Artistic Responses

It was so cool to see everyone's artistic responses today! People came up with really creative ideas, and each person seemed to have really thought about it seriously. It was interesting to see that everyone got to learn something new about Native Americans this quarter, and that they were able to show that in their  responses.
To be honest, I never really had interest in Native Americans until this quarter, and without the assignment of writing a research paper on them, I probably would have never made the effort to learn about them. But I have to say i have enjoyed the process of doing the research for my paper! I have learned soo much and it made me realize how much we do not know about our own nation and its history. Some reservations really need tons of help, and even though I personally cant do much by myself, I think just being aware of these circumstances is a very important thing.

I'm so glad Kohl, Paco, and Jordan could come last week and talk again. It's always interesting to hear about what they have to say. Thanks again!

Japan 9.0M Earthquake

Hey guys, I'm sure you've heard about the huge earthquake in Japan. I used to live in Tokyo until three years ago and everything I'm seeing on the news just seems so unreal... There wasn't too much damage in Tokyo where my grandparents and all of my friends live, but they were all shaken up by the experience. It was big enough for them not be able to keep standing during the quake, so even if there wasn't much damage, it was pretty big. Plus, they've been having after shocks often, and are still having them.  My dad's cousin lived where the tsunami hit and we can't get a hold of his family yet... he owned a rice field and we're suspecting his house and all of his land is now covered in water. My heart just feels soo heavy because I really cant do anything to help!!!

Also, seeing this happen to Japan makes me think how much I need to appreciate each day I'm given and to really make the most of it. Please continue to pray for Japan. They really need it...

Reflecting on Paco and Kohl's speech!

It was very interesting to listen to Kohl and Paco speak in our class. I think many of us have never really heard personal experiences of Native Americans, such as how they were raised and what they were taught as they grew up. I also thought it was interesting how Paco talked about feeling like he didn't belong to either Native American or American cultures. I've never given it much thought, but I realized I've been feeling that way most of my life! I lived in Japan for 10 years, from age 6 to 16, and just moved back here about 3 years ago. In Japan being half Japanese half American was not too common, and although I wasn't treated badly in anyway, my friends always saw me as a foreigner. After I moved back to America 3 years ago, since i had grew up as a Japanese I was like a foreigner here as well. I've gotten used to the American culture by going to school and working and stuff, but I just thought it was interesting that listening to Paco talk about not fitting into any culture made me think about my life and relate to his. Overall, it was really interesting to listening to Paco and Kohl. Thank you so much for coming and being honest!

A little bit about Snoqualmie Tribe

"Snoqualmie" means "moon" in Lushootseed (which is the language they speak), and so they often call themselves "people of the moon." Their current population is approximately 650, however they used to be the largest tribe in the Northwest with 4000 members. They made their living by hunting deer, elk, and other game animals, fishing for salmon and gathering berries and fruits for food and medicinal purposes.

In 1855, the chief of the Snoqualmie tribe signed the Point Elliott Treaty and ceded all of the tribe's land to the U.S. government. They were to move on to the Tulalip reservation, and most of the current Snoqualmie people still live there. They also lost federal recognition in 1953, and regained it only 10 years ago. The Snoqualmie Tribe is very poor, so because of that they opened a casino a couple years ago, and also make most of their annual budget off salmon bake sales at the Evergreen State Fair.