Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 16:22:38 -0800
From: Lawrence Rae <pastorae@bc.sympatico.ca>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: baidarka Re[2]: Inuit Cosmology
I think what has kept me lurking in the background of this list for the last 8
months or so (not including the excellent technical discussion of the building
of various "baidarkas?" is the great deal of speculative discussion around the
culture and thought and habits of the original builders of the craft. I have
yet to see anyone's comment name itself as the end-all and be-all of
information. Rather, I have seen a lot of humility and consideration for other
ideas and perspectives. Don't let anyone's pronouncement or censure prohibit
good, even though not perfect, dialogue.
Liking what I have read and learned,
Lawrence Rae
wmsahli@interaccess.com wrote:
> Probably putting my 2 cents worth in where it is not wanted, however,
> several brief points. It is by speculating about the "otherness" of other
> cultures that any "real" understanding, however limited , of them is gained.
> Not being a part of the culture in question makes for real difficulties in
> understanding. Should we then stop speculating about other cultures? Only if
> we are interested in seeing a global mono-culture.
>
> Second, as the author's name is MacDonald, which, if I am not mistaken is
> not an Inuit last name (I speak only of the man's last name, not knowing if
> he is Inuit or not) I personally would question the statement "he knows of
> what he speaks". He can only claim 2nd hand knowledge of what he speaks, at
> best.
>
> Speculation into what motivates the actions of members of other cultures is
> a good, positive thing. I have not read any statements made by anyone on
> this list that claimed to be gospel facts. It has been intelligent guess
> work, and shows a true interest in a very fragile culture.
>
> I for one enjoy the speculative nature of the threads on this group.
>
> Having Much Too Much Fun,
>
> Will Sahli
>
> Who majored in cultural anthropology before realizing that he couldn't make
> a living at it
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gene Smith [mailto:SmithFrow@worldnet.att.net]
> Sent: Friday, January 08, 1999 10:17 AM
> To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
> Subject: Re: baidarka Re[2]: Inuit Cosmology
>
> Ouch! I certainly feel chastened. Had a look at the review mentioned -
> very interesting. Sounds like a fine book. I think I will pass however, as
> I just don't feel that as a representative of the anglophonic overlordship
> of the planet I'll really be able to grasp it anyway. I'd probably just
> think I did until someone was kind enough to disabuse me of the notion. So,
> no more Eskimo talk from me! I'm going to get back to my proper place in
> the great scheme of things and go consume some natural resources. If I fire
> up the Blazer, I can do that *and* pollute at the same time. It's what we
> Texans call a win-win situation. Happy trails, y'all!
>
> Gene Smith
> humbled in Houston
>
> >The book in question is 'The Arctic Sky: Inuit Astronomy, Star Lore, and
> >Legend', written by John MacDonald. It's published by the Royal Ontario
> Museum,
> >ISBN:0888544278. This title is available through Amazon.com and the listing
> >there has a nice review of the book that was published in Nunatsiaq News.
> > John runs the Nunavut Research Institute located in Igloolik, NWT and
> he
> >knows of what he speaks. He was as some of you may note a contributor to
> Arima's
> >'Contributions to..' volume. It is a worthy book and he deals with material
> that
> >would be interest to readers of this list. Reading a John's book would be
> an
> >anodyne to the well intended but speculative pronouncements about native
> >cosmology that occur with some frequency on this list.
> > Yours, Vernon Doucette