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Under international law, refugees are individuals who:
- are outside their country of nationality or habitual residence;
- have a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and
- are unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution.
As a refugee: I am requesting temporary sanctuary from a country that has declared indefinite war on an indefinable enemy so that I might:
- take time to experience the dwelling space
- continue my investigation of space outside of cultural confines
- Send out inside/outside communiqués via e-mail to a community of collaborators
- continue to write the story of my great journey to the North
- Remain open to unforeseeable possibilities as they might occur.
This might require ritual!"
On June 21st, 2006 it was National Aboriginal Day in Canada and summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. To acknowledge and celebrate the Aboriginese spirits of This Neck of the Woods, Steve built a fire from local street wood. From deep within the flames the Lord of the Land suddenly emerged feet fist and joined in celebration of This Neck of the Woods.
"The whole earth is your fatherland." Erasmus
Steve Brown (Edwardsville, IL, USA) was an official resident of This Neck of the Woods from June 18-24, 2006.
Steve's residency was made possible with the support of the Graduate Studies Department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (USA).
(return to TNOTW)
