Category Archives: Block 3: 2011-12

Since the very first reading of the class, Eliade’s idea of chora and kairos has been a motif for me.  These terms are respectively place and moments with unrepeatable emotional significance.  I have had chora and kairos countless times from … Continue reading →

I have been talking about the connection I felt with the whole class ever since we were up on pine ridge. This connection is completely organic and positive in nature. I have felt that the emotions everybody is feeling has … Continue reading →

As I spoke the things I am grateful for a few hours ago, I looked around the circle and was overwhelmed with gratitude toward Solinda for the prompting and to the class for listening.  Gratitude is something people talk about … Continue reading →

On Saturday night, I attended the CC vs. University of North Dakota hockey game at the World Arena. Whenever UND scored a goal, fans would stand up, chanting “Sioux!” Jerseys, worn by fans, displayed a picture of an Indian Chief. … Continue reading →

Though we were not able to formally discuss Native American experiences in higher education, reading these articles gave me an understanding of the discrimination evident in the education system. Devon A. Mihesuah’s article, “Native Student, Faculty, and Staff Experiences in … Continue reading →

While there are certainly a multitude of tangled, opposing and inexplicably linked emotions running through my head about our experience at Pine Ridge, one thing is clear to me: as people from a very different society and way of life, … Continue reading →

            The question of authenticity was an incredibly conflicting factor in my hesitations about the journey to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. My confliction really grew in the van driving to South Dakota … Continue reading →

I was prepared for spiritual enlightenment at Pine Ridge. I had heard stories from friends who took the class in previous years about magical, mystical transformations and looked forward to my own. I entered the sweat lodge in this mindheartspirit … Continue reading →

A lot of things have happened to me this past week. I felt as if I was climbing a mountain of emotional stress, exhausting but worthwhile finally on its peak. The past weekday, I had spent my time on the … Continue reading →