“Where the water meets the shore and the laughter floats on the breeze”
In remembrance of Christina Goodwin
By Dr. Carrie Miller
From time to time, it is important to remember the people who have shaped who we are in both large and small ways. Christina Goodwin was one such person.
We all follow our own meandering path in life and Chrissy was no different in that way. Well, except that her path led her to the beautiful winding paths of water. With a passion for archaeology, Chrissy came to understand the many ethical challenges at stake with such work. Her pursuit of ethically sound archaeology – to acknowledge and give voice to the Indigenous communities long impacted by archaeological practices – brought her from Normandale Community College, to the University of Minnesota, and all the way to New Zealand, with many other notable stops along the way. She was even one of the first set of volunteers working with SASSAk12, bringing her own excitement about geology, history, and archaeology to local Minnesotan middle schoolers. It was because of Chrissy, and others like her, who saw such value in hands-on learning that applies diverse sources of knowledge that SASSAk12 was able to gracefully move beyond its first few steps.
Inspired by studies of Native canoes and water traditions, and with hopes to ensure traditional navigation practices persist in a land where the Dakota people hold deep historical relationships with the water, Chrissy was part of a cohort of undergraduate and graduate students who founded “Canoe Rising.” And this group has continued to grow, including Native and local youths interested in learning and building relationships with waterways in Minnesota and beyond. Chrissy and other Canoe Rising officers shared their work and future goals for the organization at the 2019 Native American and Indian Studies Association (NAISA) conference in New Zealand. At this conference, and beyond it, they hoped Canoe Rising would continue to serve as an example of successful community building between undergraduates and graduates, resulting in an inclusive club that raises awareness of Indigenous practices and values.
Given the passion Chrissy felt for this work, it is unsurprising that she continued working with Indigenous youth after her time at the University of Minnesota, and long sought a return to New Zealand. For all that she gave to our community - her eagerness to engage with and welcome students of diverse backgrounds, and to ensure the persistence of Indigenous practices, beliefs, and values - we hope to give back in some small way by inviting members of the SASSAk12 community (whether you knew and worked with Chrissy directly or not) to consider celebrating Chrissy’s life and honoring her wish to have her ashes scattered in New Zealand. Chrissy’s children, Zoe Serrano, Noah Pettit, and Jude Pettit, are holding a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 11:00am - 2:00pm at the North Mississippi Regional Park and would appreciate any donations that could be made towards fulfilling Chrissy’s wish.
For all of the joy and inspiration that you brought to us, and the many others who knew you over these many years, thank you Chrissy. We will miss you.
