"Grey Eagle" teaches stereotypes

Here's an article about teaching Indiana schoolchildren about Indians. Unfortunately, the effort hits a lot of sour notes.

As the story notes, "Potawatomi were the first settlers in Northwest Indiana." Although other Indians also lived in the area, let's focus on how authentically Potawatomi the teaching is.

Third-graders learn about area's American IndiansJoe Wright, also known as Grey Eagle, captivated the third-graders of Central Elementary School recently with Native American instruments and the culture and history of the earliest settlers of this region.The name "Grey Eagle" sounds like something thought up by a white-man wannabe. It's obviously supposed to convey the idea of a wise Indian elder.

As we'll see, this instruction has the effect of positioning Indians as people of the past. Even if the presenter is an Indian himself. That's bad.Wright, who is of Cherokee heritage and lives near Bloomington, told the students about the "three sisters," the main staples of Native American crops--corn, squash and beans.A Potawatomi guest would've been better than a Cherokee guest--i.e., someone who may have an Indian princess in his background.

The "three sisters" may have been staples in many areas, but they weren't staples everywhere. They weren't on the Pacific Coast, for instance.

The name gameDuring the program, he marveled at the Native American names the children selected for themselves, names like Strong Turtle, Sunflower, Rainbow Eagle and Whistling Bird."Rainbow Eagle" is a phony New Age name. It's almost laughably stereotypical.

"Sunflower" wouldn't sound as impressive in Potawatomi or another Native language. Traditionally Indians bestowed names based on some omen, and flowers aren't dynamic enough to convey a message. "Stands with a Fist" is a more realistic female name than "Lily," "Blossom," or "Dew Drop."

"Strong Turtle" and "Whistling Bird" are less stereotypical than the usual made-up names based on hawks or wolves. They actually might be real Indian names somewhere.

The ridiculous names suggest why this naming game is a bad idea. It encourages children to envision Indian cultures as shallow and "fun." See "Funny" Indian Names for more on the problems with turning a solemn ritual into a children's lark.Wright talked about the birch canoes Native Americans traveled in, and the role women played as foragers for food to sustain their families.The Potawatomis used canoes, but canoes weren't universal among Indians.Ethan Ortiz, 9, sporting a headdress he made with feathers and beads, enjoyed Wright's presentation.It goes without saying that this practice is pure phony stereotyping. I've explained why it's bad several dozen times. See Girl Cries Over Indian Costume and Playing Indian for Thanksgiving for the latest examples.

Eagles and flutes"I like how he tells how the Potawatomi came here and what they did," Ethan said, adding he also liked a song Wright, accompanied by the students on drums and noisemakers, sang about an eagle."Noisemakers"?

I guess some tribes may have sung about eagles. They probably were just as likely to sing about fish or insects, but you never hear about those songs.

But I bet traditional Indians didn't sing about eagles any more than modern Americans do. They probably sang about the usual themes: life, death, fate, love, beauty, growing up, growing old, etc. Eagles and wolves are what New Agers and other wannabes think Indian cultures are all about.Ethan's favorite part of the program was when Wright played the flute.Another cliché. I wonder how many tribes actually had flutes and played them for entertainment. Not as many as you'd find in the Native music section of the record store, I'll bet."We don't say good-bye. We say, 'Until our paths cross,'" Wright said, before showing the students a special handshake.These may be legitimate bits of Potawatomi or Cherokee lore, though I wouldn't bet on it.

Conclusion

Overall, I guess this "education" is better than nothing. But the kids probably would learn more from watching modern-day Native movies or reading modern-day Native books or comic books.

Here's a thought. Along with the traditional (i.e., outdated) lore and artifacts, how about showing the kids some modern Indian products? You know...hip-hop records, video games, skateboards, fashion designs, snack foods, etc. Anything to prove that Native are still alive and thriving. Still producing arts and crafts and other cultural goods to meet today's needs.

For more on the subject, see The Basic Indian Stereotypes.

Below:  Not your typical flute or basket. (A painting by Bunky Echo-Hawk.)