without dead time

So we celebrated the last night of the “old year” in style last night at the New Year’s Powwow in southern Louisville. It was small — well, smaller than the Seminole gathering — but had food and vendors and dancing. Whatever its size, it was great to be around Indian pride especially after all these weird-ass consumer holidays. At one point during the first inter-tribal dance I found myself tearing up quite unexpectedly and had to take several deep breaths and concentrate on the adorable little kids who were dancing around in front of us. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay all evening though since the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression was having their annual New Year’s awards ceremony…good people and good work being honored but we definitely missed some amazing lifelong activists who passed away during 2006. Henry Wallace, Sterling Neal, Earl Wilson (just to name a few) and especially Anne Braden. What amazing individuals. Here’s to their fighting spirit!

You know it’s weird: we went to the New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow and then had quite a few drinks at North End Cafe at midnight. I didn’t stop to dwell on it but it was a somewhat unsettling juxtaposition of cultures; strange how in the modern world we can be in so many different worlds at once (mostly due to so many people living so close together/the ease of travel here). Okay last night was really fun, but living like this does make me check myself and make sure I’m giving my full attention to whatever is happening at the moment. One exciting mid-evening treat that needed no concentration whatsoever was a three person dance party with me, Jessie, and Jacob “I need some liquid courage” Goessling. Fun city!