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Genome Pavilion
- Wesleyan University Press
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GENOME PAVILION The New York nmes reported in an editorial that television stations and the federal government have remained silent on the recent insurrection at Point Roberts by the Heirs of Columbus. The report speculated that the silence could be in response to the acquiescence ofthe residents on the point, the censure ofthe heirs and crossbloods by tribal governments, but the most obvious consideration was the public support in discussions of the new nation on Carp Radio. "The White House obsetved silence on the insurrection, the president was more concerned with television than radio, a doubtable democratic simulation; consequently, the nation would be governed by listeners on late night radio," the editorial reported. "The Heirs of Christopher Columbus are unconcerned over the silence, and the rumors that militaty units have been activated in thearea. Thatthe heirswouldgivetheirvetygenes to save the world is neitherironic nor moronic, as theybelieve their unique genes are healers. Such noble ambitions, however, are not without critics. Leading scientists are skeptical, to put it kindly, that a ragtag group of rebellious, uneducated mixedbloods would be the actual selective heirs of a 'genetic signature' from Christopher Columbus. "Doctor Canon Simpson, the outspoken biogenetic engineer, national science adviser, and friend of the president, pointed out 130 that the study of 'genetic inheritance is more than counting the spots on mongrels.' "Stone Columbus, the tribal bingo tycoon and heirship leader of the insurrection, which has been compared to the m~tis rebellion of Louis Riel in Canada, told the chairman ofthe quincentenary commission that 'Columbus would return just as we have, and what was good enough for him is even better for his tribal heirs.' The chairman denied reports that the commission had funded the heirs and the insurrection as a part ofquincentenary celebrations. Riel was convicted of treason and hanged in 1885." The Felipa Flowers Casinowas established on the international borderbetween Canada and Point Assinika. Bingo gamblers could enterthe bright, enormoustandem pavilions andleave from either nation, as there were no inspections at the tribal border; indeed, the heirs honored tribal identities but no political boundaries on the earth. Stone never owned a passport, and he would never hold a mere photograph, a political simulation with a national seal, to be more real than the human it represented. "People have died defending the simulations of families in photographs, the loneliness of civilization ," he said. Stone has no photographs of Felipa or Miigis; he dreams and remembers them in stories. Miigis remembers her mother as a bird in dreams. The casino was managed by the pale man with no name; he counted the cash, paid salaries, hired and retired, recorded the presence of enemies and conspirators. There were tribal fascists who would abolish the heirs, their bingo, humor, and certain words, such ascrossblood, and the genes ofsurvivance; there were government agents and investigators who would overturn the new nation. Nonamewas a controversial overseer, to be sure; he posted "not wanted portraits" of the fascists, investigators, and agents provocateurs, with embellished features, at the entrances to the casino. Even more unusual was his order that the male casino attendants must crossdress. "Regrettably men are no longer that interesting unless they dress as women," said the father of Stone 131 [54.92.155.93] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 16:04 GMT) Columbus. Pale no name was a transvestite, a posture that had no name or instance on the reservation, but the poseur enlivened the casino and was lauded by the patrons. No name, the paramount transvestite, posed as first ladies, either Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Reagan, or his favorite, Lady Bird Johnson. Pavilion communities were established between panic hole parks on the point. The residence and shelter pavilions were located on the rise, protected by a natural stand of hemlock and spruce. The scientific pavilions were laced, one to the other, near the statue and marina. The sides ofthe blue pavilionswere radiant at night, and the massive computers hummed and sounded the beats of memories, the genetic signatures of survivance. The Dorado Genome Pavilion, the heart ofthe genetic research, was directed byDoctor Pir Cantrip, an exobiologist turned genetic engineer. He and other scientists had isolated the genetic code of tribal survivance and radiance, that native signature of seventeen mitochondrial genes thatcouldreverse humanmutations, nurture shamanic resurrection, heal wounded children, and incite parthenogenesis in separatist women. The Ojibwe News reported that the signature was an "estate antidote to terminal blood quantum creeds." The actuation of parthenogenesis, however, would become the most contestable revision of the signature...