April 03, 2013

Tribes should support Native talent

Reality Check, Schimmel Sisters, and the Final Four: Why We Gotta Love and Support Our Own People Better

By Gyasi RossI remember a couple of years ago, a good friend of mine, knowing that I’m a decent lawyer, referred Shoni Schimmel’s family to me. There was this really amazing opportunity for a feature length show highlighting Shoni on TLC (I think it was TLC, but it was one of the better cable networks). Anyway, there were some private investors raising money for the film, which would have highlighted a wonderful and loving Native family who teach their children to work hard and follow their dreams. The Schimmel family wanted someone to review the contract, understandably, to make sure that the girls and the family generally were not being taken advantage of. Being a basketball fan and also a pretty mediocre businessman, I said “Of course, I’ll do whatever you need for free.”

I reviewed it. We discussed the terms in it—all was well. I made my tiny contribution to the project and I figured the film was well on its way to being an Oscar nominee. It was a great story: Native girl from the Rez makes it to the big time, overcoming countless obstacles, because of her loving family’s support.

Unfortunately, it didn’t happen like that. Why?

Well, the project died on the vine because of a lack of money. The investors went to MANY, MANY Tribal councils asking for contributions. “Anything will help,” they said. It wasn’t a particularly big-budget project—much less than many Tribes give to local law enforcement or to any particular parade. But not for this Native basketball prodigy. For her, barely any support. The reason? “She’s not from our Tribe. Obviously she’s a good player, but why should we help with HER project? What do my tribal members get out of it? They want us to invest in our own tribal members."

Seriously.

Now, I take all of the people putting the image of Shoni screaming at Brittney Griner after her AMAZING shot with a grain of salt…yeah, it sounds good to support them now and we should absolutely support them now. But know they’re a proven commodity and are both destined for the WNBA-it doesn’t take too much faith to support them now. But what about when their family had no resources and was unknown a few years ago?

The larger point: we have to invest in Native people when they need it, not just when it’s convenient and easy. We cannot just be fair-weather supporters when they’ve already made it. It’s really easy to “claim” our most successful people after they’re getting accolades from the larger world, but we should be the first cheering section for Native outliers, for the ones trying to become tomorrow’s role models for Native youth. We’ve got to, Tribal citizens and elected officials alike, shoulder some of the responsibility of developing this Native talent if we want to bask in their glory when they win.

We’ve gotta do better at supporting and loving our own people. We could have 30 Shonis and 50 Judes and 100 Adam Beaches and Jacoby Ellsburys, if we created the infrastructure and support systems for that to happen. Forget which Tribe they’re from anymore—nobody cares (nor should they!!) which Tribe Shoni and Jude are from now. Nobody cares what Tribe Adam is; nobody cares which Tribe Jacoby is. We love them because they’re Native. And that’s how we should support our hard-working and talented Natives before they get their big break too.
Comment:  That tribes should support each other is a point I've made many times--especially when it comes to controversies.

It doesn't matter if someone is insulting Lakota, Navajo, Seminole, Nez Perce, or Seneca Indians. Non-Indians think all Indians are the same--that they all fit the Plains Indian stereotype. Non-Indians will tar-and-feather Indians with the same slights, affronts, and stereotypes, so tribes should react accordingly. They should assume an attack on one is an attack on all.

So the Navajo should be concerned when a Victoria's Secret model wears a Plains headdress. The Lakota should be concerned when Urban Outfitters appropriates the "Navajo" name. Similar issues affect every tribe, so they should fight the problems together. It was true when Tecumseh tried to unite the tribes against the white invaders, and it's true now.

For more on the Schimmel sisters, see Schimmel Sisters Advance to Final Four and Preview of Off the Rez.

Below:  "Louisville's guard Shoni Schimmel, center, reacts to her shot over Baylor's Brittney Griner, left, as Louisville's Sheronne Vails, right, stands by during the second half of a regional semifinal in the women's NCAA college basketball tournament in Oklahoma City, Sunday, March 31, 2013. Louisville won 82-81." (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tribal casinos are just as bad. They hire only non-native acts, pay them big and ignore, or refuse native artist, performers and upcoming talent. This says a lot. Even the most remote reservations in the SW don't promote their own local people and if they do, they nickel and dime them, don't advertise or market. They hide behind demographics and money as reasons. Many big name Indian actors and celebs charge the crap out of tribes just to be rude and smug to natives while new talent gets nothing. Now that the Shimmel girls made national TV in sports, you'll hear a cash register from every tribe with a tumbleweed blowing by to some sell outs on the east coast!

Just like Jesse Ed Davis, a Kiowa from Oklahoma. The Kiowas were probably ashamed of him because they are Christian converts with white morals or the Comanches that managed to honor him nearly 20 years after his death. Elvis got high, and he's a king, Hendrix OD'd, but hes on top, so whats the problem with Indians? Still trying to please white people, that's what! Every tribe in Oklahoma want to claim Jesse Ed Davis now?

JET said...

SWWWWWIIING AND A MISS ROB!

This wasn't about an attack on a tribe or a stereotype...where did you read that?

Here's a quote: "Well, the project died on the vine because of a lack of money. The investors went to MANY, MANY Tribal councils asking for contributions. “Anything will help,” they said. It wasn’t a particularly big-budget project—much less than many Tribes give to local law enforcement or to any particular parade. But not for this Native basketball prodigy. For her, barely any support. The reason? “She’s not from our Tribe. Obviously she’s a good player, but why should we help with HER project? What do my tribal members get out of it? They want us to invest in our own tribal members."

Your homework today:
Review "Jets Film Finance Story."

Until tribes see that any positive, modern, role model on the big screen helps THEM ALL...they will continue to see the images and stereotypes that "Hollywood" and the media decide to parade around. The only way to turn the tide is to finance projects that will accomplish this themselves. NO ONE is going to do it for them. The author is correct: It doesn't matter what tribe is represented. It doesn't matter which tribe the actor or performer comes from. The issue is getting Native "themed" material into the mainstream without focusing on the past, or stereotypes or everything else you write about in your blog.

So until a tribe, or tribal member who wants to get into the independent film business steps up and partners with a filmmaker who has the chops to bring a film into distribution in the mainstream, NOTHING is going to change.

If that person contacts you, you know how to contact me.

Lets see if there really is anyone out there who cares enough about a Native presence on the big screen shall we? I ready to go...are they?

All the best,

JET

Rob said...

My point in posting this is what I say it is, Jet.

The primary point is that tribes should help each other. The secondary point is that they should help each other in the area of talent development.

I focused on the main point, and noted how it applies to racial and stereotyping controversies as well as talent development. Sorry if you missed that, though I thought it was clear.

And as you yourself noted, putting modern Natives on the screen helps eliminate stereotypes. So developing Native talent and countering racist beliefs are interrelated issues. Again, sorry if you missed that.