Morning Blessings, Hope, and Possibility

I love experiences that fill me with a sense of hope and possibility. One such experience is sitting outside in the mountains of my beloved Yakama homeland. I’ll share with you a few of the blessings who surround me: Breathing in the fresh, crisp forest air, the kind of clean air that lifts your spiritsContinue reading “Morning Blessings, Hope, and Possibility”

What the World Needs

What the world needs is love–powerful, fierce, quiet, flowing, generous, abundant love.  Love you can swim in.  Like Nch’i Wána (Columbia River).  She gathers up gifts and returns them one hundred fold.  She nourishes us.  She and her tributary sisters have carved the landscape we know best.  She sustains us.  What the world needs isContinue reading “What the World Needs”

Beautiful Time of Preparation

I’ve been too busy lately. I can feel this in my shoulders and neck. I’m craving a slower pace–more spaciousness and sweet, easy fun. Space in my calendar. Space to breathe on my journey of life. I know this feeling. I know it’s time to pause from the busyness of life and do one thing.Continue reading “Beautiful Time of Preparation”

Warm Welcome

Yesterday in our Sapsik’ʷałá Seminar, Yakama Elder and “Super Auntie” Tux̱ámshish Dr. Virginia Beavert reminded us about the importance of welcoming students to our classrooms and welcoming guests to our meetings. She encouraged us to make sure people have water to drink and a little snack–something low in sugar, as so many people struggle withContinue reading “Warm Welcome”

Ancient Teachers

To celebrate the publication of Huckleberries and Coyotes, I took a break yesterday afternoon. We went over to Florence so I could walk on the beach and see the big, big Pacific Ocean. So gorgeous. Vast. Strong. Yesterday, as is often the case, it was windy on the Oregon Coast. I knew this might be,Continue reading “Ancient Teachers”