Remains of Native Americans at Rest Again at Angel Mounds
Angel Mounds, outside of Evansville, was a bustling trading hub for Native American people prior to European colonization. Historian Laura Martinez writes about the recent repatriation of the remains of 700 individuals that were excavated from the site in the 1900s — and how, even at sacred places like Angel Mounds, the spiritual practices of Native Americans are still violated.
Click here to read about Angel Mounds.
Big Mike’s B-town: Abegunde, Writing to Heal
Dr. Maria Hamilton Abegunde has been given many names, each one representative of her own history, her family’s history, and her Yoruba cultural heritage. And, like her names, Abegunde’s work represents the personal and the historical. LP columnist Michael G. Glab talks with the poet and scholar about her work with healing and social justice.
Click here to read the full story.
Standing Rock Protestors: ‘Water Is Life’
Protestors at Standing Rock in North Dakota have a simple message: “Mni Wiconi” — Water is life. Or as Laura Martinez, a Bloomington resident and citizen of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, writes, "Life cannot exist without water. We can survive without oil by investing in renewable energy, but we cannot sustain life without clean water."
Click here to read the full story.
Powwow Keeps Native American Heritage Alive
Drums beating, feathers flying, hearts racing, spirits soaring — Indiana University’s 5th Annual Traditional Powwow at Alumni Hall this past weekend welcomed dancers, drummers, singers, and other performers from across the land. Miles Reiter filmed the event, which is more than just a social gathering — it’s a ritual of many tribes keeping their heritages alive.
Click here to watch the video.
Finding Hope in South Sudan: Part 1 Getting the Story Out
Will and Theresa Reed moved to South Sudan in 2014 to help the new nation with community development work, mainly to train teachers and build agricultural projects. When conflict in their village erupted, they had to leave their new friends behind. Will, a Bloomington native, tells the story of persecution in the worn-torn country — and the struggle in not allowing the suffering of so many remain someone else’s problems.
Click here to read the full story.
Can Yoga Save the World?
Yoga is an ancient practice that has found a purpose in modern times — many purposes, really, with a new type of practice springing up seemingly every week. Yoga practitioner and teacher Samantha Eibling takes you on a path to the origin of yoga, when it was only an oral tradition, to its current state of many incarnations. Along the way, she enlightens you with the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga that could save the world — or just yourself.
Click here to read the full story.