As part of a recent response, Lyn Dearborn wrote:
> Tell the planetarium folks to go do some homework or hire
> some Native American consultants at $50/hr (hahaha ... joke). We're
> supposed to come up with info all the time that "they" (the
> scientific community) would otherwise have to pay for ....
> ironic isn't it?
I now realize that Lyn's concern is probably shared by
many. However, in this case, I can assure everyone that I'm not
being "taken advantage of" nor are the references you all have given
me being appropriated arrogantly by an uncaring establishment. I
wrote the following to Lyn, and am posting a copy of it here to
reassure anyone who shares her concerns:
Hi, Lyn--
Many thanks for your notes to me and the net. I (and our
"planetarium people") have been impressed with the quantity and
quality of the responses to my initial request.
Your notes'suggestions that the planetarium here should pay
in some way for the research are understandable, but you might change
your mind after I've filled you in on some details of the situation
here:
First, the planetarium here at DeAnza is not a money-making
enterprise by any means. It is operated by the community services
branch of DeAnza, and its primary function is to give educational
demonstrations to grade-school groups from throughout the South Bay
area. Some public shows and lectures are given, too, with an admission
charge (I don't know exactly what it is, but it's less than $5) that
doesn't even cover expenses. An outside group puts on laser-light
shows on weekends whose proceeds help the planetarium meet its
expenses.
Second, the "planetarium folks" -- the staff -- consist of
a half-time co-ordinator (who is not a scientist; his main qualification
is that he loves children and helping them appreciate the beauty of
the sky -- he is mostly self-taught) and several student assistants.
So, you can see that the request for references didn't come from
some well-heeled sector of the Scientific Establishment!
Third, I think they are actually "doing their homework" in
the most admirable way: by going directly to the community for help,
realizing that there's a good chance that without guidance, references
they might find on their own were written/edited by people who are
not Native American and might not be entirely trustworthy as far as
accurate recounting of traditions is concerned.
Finally, the planetarium is "paying for" my research in the best
of all ways -- by providing free access during our PowWow for storytelling
sessions. This access is not contingent on any research I do, but rather
provided freely without conditions in the spirit of community cooperation.
I hope this helps clear up some of your concerns. Again, thanks
so much for your help.
-- Diane Harrington
As an addendum for NativeNet: yes, DeAnza College does have an astronomy
department, but they're not much help here (nor are they connected to
the Planetarium in any official way). As is probably the case at most
colleges and almost all universities, "astronomy" actually means
"astrophysics" -- they know a lot about nuclear reactions in stars,
for example, but very little about legends; folk traditions are not part
of their training or expertise.