Anthropologists- seems like people either love them or hate them-was having a conversation with someone about the subject of anthropology and they happened to ask what I thought of Russell’s rants about anthropology and his attempts to cast himself as being a greater authority.
In response I brought up Joe Medicine Crow-a 98 year old Blackfoot elder, last traditional war chief, tribal historian, and anthropologist, I suggested Russell should attempt to run his “theories” by Joe.
I believe it serves an obvious purpose for the nations to have anthropologists such as Medicine Crow to insure a
diverse and ethnically oriented approach-one that brings insight and traditional understanding into the mix.
One that would also have an acute understanding of the relationship of indigenous people and ecosystems.
Aldo Leopold penned an essay entitled “Thinking Like a Mountain” wherein he expressed the belief that the extinctions of biodiversity create a threat as lethal as thermonuclear war.
He further stated that”In Wildness is the salvation of the Earth and the preservation of all life,long known among mountains and wolves…but seldom perceived by man.” Think like a mountain; think like a wolf; think like the Earth.”
This is something we as a people have long known, but a wisdom that is being eroded.
In the final analysis I would say if offered a choice between Russell and Medicine Crow as to credibility,Russell
isn’t even an also ran.
Love this quote, Russell could learn from this too.
“ No one wins [in war]. Both sides lose. The Indians, so called hostiles, won the battle of the day, but lost their way of life. ”
Good quote-does it reference the Big Horn?
As to Russell the victory he has always sought is that of personal
monetary gain and celebrity status – the only area he has a measure
of success in.
I believe so, not exactly sure where the quote came from. But it’s applicable in many battles. The Cherokee supreme court battle against the new echota treaty is an entirely different sort of battle, but with the same result grandfather joe mentioned.
We won the court battle and the military came in anyway, took our homes, lands, possessions. We thought playing by their rules would keep us safe, but we were wrong. We didn’t know enough about the enemy at our doorstep. Most still don’t.
There’s a video on YouTube where grandfather joe says his tribal and roman name is joe medicine crow, interesting that he didn’t say English, European, white, or any of the other terms used. Maybe he has seen the tracks in the books as well.
such the good man this one medicine crow and the need for
more like this one.
We have bee hives, and the lack of Bio diversity is contributing to the decline of everything. Miles of same crops is a desert for pollen & nectar feeders, (& more) for it only blooms once a season, then nothing else.
As always, Good post, thank you
Bees-without them nothing would exist as we know it, and gratifying to
hear you tend them.
An excellent point about large areas of land dedicated to a single
crop-thanks for making it.