White Coat Black Art CBC, Stories Will be Missed

posted by: Cheryl McLean
Canadian Creative Arts in Health, Training and Education Journal

Unfortunate news about the CBC programme "White Coat Black Art" hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman. From what I read, it looks like the show has been cancelled. I have posted about this show before and linked to a podcast interview with Goldman and "Dr. Cunningham" who spoke
about alcoholism, "the God complex" and his own spirituality. Hear podcast with Dr. Cunningham

Recently the show focussed on end of life issues and physician/patient communication.

As described, the programme, " explores the tension between hope and reality: between what patients want, and what doctors can deliver. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals explain how the system works, and why, with a refreshing and unprecedented level of honesty."

If you haven't had an opportunity to catch the programme the podcasts are still available at the CBC website.

If you like what you hear send an email to the CBC encouraging them to continue the programme "White Coat Black Art" again in the future.

Wishing "White Coat, Black Art" a quick return to the airwaves.

C. McLean.

Picks from the Bookshelf. New section added at CCAHTE "Crossing Borders" blog

posted by: Cheryl McLean
Canadian Creative Arts in Health, Training and Education Journal

Hope you are all enjoying the holiday season! I've added a new section to our "Crossing Borders" blog. Check out the sidebar at the right and scroll down to "Picks from the book shelf" Here you'll find an eclectic collection of a few recommended books. Among them "Performance Ethnography a Critical Pedagogy and the Politics of Culture" by Norman K. Denzin.


(excerpt from the book jacket)
"Performance Ethnography is divided into three parts. Part 1 covers pedagogy, ethnography, performance and theory as the foundation for a performative social science. Part 11 addresses the worlds of family, nature, praxis and action employing a structure that is equal parts memoir, essay, short story and literary autoethnography. Part 111 examines the ethics and practical politics of performance autoethnography anchored in the post 9/ll discourse in the United States."



"For anyone interested in qualitative research and performative social science or ethnodrama in health this book is highly recommended. Dr. Denzin also includes several of his own performance texts in part 11 of the book. They are rich, multi layered and insightful stories grounded in history and personal experience. This is more than a book. It is a gift from one of the world's leaders in qualitative research for those of us interested in writing performances that educate and challenge while advocating for change."

Cheryl McLean, Publisher, Canadian Creative Arts in Health, Training and Education Journal (CCAHTE)

(after taking the book out from The University of Western Ontario Library about 20 times, I was pleased to receive my own special copy as a gift for Christmas. CM)

Another gift.
If you haven't already subscribed to The Canadian Creative Arts in Health, Training and Education Journal (CCAHTE) you can subscribe without charge with an email to ccahte@cmclean.com "please subscribe". We look forward to hearing from you!

Digital Storytelling, Digital Mythology Offers New Opportunities for Embodied Cultural Learning

Garry Oker

Ancient Mythology Meets Digital Technologies

posted by: Cheryl McLean
Canadian Creative Arts in Health, Training and Education Journal

Digital Mythology Progressive New form of Cultural Education, Dreamer's Stories Live for Future Generations

We recently heard from Garry Oker who is a member and past Chief of the Doig River First Nation near Fort St. John, BC.. Garry works in both traditional and modern settings and can speak the Dane-zaa language, facilitating communication between First Nations and an international business audience regarding complex land issues.

He is also a musician and artist who uses digital storytelling and narrative methods in action and practice as a form of embodied cultural learning in education.

In his new collaboration with music producers, video game developers, and animators he will be animating traditional mythological characters into a video game that will teach tribal stories and songs to future generations.

Garry was one of the leaders involved in the Dane Wajich, Dane-zaa Stories and Songs: Dreamers of the Land project which brought together elders, youth and leaders who worked collaboratively with ethnographers, linguists, videographers and web designers to document the history, stories and songs that connect the Dane-zaa people to the land.The theme for this exhibit, “Dreamers and the Land,” was inspired by the return of a Dreamer's drum to the community.

Quotes from the website: “On June 28th, 2005, a group of Dane-zaa elders, young people, linguists, and anthropologists met at our Doig River First Nation's Cultural Centre to plan a website. Chief Garry Oker came to the meeting carrying a drum skin that had been in safe storage in his home for many years.”

“Some of the elders at the meeting recognized the drum as one made by the Dreamer, Gaayea, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and who was a teacher for Charlie Yahey. They remembered stories about Gaayęą's life, and the story of his death. Dane-zaa Dreamers like Gaayęą received songs from Heaven in their dreams and often drew maps of their visions on tanned moose hides and on the skins of their drums. “

Garry’s work, sharing the stories of the Dreamer’s songs, continues today through digital technologies.

In our recent communication he reports, “I have recomposed traditional Dreamer’s songs while maintaining the original structure, melody and rhythm as narrative melodies to encapsulate the essence of the Dreamer’s Story. The Dreamer’s songs will be retold through animated characters (swan people) transported from ancient times into a video game to develop a multicultural perspective while simultaneously respecting traditions and shaping the future. These animated swan people will help others imagine, observe, imitate and practice Dreamer’s melodies in future ceremonies. . Dr. Gregory Cajete has written in his book “Look to the Mountain” that “tribal myths contain tremendous potential for illuminating the education of both the individual and the community through creative, linguistic and visual forms that are emotionally affective for members of a tribe.” (1994, pg. 115) I believe my research and development work in digital mythology will help traditional people to continue to learn about themselves through a critical analysis of the sharing of tribal knowledge.”

“I have many stories that require translation and I am willing to work with educators who want to push the boundary of learning using multiple disciplines. My goal is to transport ancient characters from stories and make them come alive through interactive learning workshops.”

Garry Oker recently presented his research “Digital Mythology” at the World Indigenous Education Conference in Melbourne Australia.

Visit his website

Visual Sociology, Participatory Video and Photography Methods Used in Research

I connected recently with The International Visual Sociology Association and discovered The Visual Voice Project by Vincent O'Brien, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at The University of Cumbria UK. The group works with communities using participatory video and photography methods in research and for community development.

The very comprehensive Visible Voice website shares information and video excerpts of the work in action and practice.


See video here

more info here

"Don't follow your dream. Live it...."

Ted Rogers, Canadian communications icon and creative visionary
1933-2008
Died Dec. 2, 2008

See interview Ted Rogers Indigo Entrepreneur Series at Youtube