Members - The Gandhi-King Community
http://gandhiking.ning.com/profile/LeslynWong
May 25, 2009
From Charleen Touchette
New Mexico Coordinator Realizing the Dream
_Santa Fe, New Mexico -
_ ---Leslyn Wong who does such good work at Realizing the Dream Inc sent this link to The Ghandi-King Community.
Please consider joining this group dedicated to "Continuing a tradition of nonviolent transformation inspired by the ideas of Mohandas K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr.
True peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice. " Dr. Martin Luther Jr
"Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit." Mohandas K. Ghandi
"Peace, is not only the goal, it is also the way." Martin Luther King III in a Jun2 1007 speech to Israeli Knesset.
"If there is to be peace in the world,There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,There must be peace in the heart."
Lao-Tse - 6th century bce
The words of Dr. King Jr., Ghandi , Lao-Tse and Martin Luther King III echo the teachings of indigenous elders throughout the Americas.
Lakotah elder Black Elk said "The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us."
Work for justice. It is the path to peace.
THINK ENERGY, FREQUENCY AND VIBRATION... Join Artist/Author/Activist Charleen Touchette at the Heart of the Mountain to Connect the Circle.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
New Review of It Stops with Me by Charleen Touchette
Posted on Marjorie Simmins - Memoirs and More
Memoir Journal: I
MSVU Memoir Journal
MSVU Memoir Journal
by Marjorie Simmins
18 May 2009
"The latest: It Stops with Me: Memoirs of a Canuck Girl, by Charleen Touchette. Finally, some solid writing. Touchette is also a gifted visual artist and includes black and white and colour prints of her paintings in the book. As well, she is a curator, an educator, an activist and freelance writer. She has numerous book titles to her name, many with feminist perspectives, others that explore issues of cultural, religious and historical identities.
I don’t think Touchette and I would be best friends; this woman takes her politics very seriously and for all that she says she loves to laugh and enjoy life, her childhood was so bleak, violent and confusing, that it takes very bit of her sane self to keep the tortured self from imposing permanent depressions and mental and physical dysfunctions of all sorts.
That said, I have huge admiration for someone who has done as much as this woman has done, and succeeded in so many areas. I also admire someone who, as a young adult, chose a resoundingly sane and loving man with whom to share her life and make a family. If anyone could be forgiven for having chosen an unkind life partner, it would be Touchette. And yet she bypassed entirely the common pattern of abused children growing up to choose abusive partners. Now that’s a person who somehow protected her absolute core of sanity - against all odds.
It was a lovely and at the same disturbing read. My only criticism is the odd coyness about revealing the extent of her father’s sexual abuse. She builds up the tension in this regard again and again - in the art work and in the prose - but never flat-out says that she was raped, although this is intimated.
Likewise, she often repeats that the time was not right to tell her parents about the abuse (that would be tell her mother and confront her father) and the reader is left to guess that she never did tell them directly, but did show the art work around the country and beyond, and of course publish the memoir.
Again, you feel as the the entire book is building towards a showdown with the father - and yet this never occurs. Mind you, I don’t blame her for avoiding/putting off a showdown. The father remains a right prick throughout her life, for all that his violent ways tone down with age. It’s just that the story feels strangely climax-less - especially for a book that builds towards a climax almost from the first page.
All of which makes me sad. It seems that no matter how successful Touchette is, how brilliantly she has created and maintained a happy and healthy family life of her own, her fear of her father still dictates major decisions in her life. There are too many points I end up guessing about. Did she decide the pain of confrontation was not worth whatever good and liberating feelings she might receive back? Did the love she had for her mother get in the way of confronting the father? Was her mother’s role in the abuse (pretending it didn’t happen, looking the other way, blaming Touchette for the violence her father metes out to her) far too upsetting to explore in a meaningful way?
In the end consideration, I am not sure how I feel about the book."
"The latest: It Stops with Me: Memoirs of a Canuck Girl, by Charleen Touchette. Finally, some solid writing. Touchette is also a gifted visual artist and includes black and white and colour prints of her paintings in the book. As well, she is a curator, an educator, an activist and freelance writer. She has numerous book titles to her name, many with feminist perspectives, others that explore issues of cultural, religious and historical identities.
I don’t think Touchette and I would be best friends; this woman takes her politics very seriously and for all that she says she loves to laugh and enjoy life, her childhood was so bleak, violent and confusing, that it takes very bit of her sane self to keep the tortured self from imposing permanent depressions and mental and physical dysfunctions of all sorts.
That said, I have huge admiration for someone who has done as much as this woman has done, and succeeded in so many areas. I also admire someone who, as a young adult, chose a resoundingly sane and loving man with whom to share her life and make a family. If anyone could be forgiven for having chosen an unkind life partner, it would be Touchette. And yet she bypassed entirely the common pattern of abused children growing up to choose abusive partners. Now that’s a person who somehow protected her absolute core of sanity - against all odds.
It was a lovely and at the same disturbing read. My only criticism is the odd coyness about revealing the extent of her father’s sexual abuse. She builds up the tension in this regard again and again - in the art work and in the prose - but never flat-out says that she was raped, although this is intimated.
Likewise, she often repeats that the time was not right to tell her parents about the abuse (that would be tell her mother and confront her father) and the reader is left to guess that she never did tell them directly, but did show the art work around the country and beyond, and of course publish the memoir.
Again, you feel as the the entire book is building towards a showdown with the father - and yet this never occurs. Mind you, I don’t blame her for avoiding/putting off a showdown. The father remains a right prick throughout her life, for all that his violent ways tone down with age. It’s just that the story feels strangely climax-less - especially for a book that builds towards a climax almost from the first page.
All of which makes me sad. It seems that no matter how successful Touchette is, how brilliantly she has created and maintained a happy and healthy family life of her own, her fear of her father still dictates major decisions in her life. There are too many points I end up guessing about. Did she decide the pain of confrontation was not worth whatever good and liberating feelings she might receive back? Did the love she had for her mother get in the way of confronting the father? Was her mother’s role in the abuse (pretending it didn’t happen, looking the other way, blaming Touchette for the violence her father metes out to her) far too upsetting to explore in a meaningful way?
In the end consideration, I am not sure how I feel about the book."
___________________________
Posted May 21, 2009 by TouchArt Books
It Stops with Me by Charleen Touchette was banned at her hometown library in 2005. Touchette's Memoir of a Canuck Girl was on the ALA (American Library Association) 2006 Banned Book List. Bard College President Leon Botstein advocated for the book ban of It Stops with Me writing in December 2005, "it does not deserve First Amendment Protection." The ALA, PEN, USA, PEN American Center and the R.I. ACLU disagreed and launched a letter-writing campaign in support of It Stops with Me and against censorship and the book ban and It Stops with Me was reinstated to circulation at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library.
See also -
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It Stops with Me Subject of Franco-American Literature Scholars
_____________________________
See -
"Presence Visible et Invisible de La Langue Francaise Dans La Litterature Franco-Americaine Contemporaine" by Peggy Pacini - Universite de la Sorbonne Paris IV
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day Painting for Everyone
Mother's Day Painting for Everyone
Every year, I give a painting to everyone to use in their good work for mothers and families.
"Mothers Call Home the Bees" by Charleen Touchette 2009
One year, a Birth Center in Atlanta, Georgia put my painting of Nursing Mothers on a mug they gave to new mothers to encourage breastfeeding and increased breasfeeding in their community by 50 %.Hope you will use 2009's Mother's Day painting "Mothers Call Home the Bees" for mothers and families in your community.
One Earth. Think About It.
Wish all mothers and their families a day and year full of light, love and laughter.
Peace,
Charleen Touchette
http://www.touchart.net/
http://www.oneearthblog.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Realizing the Dream Remembers the Honorable Jack Kemp
Chantal Pierre at Realizing the Dream in Atlanta just sent this message from Martin Luther King III on the passing of the Honorable Jack Kemp.
______________________________
Posted by Charleen Touchette NM Coordinator Realizing the Dream
______________________________
Realizing the Dream Remembers
the Honorable Jack Kemp
Realizing the Dream Remembers the Honorable Jack Kemp
______________________________
Posted by Charleen Touchette NM Coordinator Realizing the Dream
______________________________
Realizing the Dream Remembers
the Honorable Jack Kemp
Realizing the Dream Remembers the Honorable Jack Kemp
There are few leaders that see truth and justice as ideas not only to be respected, but also lived. The world has lost one such leader in the passing of the Honorable John "Jack" Kemp. He leaves behind a 40 year legacy of public service highlighted by his passion for advocating policies that benefit, not just the average citizen, but also America's forgotten many who live on the margins of our economy.
Secretary Kemp was a good friend of my mother's and one of the few politicians who understood and practiced my father's belief in putting the people before party or self-interest. He was once quoted saying, "I wasn't there with Rosa Parks or Dr. King or John Lewis. But I am here now and I'm going to yell from the rooftops about what we need to do." He remained true to that promise pushing race relations and anti-poverty initiatives when it was unpopular to do so, supporting affirmative action and sanctions against South Africa's apartheid government.
Kemp was an active member of Realizing the Dream's Advisory Board, lending his invaluable knowledge to the dialogue on redressing poverty at this past October's annual Summit to Realize the Dream. His perspective as a conservative politician genuinely concerned with the plight of the poor and oppressed is a testament to the belief that truth knows no racial, partisan or class barriers.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Kemp was adamant about his party's need to be more inclusive to minorities and underrepresented groups. He remained a supporter of civil rights throughout his career, counting leaders of all faiths, parties and ethnicities as close friends and allies. Kemp utilized his resources as Secretary of HUD to stem discriminatory tactics by lenders and insurers, advocate for poor tenants and equal housing opportunity. He recognized that the American dream could not be divorced from alleviating poverty, inequality and injustice.
There are many ways to remember Jack. A wizened few might remember his stellar career as an NFL quarterback, where off the field he defied bigotry, treating his black teammates with respect and humanity. Some will remember him as a tenacious congressman challenging his party and the American government to make good on its promise of equality for all by signing the legislation that would officially establish the King Holiday. Many will remember him as an advocate for economic empowerment as Housing Secretary under George H.W. Bush. I will forever remember him as a close friend of my family, always eager to help when called upon and an ardent supporter of Realizing the Dream.
Jack Kemp will be greatly missed by his many friends, family and all of us here at Realizing the Dream. He leaves behind his wife Joanne, two sons, two daughters and 17 grandchildren, to which we extend our condolences and prayers.
Martin L. King, III
CEO
Realizing the Dream, Inc.
______________________________
Secretary Kemp was a good friend of my mother's and one of the few politicians who understood and practiced my father's belief in putting the people before party or self-interest. He was once quoted saying, "I wasn't there with Rosa Parks or Dr. King or John Lewis. But I am here now and I'm going to yell from the rooftops about what we need to do." He remained true to that promise pushing race relations and anti-poverty initiatives when it was unpopular to do so, supporting affirmative action and sanctions against South Africa's apartheid government.
Kemp was an active member of Realizing the Dream's Advisory Board, lending his invaluable knowledge to the dialogue on redressing poverty at this past October's annual Summit to Realize the Dream. His perspective as a conservative politician genuinely concerned with the plight of the poor and oppressed is a testament to the belief that truth knows no racial, partisan or class barriers.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Kemp was adamant about his party's need to be more inclusive to minorities and underrepresented groups. He remained a supporter of civil rights throughout his career, counting leaders of all faiths, parties and ethnicities as close friends and allies. Kemp utilized his resources as Secretary of HUD to stem discriminatory tactics by lenders and insurers, advocate for poor tenants and equal housing opportunity. He recognized that the American dream could not be divorced from alleviating poverty, inequality and injustice.
There are many ways to remember Jack. A wizened few might remember his stellar career as an NFL quarterback, where off the field he defied bigotry, treating his black teammates with respect and humanity. Some will remember him as a tenacious congressman challenging his party and the American government to make good on its promise of equality for all by signing the legislation that would officially establish the King Holiday. Many will remember him as an advocate for economic empowerment as Housing Secretary under George H.W. Bush. I will forever remember him as a close friend of my family, always eager to help when called upon and an ardent supporter of Realizing the Dream.
Jack Kemp will be greatly missed by his many friends, family and all of us here at Realizing the Dream. He leaves behind his wife Joanne, two sons, two daughters and 17 grandchildren, to which we extend our condolences and prayers.
Martin L. King, III
CEO
Realizing the Dream, Inc.
______________________________
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
IAIA Today
IAIA TODAYstory and photos by Charleen Touchette
2009
_______________________________
IAIA Professor Charlene Teters critiques in Painting Class
Audience included IAIA Foundation Director Susan Crowe (center) and Marita Hinds (on left).
Susan Crowe center
IAIA President Bob Martin announces re-naming.
Sculpture by John Hoover
View of Mountains from road to IAIA.
"IAIA Today"Photos and story by Charleen Touchette
for Mixed Blood Radio Archives
May 5, 2009
Santa Fe, New Mexico
_______________________
IAIA Re-Naming Reception
Speakers
Bob Martin - President IAIA
Loren Kieve- IAIA Board President
In audience -Marita Hinds - IAIA Foundation , Susan Crowe - IAIA Foundation, Chad Gaspar - IAIA Foundation and Ramus Suina - Center for Lifelong Education
____________________________________
IAIA Reception
Drove out to the new IAIA Campus out past Santa Fe Community College on Avan Nu Po Road this morning. The well-attended reception was to announce the re-naming of the 47-year-old institute to IAIA Institute of American Indian Arts - College of Contemporary Native Arts, Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and Center for Lifelong Education. Emphasizing the IAIA commitment to "honoring our past, embracing our future" IAIA President Bob Martin explained how the name change was consistent with the institute's founding mission to promote Contemporary Native Arts through the College, the Museum and the Center for Lifelong Learning. IAIA Board President Loren Kieve and IAIA College of Contemporary Native Arts Dean Dr. Ann Filemyr, and Hayes Lewis Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning spoke to a diverse audience of IAIA staff, instructors, students and longtime supporters.
_______________________________
Bronze Sculpture by John Hoover at entrance to Library Technology Center and Dance Circle and new IAIA Library
_______________________________
Buffalo Sculpture by Alan Houser
_______________________________
Student Mural 2001
_______________________________
The Academic Building Art Studios has lots of student art exhibited in the halls including some proficient and interesting work
_______________________________
Dropped in on Char Teters' painting class where Char was conducting critiques - intriquing small paintings by three students.
_______________________________
Stopped by the Primitive Edge Gallery, which now occupies the space where the library and the room I taught Native Art History II in 2001.
The new library by the Auditorium in IAIA's Library Technology Center is spacious and full of great books and documention on ndn art.
The IAIA Campus is surrounded by views of mountains in all four directions and is a beautiful spiral drive that provides vistas of the Jemez, Ortiz, Sandia and Sangre de Cristos Mountains.
Coffee with Char at Lucky Bean, a cozy wireless cafe close to the IAIA Campus at Rancho Viejo. Santa Fe Community College is just up the road from the IAIA Campus. Caught up with Char and news about her family and new grandbaby Monika who just arrived with her parents in Santa Fe for a visit with her G-Mom and G-Dad Don Messeck. Char is grinning ear to ear and plans an Honor Dance for little Monika at this Saturday's May 9th Spring Pow Wow at IAIA Campus.
Tomorrow night, Wednesday May 6th, Santee Frazier, other recent IAIA Graduates and 2009 Graduates will host a booksigning or their recent publications. Check out the work by students of IAIA's renown Creative Writing Program.
Winona LaDuke will speak at IAIA Graduation Ceremonies next Friday morning, May 14th. Graduation, which is always inspiring is followed by a feast for graduates and families.
Support IAIA and Santa Fe Community students while in Santa Fe and once many return to their reservations and home communities.
A good time for IAIA Alum to return to New Mexico is the 3rd weekend in August or the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. Apply to Indian Market for an entry fee of $360 or sometimes the most innovative IAIA alum artists show in the IAIA Museum Courtyard where the fee is less. You can also donate a piece to be in the IAIA Indian Market Alumni Exhibit and Auction at the IAIA Museum. Marita Hinds at IAIA Foundation is the person to contact.
IAIA President Bob Martin pledges to continue outreach to IAIA Alumni in reservations and home communities far from Santa Fe's Indian Art Market. Contact IAIA Alumni services for support and information on programs for alum. Tribal communities and colleges interested in creating American Indian and Alaskan Native Art Markets in their communities can seek assistance in planning and implementation through IAIA. http://www.iaia.edu/
Charleen Touchette
Mixed Blood Radio Archives
____________________________
Photos and story by Charleen Touchette for Mixed Blood Radio Archives 2009
Santa Fe, New Mexico
_______________________
IAIA Re-Naming Reception
Speakers
Bob Martin - President IAIA
Loren Kieve- IAIA Board President
In audience -Marita Hinds - IAIA Foundation , Susan Crowe - IAIA Foundation, Chad Gaspar - IAIA Foundation and Ramus Suina - Center for Lifelong Education
____________________________________
IAIA Reception
Drove out to the new IAIA Campus out past Santa Fe Community College on Avan Nu Po Road this morning. The well-attended reception was to announce the re-naming of the 47-year-old institute to IAIA Institute of American Indian Arts - College of Contemporary Native Arts, Museum of Contemporary Native Arts and Center for Lifelong Education. Emphasizing the IAIA commitment to "honoring our past, embracing our future" IAIA President Bob Martin explained how the name change was consistent with the institute's founding mission to promote Contemporary Native Arts through the College, the Museum and the Center for Lifelong Learning. IAIA Board President Loren Kieve and IAIA College of Contemporary Native Arts Dean Dr. Ann Filemyr, and Hayes Lewis Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning spoke to a diverse audience of IAIA staff, instructors, students and longtime supporters.
_______________________________
Bronze Sculpture by John Hoover at entrance to Library Technology Center and Dance Circle and new IAIA Library
_______________________________
Buffalo Sculpture by Alan Houser
_______________________________
Student Mural 2001
_______________________________
The Academic Building Art Studios has lots of student art exhibited in the halls including some proficient and interesting work
_______________________________
Dropped in on Char Teters' painting class where Char was conducting critiques - intriquing small paintings by three students.
_______________________________
Stopped by the Primitive Edge Gallery, which now occupies the space where the library and the room I taught Native Art History II in 2001.
The new library by the Auditorium in IAIA's Library Technology Center is spacious and full of great books and documention on ndn art.
The IAIA Campus is surrounded by views of mountains in all four directions and is a beautiful spiral drive that provides vistas of the Jemez, Ortiz, Sandia and Sangre de Cristos Mountains.
Coffee with Char at Lucky Bean, a cozy wireless cafe close to the IAIA Campus at Rancho Viejo. Santa Fe Community College is just up the road from the IAIA Campus. Caught up with Char and news about her family and new grandbaby Monika who just arrived with her parents in Santa Fe for a visit with her G-Mom and G-Dad Don Messeck. Char is grinning ear to ear and plans an Honor Dance for little Monika at this Saturday's May 9th Spring Pow Wow at IAIA Campus.
Tomorrow night, Wednesday May 6th, Santee Frazier, other recent IAIA Graduates and 2009 Graduates will host a booksigning or their recent publications. Check out the work by students of IAIA's renown Creative Writing Program.
Winona LaDuke will speak at IAIA Graduation Ceremonies next Friday morning, May 14th. Graduation, which is always inspiring is followed by a feast for graduates and families.
Support IAIA and Santa Fe Community students while in Santa Fe and once many return to their reservations and home communities.
A good time for IAIA Alum to return to New Mexico is the 3rd weekend in August or the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. Apply to Indian Market for an entry fee of $360 or sometimes the most innovative IAIA alum artists show in the IAIA Museum Courtyard where the fee is less. You can also donate a piece to be in the IAIA Indian Market Alumni Exhibit and Auction at the IAIA Museum. Marita Hinds at IAIA Foundation is the person to contact.
IAIA President Bob Martin pledges to continue outreach to IAIA Alumni in reservations and home communities far from Santa Fe's Indian Art Market. Contact IAIA Alumni services for support and information on programs for alum. Tribal communities and colleges interested in creating American Indian and Alaskan Native Art Markets in their communities can seek assistance in planning and implementation through IAIA. http://www.iaia.edu/
Charleen Touchette
Mixed Blood Radio Archives
____________________________
Photos and story by Charleen Touchette for Mixed Blood Radio Archives 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Philip Vigil - TouchArt May 2009 Artist of the Moment
TouchArt Artist of the Moment May 2009
Phillip Vigil
www.myspace.com/highendart
Philip Vigil - TouchArt May 2009 Artist of the Moment
Went to Phillip Vigil's exhibition at the BellaDonna Condo Exhibition Site last night at 111 Santa Fe Avenue in Santa Fe's Historic South Capitol neighborhood and were glad we did. The drive through the rain down Old Santa Fe Trail was a magnificent display of light and shadow with the sun setting among magnificent clouds in the west shooting rays through the raindrops to create a spectacular double full rainbow over the Sangre de Cristos Mountains in the east.
Phillip Vigil's art is superb. The evening light pouring into the second floor gallery showed off his unique palette and technique. Displayed throughout the upper floor tacked to white walls with simple push pins, Vigil's bold pastels on paper are a treat to those who hunger for something new and powerful from young ndn artists.
Phillip Vigil paints his contemporary pictographs punctuated with provocative text while listening to jazz in his bedroom studio on his Rez in Dulce, Arizona on the Mescalero Apache Nation. Vigil's is inluenced as much by my old late friend Jean Michel Basquiat and our friend and Phillip's mentor Gronk as by the 4 generations of artists in his Mescalero and Jemez families and his great-grandfather Vigil who was the last traditional chief of the Mescalero.
At the opening of his exhibition, Phillip wore a tee-shirt with a graphic design by Basquiat and spends summers with his mother's people at the very traditional Jemez Pueblo. Fresh and original, Phillip Vigil is an artist to watch.
Local Santa Fe realtor Malissa Kuhlberg has a passion for art and mentoring young talent and she and business partner Joshua Maes created a new and promising venue for seeing new and interesting work by up and coming artists in this elegantly updated 1920's compound just blocks from the New Mexico State Capitol.
Catch this exhibit of Phillip Vigil's Art through the end of May by appointment. It's well worth the visit.
Contact Phillip Vigil or Maissa Kuhlberg and Joshua Maes on Facebook
Hosts:
Malissa Kullberg & Joshua Maes
Location:
The Bella Donna Condominiums
Street:
111 East Santa Fe Ave. (Between Don Gaspar and West Booth on north side of street just up from corner of Don Gaspar. Up outside staircase in front of streetside building in front of complex.)
City/Town:
Santa Fe, NM
View Map
Phone:
505-231-7598
Email:
mailto:mkullberg@prusantafe.com
May Moon
May Moon
Photos by Charleen Touchette 2009
Waxing Quarter Moon at Dusk in mountains southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico. May 2, 2009.
Photos by Charleen Touchette 2009
Waxing Quarter Moon at Dusk in mountains southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico. May 2, 2009.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
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