Amhran nam Bandia: August 2009

Gaelic Polytheism, Cultural Preservation, Indigenous Solidarity

Occasional musings from one of the original troublemakers behind the contemporary Gaelic Polytheist (GP) (Gaelic: Ioma-Dhiadhachd Ghàidhealach; Irish: Ildiachas Gaelach) and Celtic Reconstructionist traditions. Allegedly the person to blame for that unwieldy, awkward, misinterpreted and misrepresented, umbrella tradition name (CR), and most definitely to blame for the Nigheanan nan Cailleach agus Ora nam Bandia branches of the community.

Clann Eóghain na h-Oitrich, agus Eóganachta. Tha mi a fuireach ann Wabanahkik. Co-còrdadh: Kaswhenta. While my family culture growing up was predominantly diasporan Gael (Irish/Scottish-American), and my low BQ gives me white privilege / passing privilege visually, I also have distant Indigenous heritage from both Turtle Island (Catawba/Yęh Iswä H'Reh) and Sápmi, and some cherished African ancestors who survived the Middle Passage and the Underground Railroad. I am an unenrolled descendant with Native family and relatives in a handful of Nations, from both ancestry and adoption. I'm a long-term member of several Indigenous-led collectives, active in Indian Country in largely a backup/support role since the 1980s, and in more recent years in interfaith and political work as both a collective member, extended family member, and as a representative of our GP groups. I don't presume to steer the canoe, even when I'm helping paddle one that my cousins and aunties have built and are helming, but except for my fellow Gaels and other diverse relatives, I jumped out of the ship over a decade ago. I'd much rather dive deep with the prop-fouling otters, be a shieldmaiden in the metaphorical jetski clan, and continue my work with the side of the family I live with now, than get back into that rotting colonists' ship, unless it's to sabotage and change the course. Which I've been known to do sometimes.

It's one of multiple ways that my life is lived in liminal zones.

I serve on the governing councils of CAORANN and Gaol Naofa; however, all opinions expressed on this blog, and posted elsewhere under my own name on social media, are my own.

Amhran nam Bandia

Friday, August 21, 2009

Peltier denied parole