul.com

Here is a Web-Site on… First Nation Home-Page-Links, First Nation
Organizations, Government, Treaties, Law and Land Claims, Royal
Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Education and Culture, Training,
Publications and Newspapers, Economic Development and Tourism,
Location of Reservations, Directory, Native Links, And Much More.
http://www.johnco.com/nativel/
http://www.johnco.com/firstnat/

Information About Bald Eagles
http://www.baldeagleinfo.com

Sensing Art and Music

Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944)
Transverse Line, 1923
141 x 202 cm
Oil on canvas
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, Dusseldorf

 

 

 

 With fused senses Elisabeth Sulser has an amazing gift to see words and hear sounds with colors, shapes and tastes.  She is called a Synaesthete.  There are others, like her, who see colors and shapes, but not tastes when they hear music or words.  Elisabeth is unique among Synaesthetes.  She can see colors, shapes and taste flavors depending on the words or music.  Scientists are working with Synaesthetes from around the world to isolate the gene that causes this rare and amazing fusion.

“Dr. Jäncke speculates that synaesthetes may have a superior ability to learn, as the basic principle of connecting or associating an item with several other items is strongly linked to memory and creativity.”
~Discovery Channel, 2008~

If scientists find the gene and can successfully genetically alter human life with this fusion, the world will have a new species.  As a result a wider genetic divide will occur.  Only the wealthy would be able to provide their offspring with this type of memory and creativity. 

Thinking out loud…

We already have a social-ecomonic gap in every urban and populated centre.  The wealthy have the power based on education, research, and election to envision, influence, and act on, credible information that drives our everyday systems, whether biological or mechanical, forward. The power of a Synaesthete may be a building block that opens an area of the brain to higher consciousness.  The ability to interpret environments on a completely different level may open channels to extrasensory and kinetic awareness and manipulation.  The ability to understand and harness this synaptic energy may be the birth of telepathic communication with multi-dimensional species.  Accordingly, the privilege of having this gift is similar to monarchs.  Synaesthetes would be entrusted and obliged to protect the non-synaesthetes peoples and the world that surrounds them.  The people of the earth evolve again.  A new world order.

http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows/castdetails.aspx?cid=4609&sid=4399

Stef

Real Superhumans

Everyone has a special talent, but some have extraordinary talents.  I always believed there were people walking among us that understand their world differently.  These people have special abilities to use their minds to adapt and interpret their environment differently than most people.  Discovery Channel has produced a show called “The Real Superhumans” –

http://www.discoverychannel.ca/shows/castlist.aspx?sid=4399

 

The show follows four superhumans: a synaesthete (she was my favorite), blind artist, human calculator, and iceman.

I went to the Discovery Channel website to learn more and found a memory game.  It has 10 levels.  Each completed level calculates time and points, and if you complete level 10 you will get a cumulative time and score.  Then your results are plotted on a line graph to indicate if you are superhuman.

http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/realsuperhumans/

I completed all 10 levels in 3:03 with a score 82700.  My results were plotted just shy of Superhuman….hehehehe.  My family wouldn’t believe me…too many learning problems to be almost superhuman.  Nevertheless, it was fun.

Stef

Fruits of labour

The longest day of the year- Summer Solstice.  I always celebrate with fresh picked strawberries from the valley.  It is truly the start of summer.  Because it is the longest day of the year, it is also the day the sun stands still.  It then begins the journey to the most southern extremes.  The days will begin to shorten.  The upside is that the weather is typically sunny and warm, farm fresh produce is regularly available, and many days are spent at the beach or cottage.  Happily, this makes the transition endurable.

Here’s to the beginning of warm nights by the crackling campfire devouring nature’s harvest.

 

 

Stef