Totally Biased comedian on Indians

Comedian W. Kamau Bell Discusses Natives in Entertainment and 'Totally Biased'

By Vincent SchillingComedian W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, a politically-charged weekly show on the FX Network executive-produced by Chris Rock, had the best of intentions in the days leading up to the Presidential Inauguration. Bell had made arrangements to bring the Totally Biased crew to film a segment at the American Indian Society's Inaugural Ball--but as things happen sometimes in the television world, Bell and company's commitments earlier in the day ran long and they were not able to make it as a film crew. But in an act of admirable courtesy, Bell and several of his colleagues traveled to the AIS Ball to apologize in person.

In radio interview with Bell on Native Trailblazers, hosted by Vincent Schilling and in another follow-up interview, Bell discussed his thoughts on Native Americans and minorities in the film and TV industry and what it takes to make it as a person of color.

Why do you think society does not give much attention to Native American people?

I think America loves a far-off magical story. For example, every few months there is some sort of tragedy around the world and we all love to look to the newest, greatest, latest tragedy. Tragedy tourism is a big part of being an American. "Oh, something happened in Haiti? Let me get out my cell phone and donate $10. Ok I'm done with Haiti. Oh, there is a tsunami in Japan? I got it; I got $10 for that too." That texting thing made it even easier to pretend like you care.

What do you think about minorities as role models or heroes?

With Native people I feel like we skipped over them, at least in the entertainment industry. Even now you have South Asians are getting doors opened for them a little bit, and 10 years ago all of the Latino people were on TV like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin and George Lopez. But hey, what about the people who were here when we all got here? When are they going to get a TV show?

Until you get some success in the mainstream, where are you going to find the heroes? For me, I liked Superman because at least he had brown hair. Native American super heroes are always tied to earthly elements. Why does he always have to hang with the Wolf? And usually their powers are not in any way relevant to any sort of real history or culture.

The black superhero was the Falcon, what was his power? He was good with birds. He talked to birds, he could fly--but flying is your low-level superpower. Being good with birds will really help him when he gets attacked by a giant monster. Even Aquaman looked down on that dude.Comment:  For more on TV's portrayal of Indians, see How John Redcorn Evolved and Stereotyping Explained to South Park Apologists.

Navajo Nation band at the inauguration

President Obama delivers second inaugural address

By Alysa LandryFollowing his speech, Obama led the inaugural parade, which snaked along a 1.5-mile route along Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol building to the White House. Tens of thousands of spectators filled bleachers that lined the route.

It was one of the biggest–and most prestigious–audiences the Navajo Nation Band has ever had.

"It was a bit cold and everyone was nervous," Darwyn Jackson, band director, said during a phone interview Tuesday. "But once we made that final turn onto Pennsylvania Avenue, we knew we were making history."

About 80 band members made the journey from the Navajo Nation to march in the parade, Jackson said. The parade included entries from across the country, hand-selected by the Presidential Inauguration Committee.

After walking the route himself, Obama took his place at the Presidential Reviewing Stand, where he waved and cheered for about 8,800 people participating in the parade, including bands, dancers, celebrity musicians and children on unicycles.

"Some of us got the chance to see Obama," said Valerie Harrison, the band's administrative coordinator and assistant band director. "Some of us saw him wave at us."Comment:  For more on the 2013 inauguration, see At the NMAI's Inaugural Ball and Woman Warriors on CBS.

At the NMAI's inaugural ball

NMAI: A Rich Native Nations Inaugural Ball—Mitt Romney Loincloths and All

By Rob CapricciosoThere were many intriguing celebrations in Washington, D.C. during the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, but the Native Nations Inaugural Ball took the prize. Just ask the guy wearing the loincloth made out of a Mitt Romney campaign shirt.

The event, a first-of-its kind glitzy fundraiser for (and at) the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), had a bounty of uniquely American Indian moments. A member of the 1491s comedy group joked about pulling some of the sacred headdresses on display at the museum out of the cases to add to the authenticity; First Nations comedian Gerry Barrett said if he were president, he’d fill the White House lawn with grazing buffalo; and some of the tribal leaders, lobbyists and spouses were decked out not in black tie, sequins and diamonds, but bolos, feathers and turquoise.

Tickets for the January 21 gala fundraiser were $1,000 per person. Gold sponsors, the Chickasaw Nation and Morongo Band of Mission Indians, donated $100,000 each. Other sponsors donated a combined total of copy million, according to an NMAI program.

The money showed, and flowed. The emcee was Twilight movies star Chaske Spencer; there were several musical and comedy performances; four floors of the museum were dotted with cocktail tables, candles and fancy tablecloths. The Native Nations ball even apparently outspent the president’s two official balls on at least one major front: food and drink. Reports surfaced that at the two galas the president attended with First Lady Michelle Obama at the Washington Convention Center, Cheeze-Its and pretzels were served, while drink lines were 40 people long. At the NMAI, buffalo filets, pear-infused vodka and ginger-apple sparkling water were abundant.

The high cost of the fundraiser was a sensitive subject for some attendees, who said they knew it kept out friends who would have liked to have been there. The fact that the American Indian Society of Washington hosted a less pricey Native-focused ball and powwow in Arlington, Va. the night before put some peoples’ minds at ease.And:The only sour note for many Indians who made the trek to the capital was that the president didn’t mention American Indians in any of the inaugural events. “We didn’t get mentioned all day today,” lamented Harris. “Everybody seemed to have a role to play but us—I think we have a lot more work to do.”

Chris Stearns, a Navajo lawyer and former congressional staffer, said he expects Obama to be more specific about addressing Indian issues in his second term. “He did want to hit some of the larger societal issues, and I think he did a great job with his plea to America to use its strength to ‘be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice....’ I came away feeling that, as a Native American, my family and I are really more a part of America than ever before.”Comment:  For more on the 2013 inauguration, see Woman Warriors on CBS and Native Nations Inaugural Ball.

Below:  "Museum director Kevin Gover giving introductory remarks and remembering tribal leaders who walked on in past year." (Rob Capriccioso)

Woman Warriors on CBS

Native American Women Warriors Receive Mainstream National Coverage on CBS

By Vincent SchillingThe Native American Women Warriors, an all Native American women’s color guard, consisting of female veterans from all branches of service, have received national and mainstream media coverage on their participation in the 2013 Inaugural festivities.

Over the past week, CBS and other news organizations have followed the NAWW group as they have made their way to Washington D.C. to participate specifically in the American Indian Society Inaugural Ball and Powwow and the Inauguration Parade of re-elected President Barack Obama.

The story will air at 6 p.m. EST on the CBS Evening News and will be the last story of the evening highlighted their week’s activities.

According to CBS correspondent Byron Pitts, “We were looking for a story to do about a group participating in the inaugural parade and the Native American women warriors seemed to be a perfect fit. It is a story that probably most Americans didn't know. I think one of my lines in the story was, 'all of them have different stories of struggle that led to great success.'"How NAWW got started:

Native American Women Warriors Celebrate Inauguration While Raising Awareness for Native Female Veterans

By Vincent SchillingWhile jingle dresses generally have a bright mixture of colors and are adorned with jingle bells, those worn by BigMan and the other two female vets proudly displayed large emblems of their branch of service on their backs. When an elder, Camille Clairmont, noticed how their red, white and blue jingle dresses were decorated—with the women’s designation of unit and rank, as well as U.S. flags and Iraqi Freedom patches—she asked Mitchelene why they were not with the other color guards.

When BigMan explained that they were not official color guards, Clairmont told them “the dresses speak for themselves.” Meaning, they looked as if they belonged in the color-guard procession.

BigMan agreed, and the three women decided they would join the other color guards. The male color guards told them to go at the end of the line, behind all of the male veteran color guards. BigMan was at first discouraged but then realized their position in the rear of the line was not a dishonor, but rather, a special position, since they’d be the last color guards seen.

As the color guards entered the arena, the emcee announced, “History has been made today—in all my years as an emcee, there has never been an all-female Native American color guard, and so I have the privilege in announcing our first.” And through such accidents is history made.

After marching at the Denver powwow, BigMan decided to officially serve as an all-women Native color guard. She founded The Native American Women Warriors, a non-profit organization that seeks to address the needs of today’s modern military women. Her Women Warriors are also the first all Native American female color guard. They now regularly serve as a color guard at powwows, and travel all over the country for events honoring Native veterans.Comment:  For more on the subject, see First Female Native Color Guard.

Native Nations Inaugural Ball

Native Nations Inaugural BallJoin the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in celebrating the inauguration of the President of the United States. Situated only blocks from the United States Capitol building, the Museum is the perfect location to mark this historic event and to highlight the self-determination of Native nations. The Inaugural Ball will feature music, dancing and Native cuisine. Funds raised will support the educational programs of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Chaske Spencer, Master of Ceremony

Evening entertainment will feature:

Murray Porter Band
Martha Redbone
Crystal Shawanda
DJ Kiss Zuni
1491s
Gabriel Ayala
Gerry Barrett
The Grascals

The funds raised from the National Museum of the American Indian’s Inaugural Ball will allow the Museum to produce additional programs, help us correct misperceptions about Native history, and affirm the relevance and impact of Native Americans, past and present. With your support, the Museum can become the national platform for the discussion of topics relevant to Tribal Nations, both in the Museums in Washington, D.C., and New York, and in communities across the country.Comment:  For details on Obama's inauguration in 2009, see Obama's Best Speech Ever? and Celebrating Obama's Inauguration.

Below:  Chaske Spencer.

First female Native color guard

Mitchelene BigMan: Native American woman warrior

By Samara FreemarkWatch carefully during President Obama’s second inaugural parade this month, and you will see among the marching bands and the civic organizations a small group of women wearing bright blue dresses embroidered with the beading of their tribes and the insignia of their service. They are the Native American Women Warriors (NAWW), and they’re recognized as the country’s first all-female, all-Native American color guard.

NAWW was founded in 2010 by Mitchelene BigMan, a 22-year Army veteran and member of the Crow Nation. She served as a diesel mechanic at bases in Germany and Korea and did two tours in Iraq before retiring as a sergeant first class in 2009.

I called BigMan to ask about her time in the Army, why she founded the Warriors, and to hear what she thinks about the issues facing women and Native Americans in the military.And:What was it like to be a Native American woman in the Army?

When I first got in, the Indian thing was hard. Some people must have thought we were extinct. They’d say, “You’re the first Indian I’ve ever met. Do you still live in teepees?” They thought, with us living on the reservation, we’re nomadic or something. They’d raise a right hand and say “How.” I was like, “How what? How I’m going to smack your teeth in because of the fact you’re making fun of me?” I was very defensive about my culture, my race. Still am.

As a female it was kind of a struggle especially since, being a mechanic, I was in a lot of all-male battalions. When I first joined up, the mindset at that time was that it was a man’s army. I ran a mechanics shop in Korea, and I would tell them, “This is the problem with your vehicle,” but they wouldn’t take my word on it. They’d take my private’s word because he was male. I was like, “Wait a minute, I’m in charge!” But they never gave me that sense of belonging.

We hear a lot about sexual harassment in the military. [The Department of Defense estimates that about 19,000 cases of sexual assault had occurred in the military in 2011.] Did you ever experience that yourself?

I experienced a lot of sexual harassment and I was raped. That happened in 1995. I was in officer’s school. I went to borrow a bat from my best friend—well, I thought he was my best friend. We both played on our company’s softball team at the time. When I walked in, the door swung shut; I didn’t catch it in time. But I wasn’t worried; he was my friend.

I didn’t make it out of that room. Well, I eventually did, but not the way I went in.Native American Women Warriors post colors at Obama’s Dec. 5 tribal meeting

Comment:  For more on Indians in the military, see First Female Native General and Menominee Soldier in VP Debate.

Below:  "Native American Women Warriors founder Mitchelene BigMan of Lodge Grass, Mont. (center) joins NAWW officers Sarah Baker of Camp Lejeune, N.C. (left) and Julia Kelly of Billings, Mont., as they prepare to serve as color guard during the White House Tribal Nations Conference in December." (Photo by Getty Images)