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Blue Ecology: Interweaving forms of expression

Blue Ecology: Interweaving forms of expression. Michael Blackstock ( Ama Goodim Gyet ): Independent Scholar. Gitxsan: People of the River of Mist.

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Blue Ecology: Interweaving forms of expression

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  1. Blue Ecology: Interweaving forms of expression Michael Blackstock (AmaGoodimGyet): Independent Scholar Gitxsan: People of the River of Mist "The blood that runs through the veins, are the rivers that run through Mother Earth. People need to understand that, without that life giving water, there will be nothing." (Chief Gwininitxw, Yvonne Lattie, Gitxsan Nation) Presented on March 23, 2012 Emily Carr University of the Arts + Design

  2. Agenda Acknowledging Coast Salish Hosts and Elders What is water? Interweaving Ways of Knowing Water a cross-cultural comparison Blue Ecology Vision and Principles Interweaving Forms of Expression

  3. Acknowledging Elders

  4. What is Water? Water is the essential lifeblood of our planet, with the power to generate, sustain, receive and ultimately unify life (UNESCO-IHP Expert Advisory Group on Water and Cultural Diversity). A Deceptively Simple Question… Ethnographic Research • Seven Elders from Seven Nations • Twelve Years of Independent Research • Ethical and consent based • Peer reviewed • First Nations reviewed Water is a chemical compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen. The name water typically refers to the liquid state of the compound (Chemistry @About.com)..

  5. Annie “Paingut” Peterloosie Water and Icebergs The icebergs are very big. They are good drinking water from the sea salt. They are not to be played with. They are not to be shot at. They are not to be broken down, when played with. Our Inuit ancestors Told us not to break them And near the edge of the ice Were told not to camp there Because it might break Inuit were told not to sleep overnight And they were told not to urinate Because it would soil them and are vulnerable It does not want to get dirty Because it is believed that there are people in it. It is true.

  6. Science Taxonomic Cause and effect based Mind vs Matter. Mind: “that which thinks and wills” matter: “that of which we become cognizant through the medium of senses” (Ganot1863) Abiotic (physical) vs biotic Theological Man vs Nature origins in Genesis I Man Dominates Nature Man conquers Nature Man against Nature Roots of Western Dichotomy

  7. Environmental Policy Pyramid

  8. Comparison of water views Indigenous Western Science • Integrative • water has a spirit (biotic) • water is the heart of an ecosystem pumping the life blood • Groundwater is very important: can offer spiritual power • Taxonomic • water is abiotic • water is a physical material that assists the living organisms in an ecosystem • Dichotomies • mind/matter • biotic/abiotic • organic/inorganic

  9. Sentient Being: • A characteristic of a sentient being is it’s ability to form relationships with other beings.

  10. Two Water Worlds • Blue Ecology Water Cycle • Companion to Western Science’s model • Western Science’s Water Cycle • A Companion to Blue Ecology Water Cycle (USGS version)

  11. Blue Ecology Vision and Principles Sustainable Survival: survival with dignity • Vision: • Principles • Spirit, harmony, Respect, Unity and Balance An ecological philosophy, which emerged from interweaving First Nations and Western thought, that acknowledges water’s (i.e. fresh and salt) essential rhythmical life-spirit and central functional role in generating, sustaining, receiving and ultimately unifying life on Earth Mother.

  12. Interweaving Forms of Expression Tailor one message into multiple media First, I conduct rigourous and ethical research, from an indigenous perspective. My findings are then formally presented in academic peer reviewed journals and books, and to First Nations communities for acceptance. This is a double-validity test. Next, I translate my research for a broader audience into poetry and visual arts. My main audience is yet unborn. They are future generations who will have very little time to make monumental environmental decisions. They will need a pre-built foundation to work from.

  13. Social Science Research Peer Reviewed and First Nations Community Reviewed

  14. UNESCO-IHP Expert Advisory Group on Water and Cultural Diversity

  15. Poetic Expression Very similar to First Nations storytelling traditions

  16. Visual Expression Photography, carving, painting and prints

  17. Meandering flow form By Michael Blackstock

  18. Adams River Sockeye Spawning Channel By Michael D. Blackstock

  19. Adams River Sockeye II By Michael D. Blackstock

  20. Offerings at Sacred Spring, Hat Creek Valley, BC By Michael D. Blackstock

  21. Salmon Prince: Silkscreen Print By Michael Blackstock

  22. Solstice: multimedia Michael Blackstock and AnneroseGeorgeson

  23. Mirrored Sockeye By Michael D. Blackstock

  24. Ice Feathers, Lac Le Jeune, BC By Michael D. Blackstock

  25. Hope Water connects and unifies cultures and generations

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