If you check back to "Just the Bones" someone who claims to be a UNC grad and signs him/herself "TP" has made a comment that I hope all will read. This kind of limited thinking is perfect vis a vis my attempts to raise Totem Consciousness on the UNC campus. I wonder what "TP" stands for?
I'm delighted to have your comment. None of the the wooden blocks for the ReINCairnation Project came from Home Depot. In fact none of the supplies for the cairn were purchased. All were donated and/or financed by me. I did bring 46 blocks from California.
I've never intended for my ideas to be permanent and, in fact, they never have been. The idea that you remain anonymous and may never have done a thing to promote tradition at UNC is indicative of a feeling that has been on campus for years. Tradition is really not that big a deal. If grads like you were 1/100th as interested as a few others have been, it might be that tradition would survive on the Greeley campus.
The sad fact is that the college is foundering in a morass of indifference. So even your meager and inaccurate assessment of my art work is ... at least... something.. Now?? why don't YOU actually DO SOMETHING?
Did you ever have a 'fitting' idea for remembering a tradition at our alma mater? A sincere thank you for your comments. All ideas are welcome.
michael sheehan
818 244 9939
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In 2005 the Ghost Memory Totem was installed in the UNC University Center. In 2008 this installation was removed and donated to the UNC Archives. This blog is dedicated to keeping a running journal of events which will, hopefully, lead to a new installation dedicated to the memory of Totem Teddy.
LOYAL BEARS
Blog Archive
- January 2012 (1)
- April 2011 (2)
- March 2011 (1)
- February 2011 (1)
- October 2010 (1)
- September 2010 (2)
- August 2010 (1)
- July 2010 (2)
- June 2010 (4)
- March 2010 (1)
- December 2009 (1)
- November 2009 (1)
- September 2009 (1)
- October 2008 (1)
- June 2008 (1)
- May 2008 (7)
- April 2008 (13)
- March 2008 (3)
3 comments:
To paraphrase a clever line by The Tribune's Chris Casey, maybe the sawdust is finally settling in the Totem/Ghost/Cairn affair.
Sure, Sheehan may have been frustrated trying to get his latest installation into place, but he did get a little public debate going and that is also something he must have set out to do.
Jeanette Crooks' comment in "Ghost Retires" about influencing a few-who-influence-a-few-who... is the upside of his project. The fact that MS also acknowledges a less-glowing comment posted by TP (could stand for "Totem Pole", Mike) further suggests that he is more about the discussion than the conclusion.
Is the function of a totem pole in the 19th century and that of a blog in 21st that much different? They're both ways of communicating ideas and imagery to your village. Maybe these TTL08 columns are your new totem, Michael.
They say the original Brown Bear Totem is a sacred object, but let's remember the role of sacredness in everyday life. Some see these objects as REALLY holy, and others (Tlingits and UNC students alike) are more "meet you at the totem at noon".
If Mr. Sheehan has gotten 1/100th of the current UNC student body to embrace his passion, then his project is a success.
I think the rule is still "one shaman per village", so now Glendale, CA has one and Greeley's got some good candidates in the pipeline.
Best of luck to you all with the permanent installation.
-robert roll, L.A., CA
I've read your recounting of your art project/tribute/conversation starter with much interest. If we're honest with ourselves, most of us aren't really passionate about anything. The fast-paced world that surrounds us almost demands that we numb ourselves so that our heads don't explode. I truly admire your relentless, passionate dedication to your cause. You got me thinking! Thanks.
I witnessed the somber return of the sacred totem to the Tlingits. They told stories passed on by their parents and others in the Bear Clan. They told of the tears shed by their ancestors when the totem was stolen.
Andrew Thompson was a 1897 alum of the University of Northern Colorado. He became the U.S. Commissioner of Education for Alaska. In 1914, he presented the bear totem to the University.
What he (or his agents) did is now the equivalent of grave robbing. It is sad to think this sacred object was defiled and humiliated by fraternity pranks and intercollegiate rivalries for almost nine decades before it was rightfully returned to the Tlingits.
Maybe that was a time of innocence. But that time has passed. We cannot undo the disrespect we directed at this sacred totem. However we can stop it. Please stop the shabby representations and talk of reproductions.
There is a giant bronze bear at the University Center. Students can rally around it and offend no one.
v.o.r.
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