Nadine Vaughan penned “Native Land: Lost in the Mystery of Time” in response to end-of-life stories told to her by her paternal grandmother. The parting gifts passed on by this elder formed lasting images in the mind of the author; of the abuse suffered "for marrying an Indian man" and how she fled to Florida so her children would not be placed in orphanages.
Although Vaughan's entry into writing did not start here, it was after hearing these stories that she decided to pursue her own dreams. Moving from Florida to the west coast, she earned a doctorate in psychology and worked with some of the finest minds in the fields of existential psychology and consciousness studies.
Ironically, it was while studying with Dr. Stanley Krippner, that Vaughan was first introduced to indigenous consciousness, something she was drawn to as a result of her own precognitive experiences. She was deeply honored when asked to help Rolling Thunder's wife, Spotted Fawn, pass into the spirit world.
During those years, Vaughan balanced academics with unusual life experiences; she lived off the land in a barn she converted into a home; learned to fly; and she searched for meanings in life by traveling to Chile, Scotland, Machu Piccu and the Amazon Jungle. In the 1990s, Vaughan's lifelong involvement in theatre led her from writing, directing, and producing plays in her "Living Theatre Company," to working in film production.
In 2005, as the associate producer for an award winning indie feature film, Vaughan felt "The Touch" and it propelled her into deeper involvement in filmmaking. Besides converting "Native Land: Lost in the Mystery of Time©" into a screenplay, she wrote four other screenplays, attended film school, produced several shorts of her own and in 2010 was the Florida casting director for “The Diary of Preston Plummer”. Currently, as Vaughan puts finishing touches on her new book, “FireCat! The Legend of Amazon Sage,” she and her producer husband seek financial backing for "Native Land", the movie. |
Influences/Inspirations:
In the 1990s, Vaughan credits a dream visit from her deceased father as the motivation for healing a life-threatening illness. Another time, when faced with the prospect of being killed by a psychotic gunman, she recalled her father's spirit, felt enormous calm, and escaped unharmed.
Favorite Writers and Artists:
Drs. Jim Bugental and Stanley Krippner are mentors, turned friends. The former was Vaughan's mentor in the field of existential humanistic psychology, while the latter was the chair of her dissertation committee. Vaughan recommends Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" and enjoys the movies, "Wind Walker" and "The Last of the Dog Men".
Current Projects:
Vaughan is currently collaborating with her husband, Rick Traum, on a book entitled "Ten Days to Love". On the back burner are several more screen plays and books awaiting final touches.
Interests:
Attention to our American indigenous culture and spirituality. Concerns about suicide among our military and native populations.
Family:
Vaughan describes her children as "absolutely unique, independent and living life in the best ways possible" and her 90+ year young mother as a true inspiration for living. And while many dear friends are like family, she chooses her husband, everyday, to walk this road together.
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 5, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035
Charities/Causes:
Indigenous people of the world, starting with America's. The WingMan Project.