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Polish Ancestry and Genealogy

Ancestry is now gaining popularity with Hollywood and the NBC Series “Who Do You Think You Are?”.

For people out there who are exploring their Polish ancestry and genealogy, you might be interested in reading my Master’s Thesis entitled “Journey to my Polish Indigenous Mind.” It documents my exploration of my Polish ancestry including my ancestral journey back to Poland. My thesis focused on the earth-based and indigenous roots of my Polish ancestry, including my encounter with the ancient Slavic spirit Baba Yaga or (in Polish) Jezi Baba. In my genealogical exploration, I went beyond the normal methods of gathering names, dates, and stories. In the Indigenous Mind program, we were taught to incorporate indigenous science methodology in our research. These techniques of indigenous science, included dreamwork, ritual, and visiting sacred sites.

This was part of my master’s work in the Indigenous Mind Program at Naropa University Oakland.

NBC Series: “Who Do You Think You Are?”

The other day in my inbox from ancestry.com came an announcement about the upcoming NBC series Who Do You Think You Are?.

Who Do You Think You Are? is a new series which takes a up close and personal look at the genealogy and family history of some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Spike Lee, Matthew Broderick and Brooke Shields.

As someone who has been working with my own ancestors pretty intensively for the past 15 years, it is nice to see that Hollywood is finally catching up. Perhaps all of us who received a Master’s degree in ancestral remembrance and recovery in the Indigenous Mind Program at Naropa University will finally be in demand for the unique work that we do.

I did my graduate research on my Polish ancestral roots, which culminated in an ancestral journey back to Poland in 2002. You can read more in my thesis. “Journey to my Polish Indigenous Mind” that you can download for free on my website.

Other IM graduates include Audri Scott Williams, who traced her African roots back across the Middle Passage and to West Africa; Sulonda Smith, who traced her ancestors to South Africa and had a chance to study with Zulu healer Credo Mutwa; Marcela Sabin, who reconnected with her indigenous Basque and Spanish roots; Kit Cooley who made an ancestral journey to Italy; Teresa MacColl, whose ancestors come from the clan Colla of Ireland and the highlands of Scotland; Linda Joslin, who retraced the steps of her ancestors in England; Bernd Geels who rediscovered the Celtic Goddess Brigit; and Venus Herbito who helped restore the healing traditions of her indigenous Phillipino ancestors.

All of these people have amazing stories to tell and have much to share. I hope that Hollywood and the world will soon discover some of what we all have to offer.