Indians aren't "Indian enough" for Biloxi

Some postings show what happens when you engage with mascot fanatics:

Not “Indian Enough”

Biloxi High School Alumni Perpetuate Ignorance, Cyberbully Natives, and Dictate Who is “Indian Enough” to Have an Opinion in Cultural Appropriation Debate.

By Kayla FaithAlthough the Biloxi High School has long been listed on the American Indian Sports Team Mascots website as racist, the recent display of its uniform blasphemy at D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival has opened the floodgates of opposition. Natives and their allies have stood up against racist mascots and symbolism for decades, but this new age of social media has helped to finally level the playing field. Voices that were once drowned out are finally being heard, especially in Washington where a racial slur is still being casually thrown around in the name of sports. Seeing this display of mockery–an entire marching band in sacred war bonnets–was something no person with any cultural sensitivity or a sense of respect could ignore.

Deloria Lane Many Grey Horses-Violich is one of these people. Peacefully, she generated a Change.org petition calling for Biloxi Superintendent Arthur McMillan to emancipate indigenous peoples from the cultural appropriation of our Tunica-Biloxi cousins. She eloquently defends the teenagers being subjected to the perpetuation of cultural appropriation, stating, “If you want to play the trumpet and represent your school, you have to wear an item that is sacred to many Native cultures.”Biloxi supporters and detractors argued back and forth until this:“If it turns out that they are in fact offended by the uniform,” McWilliams writes, “we will see if we can compromise as far as uniforms are concerned.” Not only does McWilliams confirm that there is no known consent by the Tunica-Biloxi people to use them as a mascot, but she states they will compromise–not resolve–on the issue of their offense.

But next the alumni begin arguing that the Biloxi people themselves are not “Indian enough.” “Their ancestry cannot be 100% confirmed,” McWilliams states, claiming that many think “the tribe, and factual descendants are extinct.” Ignoring the tribe’s status of federal recognition, the group focuses instead on how “watered down” the tribe members are, and question if they’re even Biloxi at all. Lateacha states, “The Biloxi blood line is dead and only traces reside in those at Tunica-Biloxi. In fact you can find old Biloxi French families with as much Biloxi in them. I’d still love to hear from Tunica-Biloxi, but let’s be honest there is no real ‘Voice of the Tribe’ left.”

You want “purebloods”? What are we, dogs?Below:  "Deloria Many Grey Horses-Violich whose Facebook account was repeatedly suspended due to her Indigenous surname."



Faith's conclusion:These Biloxi Alumni demonstrate they honor nothing but stereotypes, cultural appropriation, themselves, and the “Indian” ideal that genuine Natives are fighting to remove. They have no cultural sensitivity and refuse to obtain a proper education in the matter. Furthermore, while indigenous peoples are busy fighting for every aspect of their equality, they are being accused of having “more important things to do”. Apparently adults reminiscing over high school and working overtime to keep racism in the education system is a more important thing to do. These “BHS Indians” pass judgment on “real Indians,” calling them “racists” and “whiners” for standing up for their sovereignties and rights as human beings. As a result, more civilized residents of Biloxi have joined the anti-mascot side in sympathy of the Natives, saying they are disgusted with their ex-classmates’ words and their childish actions. In fact, many have signed our petition.

It is absolutely imperative for the citizens of this country to wake up and realize the unnecessary harm being done by the continued use of racist mascots. The documented psychological damage on both Native and non-Native children should be proof enough of the necessity to change. Humans are not predisposed to prejudice; instead, we are teaching our non-indigenous children cultural insensitivity and our indigenous children low self-worth. We are perpetuating the lies of what constitutes being “Indian enough” and what doesn’t. Stop this injustice, Biloxi, like you finally stopped racially segregating your students in 1970. It’s time we moved beyond delusions of racial inequality.Debating a Biloxi supporter

Kayla Faith also took on a Biloxi High supporter who offered the usual tired arguments for Indian mascots. A sample:

A response to a Biloxi resident3. When a school, sports team, company, etc. chooses a mascot they seek out a symbol that reflects their beliefs and conveys a message about their organization, product, people, etc.

Right, they do. Because there is symbolism behind what they choose. However, when a human being is chosen as a mascot–specifically an entire race of people who identify instead by their own nations–is used by non-Natives to sell their product or promote their image, this is not out of honor. Do you really think these mascots, chosen in times when Natives weren’t even allowed to be American citizens, were really honoring anything? No, they were chosen because Natives were considered non-human. Boarding schools, some of which closed within my lifetime, were set in place by the government to “Kill the Indian, Save the Man”–stripping them of all their clothes, language, religion, anything that made them “Indian”. Children taken from home and assimilated. The government did this. In its very motto, the program clearly parallels a dead Indian to a saved man. Just in case you still didn’t get it, Indian =/= Man. Indian=Animal. Indian=Savage. Indian=Your Mascot, based on these beliefs. These mascots were chosen because they were savage, uncontrollable animals, noted for their resilience to assimilation. WE are proud of our resilience to assimilation, but THEY were not. THEY tried to beat it out of our ancestors. To THEM, we were worthless farm animals to be tamed and broken. No different than the way they treated our black cousins. THAT is why this HAS TO STOP.

4. Biloxi High School chose the Biloxi Indian based on the history of the Biloxi Indian Tribe who resided here but also because it represents strength, honor, spirit, bravery and character.

There is no evidence of why they chose this. If you think that name represents those things, then you believe in the Indian stereotype. The Tanêks simply left. They wanted nothing to do with the British. I am not speaking ill of them when I say their leaving in no way earns them the right to be stereotyped as the resilient “savage.” They were resilient, absolutely, but not in a way you comprehend. You don’t recognize their struggle for federal recognition because, as you demonstrated in your dialogue with us, you know nothing about Indian Affairs, Tribal Law, or our histories. You just pretend like you do, but you’re reiterating the same stereotyping lies that we have had to shoot down time and time again. When will it end??Below:  Old school images show how Biloxi High students have always viewed Indians in false and stereotypical terms.



Someone listens to an Indian

One person did listen to the Indians who protested the Biloxi "Indians," including one from the Tunica-Biloxi tribe. His name is Jean-Luc Pierite and she began her response to him:

Just a Biloxi girl….Who has opened her eyesHe said mockery, people. MOCKERY. This is the truest, most heartfelt opinion about the Tribe’s feelings that he could give. The fact is: we are not honoring them. At all. Period. End of discussion. There are ifs, ands, or buts. It’s a done deal. All these years, it’s been viewed as nothing but a mockery. And an imaginary honorary tradition. It was quite clear to me what this article said, even if just in the undertones of it.

Some also felt that his article was an attack directed towards Deloria Many Grey Horses, who originated the petition to change the uniform of the marching band. By the end of his article, he suggest that people educate themselves on his tribe. Many people thought he was directing that to the opposition. Wrong. So. Very. Wrong. His target was none other than those in favor of supporting the headdress and mascot. Those who claimed it to be “heritage,” “tradition” and “in honor of.” Those who claimed “honor” then in the next sentence said something disparaging towards a Native American culture. Oh, okay. So it’s okay to make a “joke” about something, but it’s not okay when those you are joking about take offense? Right….

Deloria Many Grey Horses has a picture on several of these articles. It is of her, holding a sign that says “#notyourmascotbiloxi.” Many of the alumni, sadly including myself, took a stab at this. Many negative remarks were made. Things like “Of course she’s not. She’s not even American.” or “She is psycho. Of COURSE she’s not our mascot. Who is stupid enough to want her as one?”

Many people felt that Deloria has an agenda. A personal vendetta, for no good reason. I, too, felt that she was just attacking the school because she could. I did extensive research on Deloria prior to Jean-Luc’s article. I did even more after. What did I find? I found that Deloria, in fact, DOES have an agenda. GASP! Of course she does. Her agenda is this: to bring an end to the racism and discrimination towards Native People. Towards ALL people. She aims to educate the populace about the negative effects these types of incidents have on our youth. OUR YOUTH. Not just Native American youth.Comment:  For more on Biloxi High School, see Biloxi Headdresses Are "Dignified and Proper"? and Indians Protest Biloxi "Indians."

#IndigenizeZuckerberg

Deloria Many Grey Horses started a petition to change the nickname of the Biloxi High School Indians. This led Biloxi supporters to get her banned from Facebook. The reason? Because her Indian last name supposedly violated Facebook's policy against using fake names.

Bullies Can Silence Native Americans on Facebook With the Click of a MouseHere's what we're dealing with: If you disagree with an Indian activist, you can report her Facebook page as fake, get it shut down, disrupt her life and saddle her with the arduous task of proving her own identity to get reinstated. It's the rhetorical equivalent of punching someone in the mouth when you realize you're losing an argument.

Colorlines was on to this idea a month ago with the story "How White Separatists Disable Native American Facebook Accounts," although it hinges on putting credence in the statement from PLE, a very small group that is obviously seeking attention. But the events of last week support Colorlines' thesis. Around the time ICTMN was publishing Many Grey Horses' piece, her Facebook page was shut down for a second time. Activists from Not Your Mascot captured the following from a Facebook group supporting the Biloxi High School Band:Although the capture above references "hate speech," Many Grey Horses wasn't suspended for hate speech, she was suspended as a fake profile. It's possible that this particular Biloxi supporter was not the only one who reported Many Grey Horses.

Activist and ICTMN contributor Jacqueline Keeler, who heads the group Eradicate Offensive Native Mascotry (EONM), has run into plenty of static from those who disagree with her online. To protest the actions against Many Grey Horses (who is Keeler's cousin), Keeler and EONM organized a campaign dubbed "All Natives Become Zuckerbergs! Protest FB Name Policy" (hashtagged as #IndigenizeZuckerberg) which called on Natives to change their last names to Zuckerberg (a reference to Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg) and to use the following image on their profile:

For more on Biloxi High School, see Biloxi Headdresses Are "Dignified and Proper"? and Indians Protest Biloxi "Indians."

Biloxi Indian criticizes Biloxi "Indians"

Two weeks after the Biloxi "Indians" controversy broke out, we finally heard from people connected with the real Biloxi Indians:

Biloxi Indians aren't complaining about band's use of name, headdress

Spokesman says he's heard no mention of issue

By Paul HamptonThere are no Biloxi Indians in or around Biloxi. They moved on to Louisiana about the time the first Europeans started poking around the area that is now the Mississippi Coast.

And the 600 or so who live on and near the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation in and around Marksvillle, La., don't seem much concerned that a high school band is using their name and ceremonial headdresses. No one from the tribe returned phone calls or emails requesting a comment.

The tribe's Facebook page and websites are more concerned with their lucrative Paragon Casino Resort, an upcoming Pow-Wow and a Language and Culture Camp.

"It hasn't come up in the year I've been working with them," said Malcolm Ehrhardt of the tribe's PR firm, The Ehrhardt Group.

Raymond Daye, co-editor of the Avoyelles Today newspaper in Marksville, said he hasn't heard any complaints of that nature from the tribe.

"I don't think they've ever complained about that," he said. "I think 'more business and less politics' is the motto over there."A lack of complaint about an issue that hasn't come up is basically nothing, of course. It's a far cry from approving or disapproving the mascotry.

Unlike the non-Native PR flack quoted above, here's what an actual Tunica-Biloxi Indian had to say:

Educate yourself about the people of Tunica-Biloxi

By Jean-Luc PieriteThe headdress worn by the Biloxi High School band is an ill-informed costume-design choice.

That said, our communities are faced with such challenges that if a group of outsiders would parade in mockery under the guise of honor, then it wouldn't make much difference.

It neither hurts nor helps my Tribe's unemployment rate.

Nor does it determine the fate of crucial social programs that have gone underfunded since the decline of our so-called "lucrative" enterprise.

For the Biloxi-Chitimacha, to my knowledge, your "honor" does not rebuild their homes.

Nor does it provide them with the resources to legitimize the claim that they continue as they have for centuries as an indigenous population.Comment:  For more on Biloxi High School, see Biloxi Headdresses Are "Dignified and Proper"? and Indians Protest Biloxi "Indians."

Biloxi headdresses are "dignified and proper"?

School mascots: What’s in a name?

By Therese ApelIndian Country Today Media Network published an angry column in which Deloria Many Grey Horses thanks the school for bringing awareness to the objectification of Native Americans in today’s world.

“Dehumanizing of Native Americans is not acceptable,” she said, berating the school for not only the mascot but the fact that the band members wore American Indian headdresses in the parade.

“My struggles in life motivated me to stand up to Biloxi High School. I reposted the article, and a community leader whom I greatly respect encouraged me to call the school to make a complaint,” Many Grey Horses wrote.

Biloxi School District Superintendent Arthur McMillan did not have much to say on the subject.

“Our band represents Biloxi—and not only Biloxi but the Coast and the state—in a very dignified and proper manner. And we’re very proud of them,” he said.Yes, many many people think Plains headdresses are "dignified and proper." That's why they steal appropriate and wear these headdresses--to look like something they're not. To pretend to be dignified and proper people of another race.

It's called blackface when white people dress up as African Americans. It's called redface when they dress up as Native Americans. Same problem, same offense.

This practice stereotypes all Indians as headdress-wearing savages from the 19th century. It causes racism and ignorance toward today's Indians to flourish. And that causes proven psychological harm.

These Biloxi "Indians" are living proof of this ignorance. They don't know jack about the people they're supposedly honoring.

Even a Biloxi defender sort of gets it:

Biloxi "Indians" mascot offensive? Some Native Americans shout 'Yes!'

By Joe RogersPerhaps the most egregious offense Biloxi stands accused of is historical inaccuracy: The protesters note that headdresses were worn by Plains Indians, not the Biloxi variety.

"So I would suggest to the Biloxi Alumni that if you're talking about honoring or respecting the Biloxi Tribe, please show respect to the actual traditions of the Biloxi Tribe," Ms. Violich/Many Grey Horses exhorts in an article under her byline in the Indian Country publication under the heading, "I Am Not Your Mascot, Biloxi!"

If I were a Biloxi "Indian," that criticism would sting a bit. And I don't know how long the headdresses have been part of the uniform; pictures I've seen from the 1970s show band students in simple headbands, with a few features protruding from the rear.

Perhaps a return to that would appease the protesters. But I doubt it.Comment:  For more on Biloxi High School, see Indians Protest Biloxi "Indians" and Biloxi Indians Learn They're Offensive.

Indians protest Biloxi "Indians"

Houska: 'I Didn't Know' Doesn't Cut It Anymore

By Tara HouskaI was at the Georgetown waterfront enjoying the sun when I received a message from my friend Sarah Crawford, a citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. The Biloxi High School band from Mississippi was marching in the parade, and every single student was wearing a faux headdress that would be the envy of Coachella. Sarah sent me a video of nearly two hundred students clad in bright red and white headdresses, expressing her shock and discomfort at the display.

Here, in the Nation’s Capital, home of the most prominent Native mascot debate in the country, an entire brigade of high school students proudly wore the embodiment of cultural appropriation. Immediately the question of whether it was intentional came to mind–not one of these students had a fleeting moment of hesitation? Not one envisioned the subsequent petition denouncing their choice of attire?And:The history of playing Indian in the United States is a long one, harkening back to the days when government-sponsored genocide of Native peoples was the norm. Sentimental racism is difficult for many to let go of; love of team, love of romanticized Native American cultures is far easier to accept than the harsh realities of the historic and ongoing treatment of a people that continue to exist.

But frankly, at this point it’s getting old. Sentimental racism is still racism. With every new appropriation incident, with every new protest or educational event organized by Native communities, it becomes more and more difficult to legitimately claim: “I didn’t know.”I Am Not Your Mascot, Biloxi!

By Deloria Many Grey HorsesOn Tuesday morning April 13, 2015, I was reading through my newsfeed on Facebook. I came across an Indian Country article on F.A.I.R. Media (Fair Accurate Indigenous Representation). The article featured the Biloxi “Indians” High School marching band from Biloxi, Mississippi wearing headdresses as part of the band uniforms. The band, made up of 81 students, recently preformed in Washington, DC at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. On national television, the entire band performed in Native American Plains-style headdresses.

I remember taking a deep breath as my heart sank into my stomach. As an Indigenous woman from the Blackfoot Confederacy, Chickasaw, and Yankton Sioux Nations I have experienced racism first hand. I am visibly First Nations/Native American and I also carry my maternal grandfather’s last name Many Grey Horses. As a child, I was teased for being a "dirty squaw" and told to get back to the reserve where I belonged. As a child in elementary school it was hard not to internalize these hateful remarks from peers and adults. Research has shown racism is a learned behavior from birth to the teenage years. My peers didn’t just wake up one day and say, “I’m going to be a racist.” Rather, the most likely place where they learned racism—consciously and unconsciously—is in their homes. I recall feeling isolated, dreading the first day of class each year just because I knew the teachers would be calling out our last name. I always felt targeted for being different. I saw the subtle dirty looks directed at my appearance, coming from peers and even teachers. The unspoken message came across loud and clear: That my Nativeness does not have a place in the aesthetic of colonialism.And:My struggles in life motivated me to stand up to Biloxi High School. I reposted the article and a community leader whom I greatly respect encouraged me to call the school to make a complaint. Although, the school did not answer any of my calls I was able to leave a complaint with the Biloxi Superintendent's office. I thought to myself, “Why stop here?” With the help of a fellow Berkeley alum and another community advocate, I started a petition on Change.org requesting Biloxi to please change their band uniform and mascot.

Within four days, we got over 500 signatures. People across Turtle Island who are just as passionate on the subject took to social media and help raise awareness about the petition. I was pleased with the support the petition was getting, so I shared an update on my Facebook page yesterday. Within a few hours I received an email from Facebook stating that I had been reported for using a fake name and my account was temporarily shut down. I had to provide a government-issued ID in order to have my account reactivated.

Biloxi High School Alumni are defending themselves by stating they are "honoring" Native Americans—when it appears they are simply "playing Indian," something that doesn't honor us at all. The available research on the history on the Biloxi Tribe reveals that the majority of the Biloxi Nation was decimated by the chicken pox epidemic in the 1800s and then the remaining members were forcibly removed to Missouri. The Biloxi language is extinct and their traditional headdress is not the Northern Plains style headdress.

So I would suggest to the Biloxi Alumni that if you're talking about honoring or respecting the Biloxi Tribe, please show respect to the actual traditions of the Biloxi Tribe.Comment:  For more on Biloxi High School, see Biloxi Indians Learn They're Offensive and Biloxi High School Stereotypes Indians.

Biloxi Indians learn they're offensive

It took a few days, but the Biloxi High School Indians eventually learned they'd done something wrong. Namely, trivializing the Plains Indian cultures located a thousand miles away.

Biloxi Indians band uniform sparks controversy

By Trang Pham-BuiA symbol of pride for the Biloxi High family has come under fire. A recent online article criticizes the Biloxi High marching band's uniform. The controversy was sparked by the band's recent appearance in a parade in Washington D.C. The article specifically targets the band members' feather headdresses, saying they are disrespectful to Native American cultures.Most of the short article was devoted to letting the mascot lovers defend their stereotypical actions without challenge:"It's not disrespecting Indians in any manner, because it was not done in disrespect when it started," said Edwards.

"I think it's a crock. They need to leave it alone," said Artie Desporte.And:"I don't see how it's hurting anybody. It's just a tradition for the school. It was the mascot and everything, and it went along with the school. I mean, if they change it, it's not going to be the same," said Desporte. "I don't see where it's anybody's business or it's hurting anybody putting on those outfits. It ain't like they're trying to down them. They're just proud of their heritage."

"I think everyone has their point of view. From my point of view, the Biloxi High Indian band kept me in school, kept a lot of folks in school, kept the community together, kept pride in the community," said Edwards. "Biloxi is a proud town. It has a heritage, and for the folks in their 70s and 80s that remember this school for what it was, there was a lot of pride in this community."

You're marching in freakin' headdresses in Washington DC and that's not our business?! Stay behind 10-foot walls and put bags over your heads if you don't want to share your mascots publicly. Otherwise, you're clearly telling us about your "Indian" pride, sending us a message, and that certainly is our business.

f you were walking down the street with a Confederate flag or a black dummy in a noose, would that also be none of our business? Wrong, you blithering idiot. Racism that affects everyone is everyone's business.

You wanted a public reaction to your public display of headdresses. Now you're getting one. Stop whining about it like babies and start dealing with it like adults.

Protests continue

Meanwhile, the protests continued:

Petition asks Biloxi to change Indian mascot

Petition calls for Biloxi High School to stop using Indians name, headdresses; counter-petition started

By Regina ZilbermintsThe Biloxi School District has been drawn into the national debate over whether it's acceptable for schools or sports teams to appropriate Native American words or imagery.

One online petition, asking the Biloxi Indians to ditch the mascot, has gotten more than 680 supporters. A counter petition, asking officials to keep the name, has garnered more than 1,900 signatures.

Biloxi school officials, though, say they aren't interested in wading into the fray.

"It's not an issue locally," said Biloxi School District Superintendent Arthur McMillan. "Our band represents Biloxi, and not only Biloxi but the Coast and the state, in a very dignified and proper manner. And we're very proud of them."The petition in question:

Please change your Band uniforms and Mascot #notyourmascot

And the predictable counter-petition:

Save the Biloxi High School Mascot & TraditionThe BHS Indian mascot and headdress is not to be offensive, rather to show our pride and honor to be able to represent our strong history here in Mississippi.I like how they declare the headdress "is not to be offensive." As if their wishes and hopes mean anything to us.

Fact is, non-Natives wearing Plains headdresses are offensive to many Indians. It doesn't matter what the non-Natives' intent is. All that matters is the physical act of misusing the headdress for non-ceremonial reasons.

And I love how they talk about "our strong history." Their strong history of not being Native, not knowing Natives, not knowing anything about Natives. Their strong "history" of ignoring or misrepresenting the actual Biloxi Indians. Of falsely portraying them as warbonneted chiefs of the Plains rather than the Delta.

So they're targeting a single race for false and harmful stereotyping. What's it called when you discriminate against one race? Oh, yeah...racism.



I like how the image on the "don't change" petition proves how stereotypical the Biloxi mascot is. He's savage!

Biloxi High School stereotypes Indians

Photos and videos such as these appeared in social media today, setting off a protest that still continues.



Biloxi High School Band and Boosters
BHS Band in the parade. You guys did fantastic!

You get the idea. Hundreds of "Biloxi Indians," the school's team name, marching in stereotypical Plains headdresses.

Indian Country Today was one of the first media outlets to condemn this stereotyping. It reported a few days later:

Mass Display of Non-Natives in Headdresses--and No, It's Not Coachella[A] reader alerted us to another mass display of non-Natives in headdresses, at the opposite end of the continent. In Washington, DC, the National Cherry Blossom Festival concluded on Saturday with a parade that featured dozens of headdresses. The wearers weren't hipsters, or new-age hucksters, or supermodels -- they were high school students from Mississippi. The Biloxi High School marching band, which supports the school's teams, the Biloxi Indians, took part in the parade wearing their typical uniform, which includes a feather headdress.

It's not one mascot wearing a feather headdress, or a drum major or majorettes in the headdresses. It's every member of the band. You can see some less-than-sharp photos of the parade on the Biloxi High School Band and Boosters Facebook page, but there are better ones on the Biloxi Public Schools page, which is where we found the images below.

It's one thing for adults going to a music festival to wear headdresses. Let's face it, there are jerks in this world who aren't going to respect other people or their cultural traditions. But this is engrained disrespect. This is a uniform that everyone in the band must wear. If you want to play the trumpet and represent your school, you have to wear an item that is sacred in many Native cultures. If you want to support your team--the Indians remember--with your musical talents, you have to dress in a way that upsets many real-world Indians. Are these teenagers aware that they're trivializing something that many American Indians hold dear? Are Biloxi High School administrators aware that many Native Americans will be deeply offended by the manner in which they show their school pride?

We'd like to believe that people are born respecting each other, and that cultural insensitivity (and more extreme forms of prejudice and bigotry) are learned behaviors. Teenagers are fertile minds, they're learning behaviors every day. What are these boys and girls being taught about respect for Native people?