Jackie is my check and balance, and she is also my Storytexter. What I mean by this centers on the idea of memory, and how such memories are different for each person. When we were growing up, the stories my Grandmother told us evolved throughout time. In fact, they evolved each night when my grandmother told us these stories. Jackie reminded me that when my grandmother wanted to imply a moral code, she would embed such morality into her storytelling.
There have been articles written throughout the years how the death of the oral tradition has been linked to the death of a cultural identity. In Alaska, there have been movements to preserve many of the Alaskan native languages. We have museums that archive and preserve recordings of our Alaskan elders--some have long ago … Continue reading The Evolution of Oral Tradition
For "A Reason For Being"... Let me begin by stating that thesis defenses for a Master in Fine Arts is no joke. I am still in a blank space attempting to comprehend all the little bits and pieces of the defense. There were questions left, and right by my committee members--and they were unbelievably amazing--because … Continue reading The Thesis Defense..
A note of remembrance: the last section of the memoir ends with me sitting in the boarding area eerily by myself. I have never returned to Kennewick, Washington after we buried my Aunt. I believe it's because the memories there are meant to be encapsulated within that time, and visiting would create a disruption. … Continue reading In the end.. (excerpt from “A Reason For Being”)
Ask every immigrant what ‘port of entry’ meant and they will have a story to tell. These stories could be an anthology of the adventures that happened when they left their home country for their new one in America. A feeling of leaving everything behind and coming face to face with being reborn. The chance to create a new life.
Fe I was once told of a story about my grandmother, Fe. She was spending the night at their field house. The field house was where her husband had the grove workers (all men) sleep overnight to keep an eye out for any intruders that may step into their land. Her husband Kiko fired the … Continue reading Fe (excerpt from A Reason For Being)
The Echo Muse 