Your piece about this rather wonderful character is very interesting. Thank you for bringing it to us. I have also recently mentioned the Blue Zones in a post, though I approach it from a completely different angle, which is that of a place writer. But just in case it might be of interest... https://yasminchopin.substack.com/p/14-blue-zones.
"How long Kakaygeesick lived isn’t nearly as interesting as how he lived." So true.
This was a very honest and vulnerable piece. I loved it and admire you for the self reflection and insight. I really appreciated the way in which you shared this...kind of brutally up front with the tragic Native American statistics... And it made me take a breath.
Your last sentence could not be said better and it evokes so much emotion: "Because my visceral response of disbelief made it easy to dismiss or deny historical facts rather than examine why I didn’t believe he lived to 124." Wow!
But if initially dismissive, it was not for long . You were someone whose disbelief was never left unsupervised and her cognitive dissonance propelled her to do what she does best: ask questions and be ready for wherever those answers take her. Most of us can't or will not do that. Does some of that come from Journalist Jill? I think I am learning that good writing has a self aware author. Is there a "before Kakaygeesick Jill" and an "after Kakaygeesick Jill"? Thank you for intimate reveal.
This project has required a new kind of self-reflection and there is no simple before/after Kakaygeesick moment for me but a series of turning points (which haven't stopped) when I become more aware of what I don't know and why.
It is fascinating that he and others lived so long. I hope you enjoyed the research. I like research. Are there any of his relatives/descendants who are living close to that age today?
Your pieces continue to be fascinating and enlightening - thank you, Jill!
Your piece about this rather wonderful character is very interesting. Thank you for bringing it to us. I have also recently mentioned the Blue Zones in a post, though I approach it from a completely different angle, which is that of a place writer. But just in case it might be of interest... https://yasminchopin.substack.com/p/14-blue-zones.
Thanks for sharing your piece on Blue Zones. I appreciate your definition of place writing and subscribed!
"How long Kakaygeesick lived isn’t nearly as interesting as how he lived." So true.
This was a very honest and vulnerable piece. I loved it and admire you for the self reflection and insight. I really appreciated the way in which you shared this...kind of brutally up front with the tragic Native American statistics... And it made me take a breath.
Your last sentence could not be said better and it evokes so much emotion: "Because my visceral response of disbelief made it easy to dismiss or deny historical facts rather than examine why I didn’t believe he lived to 124." Wow!
But if initially dismissive, it was not for long . You were someone whose disbelief was never left unsupervised and her cognitive dissonance propelled her to do what she does best: ask questions and be ready for wherever those answers take her. Most of us can't or will not do that. Does some of that come from Journalist Jill? I think I am learning that good writing has a self aware author. Is there a "before Kakaygeesick Jill" and an "after Kakaygeesick Jill"? Thank you for intimate reveal.
This project has required a new kind of self-reflection and there is no simple before/after Kakaygeesick moment for me but a series of turning points (which haven't stopped) when I become more aware of what I don't know and why.
It is fascinating that he and others lived so long. I hope you enjoyed the research. I like research. Are there any of his relatives/descendants who are living close to that age today?
There are not any living relatives today who are close to that age, no.
The average age of Native Americans keeps getting lower. My mom had a patient close to 100 who spoke Dakota.
Idk how to fix that comment. It should read average age at death.