Aboriginal youths to carry Olympic flame

Akwesasne Mohawk retrieve Olympic Flame from GreeceAronhiaies Herne, a 23-year-old teacher and cultural program coordinator from the Mohawk community of Akwesasne, has been selected as one of 11 aboriginal youths that will have the job of a lifetime over the next few months–running with the Olympic Flame as its guide and protector to ensure it keeps burning bright on its cross-Canada journey.

He will be joined by two Akwesasne Mohawks who were also chosen to have an active part in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay–Mike Benedict Jr. (community torchbearer) and Howard “Iothore” Thompson (honorary elder fire keeper).

Herne’s journey as a flame attendant began Oct. 27 when he traveled to Greece, the birthplace of the modern-day Olympic Games, to safeguard the flame as it made its way to Canada. He is one of two aboriginal youths chosen to retrieve the Olympic Flame based on his performance at a test event. He was selected to watch over and maintain the flame before and during the longest domestic relay in Olympic history.
Comment:  For more on the subject, see Protests Planned Against Torch Relay and Native Leaders, Youth Target Olympics.

Liv Tyler = Cherokee Pocahontas?!

In Indians, Wizards, Fairies, and Ghouls, a blogger named Brooke denounced stereotypical Halloween costumes. This generated a typical debate on the subject, with defenders of racism trotting out the usual defenses of racism. (E.g., "stop being so sensitive," "this is just PC," "get over it.")

One anonymous commenter had slightly more original arguments, which correspondent DMarks and I responded to. This led to the following debate within a debate:Anonymous said...

so, you're complaining that people are confusing 'real' and 'mythical' characters, and then getting offended that the costumes don't represent the 'real' versions. obviously they don't; as you yourself said to begin with, halloween is about dressing up as mythical characters.

there's no room for sarcasm or satire in your description, to say nothing of humor or imagination. commenters taking it upon themselves to police other people's true identities are, i'd say, more disturbing than pocahontas outfits.

there's a lot of serious racism out there, and a lot of it comes out to play on halloween. any costume which amounts to kicking its subject while they are down, figuratively speaking, really should be suspect (unless we happen to think they deserve to be kicked... dubya, say). in other words, power differences do matter. but the notion that absolutely any representation involving an ethnicity is automatically racist isn't very helpful. if it is extended to a space alien costume whose only offense is to expose the absurdity of the notion that fellow humans are branded as aliens, you've clearly gone way too far.

dmarks said...

The last anon above this comment said: "but the notion that absolutely any representation involving an ethnicity is automatically racist isn't very helpful."

Is that even relevant? Can you point to even one of these Native-related costumes that is not a blatant stereotype, and thus racist?

I think you'd have a point if there were a bunch of Wilma Mankiller, Chief Joseph, and John Herrington costumes alongside the eternal parade of Chiefs, Squaws, and Braves.

Anonymous said...

the fact that it is *possible* to construe something (eg the illegal alien costume) as racist, does not make it racist, any more than the converse is true--that the fact that it is *possible* to construe a racist costume as satirizing the absurdity of race makes it okay.

the point is that blanket proclamations such as 'all costumes involving ethnically linked representations are racist' aren't, in fact, part of a grown-up discussion of racism. grown-ups have to make distinctions, interpretations, and deal with the fact that if other people don't see it exactly the same way it doesn't necessarily mean either one of you is wrong, or not a 'real' person of color, or 'serious' about the discussion.

Anonymous said...

liv taylor's dad is of cherokee descent. so it's at least partly 'her' identity she's wearing, too.

My response:

No one has said anything like "All costumes involving ethnically linked representations are racist," Anonymous. You know, the straw-man argument you keep putting falsely in quotes?

Brooke made it clear what she was talking about when she wrote:Why is it socially acceptable to dress like the stereotypical Indian: "Brave", "Chief", "Princess", "Squaw", "Maiden"?So why aren't you dealing with what she actually said? Is it because you can't, or you won't?

DMarks reiterated the point when he noted that no one is dressing up as a real Indian--e.g., Wilma Mankiller or John Herrington. If you disagree, post a link to anyone trick-or-treating as a 20th or 21st century Indian. Go ahead...we'll wait.

Tyler is part-Cherokee...so Pocahontas costume is okay?

Hysterically, your comment about Liv Tyler proves our point, not yours. Cherokees didn't wear buckskin outfits like Disney's Pocahontas. Here's what a typical Cherokee looked like:

Sequoyah



So Liv Tyler's stereotypical costume has reinforced your stereotypical notion of what Indians look like. And you were too ignorant to know the difference. To you, all Indians resemble the caricatures in old Westerns and sports logos.

You either don't know or don't care that Indians come from hundreds of disparate cultures. That they're as different from each other as the people of Ireland, Greece, Russia, Sweden, and Spain. To you, they're all the same.

To reiterate, you thought Liv Tyler = Cherokee = Indian princess = Pocahontas. You thought this because you've seen it in countless Halloween costumes. Thanks for demonstrating so clearly what's wrong with pretending to be an "Indian" on Halloween.

Round 2Anonymous said...

rob--to paraphrase joan baez, you know a lot.

you're wrong, of course. the op does clearly extend the argument to all ethnic costumes. it's both implicit and explicit; eg, she states:
"Its not cool to dress up like a Native American, or a person of Asian, Mexican, African decent or any other ethnic group ever lived for that matter!" (sic)

so no straw men were harmed in the making of this argument--at least not from my side.

as for your example of what a 'typical' cherokee looked like: isn't the whole point of this discussion to expose the problems with generalization and stereotyping? you've arbitrarily picked one individual from one specific time period (why not present day? why not 15th century?) as a 'typical' representation. it's no more valid than pointing to a picture of a cowboy wearing a blue bandanna as evidence that a halloween costume using a red bandanna is wrong.

on the other hand, you presume to know a great deal about what i think and where i learned it--all of which happens to be false. you are avoiding several issues brought up in my and others' posts already. the most obvious of which is simply "who decides?" why should i let you decide for me (or for liv tyler, for that matter) what my identity means to me, or what a costume means to that identity? if you want 'authentic' costumes, fine, ban all fancydancing outfits--you've proclaimed them an insult to your (and the wearers') cultures. if on the other hand you admit that culture is a living, changing, heterogeneous thing, perfectly capable of accommodating fancy beadwork and etc., well then, i'm sorry, but neither you nor any other individual is in charge of how exactly it gets interpreted, reinvented, and repurposed.

all of this ignores the initial fallacy of the original posting: as if the point of halloween costumes is to create authentic representations of real people. obviously, it isn't, and never has been, as the op herself initially acknowledged.

there is a genuine racist hazard lurking (sometimes much more than lurking) in some halloween costumes. i think that for those of us who want to do something about it, it is incumbent upon us to make the case far more rigorously and persuasively than it's being made here. a blanket ban (so to speak) on ethnically-tinged costumes isn't likely to be very helpful in actually combatting racism.Glad to see you posted a real quote instead of your made-up quote this time, Anonymous. Congratulations on learning how to quote someone correctly.

Unfortunately, you still seem to have a reading problem. "It's not cool" isn't even close to "It's racist." So Brooke still hasn't said that every ethnic costume racist. And no amount of false and malicious (mis)quoting can put those words in her mouth.

In other words, yes, you're arguing against a straw man that doesn't exist in Brooke's posting. Maybe she believes that every ethnic costume is racist and maybe she doesn't. But until she actually writes that such costumes are more than uncool, quite wasting our time with phony arguments.

Brooke's thesis, again

And once again, you've tried to distract us. You've invented your own argument so you could duck what's obviously Brooke's thesis. Here it is again:Why is it socially acceptable to dress like the stereotypical Indian: "Brave", "Chief", "Princess", "Squaw", "Maiden"?Note again the key word "stereotypical." Not all costumes, Anonymous--stereotypical costumes. As DMarks said and I reiterated, no one would object if Liv Tyler dressed like Wilma Mankiller or John Herrington. Because those Indians don't dress like stereotypes.

So again, why do you keep inventing arguments rather than addressing Brooke's arguments? What are you so afraid of? Who knows, but until you address her thesis, I'll continue to point out your obfuscation.

Your argument for Liv Tyler seems to be that maybe some Cherokee woman somewhere dressed like that, so who am I to judge? As arguments go, that's pathetic. You clearly don't know jack about Cherokees, so all you can do is insinuate that my ignorance is almost as bad as yours.

FYI, I've read about, seen, and met many Cherokees. Thousands of them, probably. None of them dressed like Tyler.

I gave you one of many examples of how the Cherokee dressed. Here are some more:

Major Ridge
John Ross
Will Rogers
Wilma Mankiller
Chief Chad Smith
Sam Bradford

You were losing 1-0. Now you're losing 7-0. So now it's your turn. If you're not as ignorant as you seem, show us a picture of an actual Cherokee dressed like a Pocahontas princess. Good luck with your answer...you'll need it.

In other words, stop sharing your fantasies about what Cherokees were like and start providing concrete evidence. I did it, so you can do it too. Put up or shut up, bright boy.

Answering the question

I've debated Indian wannabes like Tyler hundreds of times on my website. I'm not going to repeat every argument here. I've answered every question I wanted to and every question put to me. It's not my job to explain everything you don't understand about Native stereotypes.

There was no fallacy in Brooke's original posting. The only fallacy is yours. You wrongly think people don't learn about Indians from the stereotypes in our culture: on sports logos, in movies and TV shows, and in Halloween costumes.

Unfortunately for you, many psychological studies and experts say you're wrong--that you don't know what the hell you're talking about. But since you're sure Brooke's position is fallacious, I'm sure you can correct her. So tell us: Where do most Americans get their erroneous opinions about Indians from?

You seem certain that Halloween costumes aren't the source, so list whatever you think are the sources. Be explicit and document these sources with bibliographic citations (book titles and page numbers, URLs, etc.). Again, put up or shut up.

The only question I see you asking is "Who decides?" Who decides what...whether a Halloween costume is acceptable? Everyone who's capable of making a moral judgment, that's who.

I don't recall Brooke asking for some authority to decide which costumes are wrong. All she did was advise people to stop wearing stereotypical costumes. So again, you've invented a straw-man argument--something you seem to be good at.

I don't advocate banning offensive costumes and I doubt Brooke does either. So the answer is: You decide what costume you want to wear, and people like us will decide whether it's racist. Even better, we'll explain why. You can use the information to stop being racist or ignore it and continue.

Is that clear enough for you? If you don't like being called a racist, stop wearing racist costumes. It's just that simple.

Stereotyping one race = racist

Oh, and for those who don't know the definition of "racist," I'll help you. It's something that discriminates on the basis of race. If you wore stereotypical costumes of every racial and ethnic group, including your own, you'd still be wrong, but you wouldn't necessarily be racist. But when you single out Indians for the stereotypical treatment, that's the epitome of racism.

Let's return to your original fallacy: "halloween is about dressing up as mythical characters"...and dressing up as Indians is part of that. Wrong, dummy, because Indians aren't mythical characters. Pirates, princesses, and ghosts are mythical or semi-mythical, but Indians are real. Alas, you don't seem to understand this very basic point.

For more on the subject, see The Harm of Native Stereotyping:  Facts and Evidence and Tricking or Treating Indians. And have a happy Halloween!

P.S. It's funny to see you use sic on Brooke's comments when your comments are riddled with mistakes. I suggest you learn how to capitalize so you don't look like some schoolkid texting his responses.

Below:  A typical Halloween costume that defenders of racism defend.

Rob unqualified to discuss stereotypes?!

When I announced my upcoming presentation in Washington DC on Facebook, someone named Chad Poitra challenged my qualifications. Here's how the exchange went:They couldn't find an indian to address their agency? Do you feel like you are qualified 2 speak 4 us? Talking about white privledge is 1 thing, but I don't think it's right for a non-native 2 discuss native stereotypes.I don't know how hard they searched for a Native speaker. But I asked them myself if they really wanted a non-Native speaker. They said yes.

I think their thinking was that they're promoting diversity. If a white guy cares about Native stereotypes, everyone should care about them. They're not just a Native issue for Natives only.

But yes, I think I'm qualified. Except for maybe one or two Native authors, I've probably written more about Native stereotypes in the last decade than anyone. My website has almost 2,000 pages and my blog has almost 7,000 postings on stereotypes and related issues. That's a fair amount of expertise.

White = unqualified?Wow, that's makes me really sad that you think your qualified! If you truely believed in supporting natives and destroying stereotypes, you would not promote/endorse yourself or call yourself qualified, since you would know there are many others who have worked longer and harder than you on this cause!

I understand and appreciate the efforts you put forth, but question if it's for the cause or you taking advantage of natives in order for you to promote your talents.

For the record, you'll never be qualified, YOUR WHITE!!! You may understand and be knowledgable, but never qualified!!!Really...someone has written more than 9,000 items on Native stereotypes in the last decade? Who is this incredibly prolific person, Chad? Why don't you name him or her so I can introduce myself?

I believe the huge number of Native people who follow my website, blog, newsletter, etc. think I'm qualified. The Native publications and websites that ask me to work for them think I'm qualified. Their opinion is what matters, not yours.

If you think you can get my Native friends and colleagues to turn against me, go ahead and try. Until then, I'll go with the thousands of Natives who support me over the few who don't. Since they want me to do what I'm doing, I'll keep doing it, thanks.

Chad admits he's wrongYour right, I'm wrong...keep up the good work!

Cuz u asked; Charlene Teters, John Trudell, Devon A Mihesuah, Misko-Kìsikàwihkwè (Red Sky Woman), Wilma Mankiller, Dr Richard West, Kevin Gover, anybody from the Deloria family, Ward Churchill, John Echohawk, Clyde Belcourt, Richard Williams, Jody Rave, Sonny Skyhawk, Chris Eyre, Valerie Tilman, Tim Coultier, Joe Garcia, Tex Hall, Ernie Stevens, ANY tribal chairperson...I can go on if ya like?Really, Chad? All these people have each written more than 9,000 items on Native stereotypes in the last decade? Including tribal chairpersons who were elected in the last year or two? Who may not have graduated college or even high school? All 564 of them have written more about Native stereotypes than I have?

Sounds like a pretty stupid claim if you ask me. But you have proof of this? You're not just listing people whom you imagine might have written more than I have? In other words, you're not just fibbing to make a false point about my qualifications?

Yeah, right.

Who has written more, again?

I could list hundreds of Natives who have written occasionally about Native stereotypes. But writing about them occasionally isn't the same as writing about them constantly. I have the evidence for my prolific commentaries on the subject. And you don't have the evidence for anyone else.

Apparently you didn't understand what I said, Chad. I didn't say who might know more about the subject in theory. I said who had written more about the subject in reality. You can read, can't you?

In short, you lose, buddy. Thanks for playing, and better luck next time. Try not to waste more of my time with silly claims that you can't or won't substantiate. (Or spell correctly--e.g., "YOUR WHITE!!!")

Epilogue:  Chad "defriended" me after this debate on Facebook. I guess he couldn't stand having his Native butt kicked by a white guy. Meanwhile, no other Native person has objected to my presentation, and many are cheering me on. Apparently Chad doesn't understand Native opinion as well as I do.

For more on the subject, see Rob Knows Best About Redskin? and Rob the Presumptuous White Man?

Below:  One of the thousands of images I've collected and posted on Native stereotypes.

Meyer violated Quileute etiquette

Educator Debbie Reese noted this page on the Quileute Nation website. It seems to be a response to the Twilight hoopla.

Indian Country EtiquetteTraditionally, our people are hospitable and generous in nature. However, spiritual teachings, sacred ceremonies and burial grounds, are not openly shared with the public.

We are proud of our teachings, and our heritage. They have been passed to us by our ancestors, and represent thousands of years of our individual histories. Your patience and understanding of our traditions and cultures is appreciated.Comment:  In Reese's blog entry, someone posted a defense of Stephenie Meyer's methodology:Shayana said...

With regards to, "However, spiritual teachings, sacred ceremonies and burial grounds, are not openly shared with the public." This may be a response to the crowds, but Stephenie never has a sacred ceremony or burial ground scene in her books. The one episode of "teachings" has to do with the wolf pack and those who know of it, exclusively. Even other members of the tribe who aren't aware of the wolf history aren't there. Only those who know about the boys and their transformations are allowed. Stephenie never published a scene where Bella was watching a tribal ceremony. They were sacred, and she did not go there.Meyer presented a long passage of spiritual "teachings"--i.e., her phony version of the Quileute Nation's cultural history and beliefs. Her characters may not have shared these teachings with anyone outside the tribe, but she shared them with tens of millions of outsiders.

Sounds to me like the tribe is gently chastising Meyer (and her followers). Meyer did what Reese has warned us against many times: (mis)appropriating Native legends.

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  "I'm proud of my Indian heritage too! Awooooo!"

Indians fight back in Latin America

Indian political awakening stirs Latin America

By Frank BajakIn Ecuador, the Shuar are blocking highways to defend their hunting grounds. In Chile, the Mapuche are occupying ranches to pressure for land, schools and clinics. In Bolivia, a new constitution gives the country's 36 indigenous peoples the right to self-rule.

All over Latin America, and especially in the Andes, a political awakening is emboldening Indians who have lived mostly as second-class citizens since the Spanish conquest.

Much of it is the result of better education and communication, especially as the Internet allows native leaders in far-flung villages to share ideas and strategies across international boundaries.

But much is born of necessity: Latin American nations are embarking on an unprecedented resource hunt, moving in on land that Indians consider their own—and whose pristine character is key to their survival.

"The Indian movement has arisen because the government doesn't respect our territories, our resources, our Amazon," says Romulo Acachu, president of the Shuar people, flanked by warriors carrying wooden spears and with black warpaint smeared on their faces.Comment:  For more on the subject, see The Amazon Tiananmen and Native Stereotypes in Bolivia.

Below:  "In this photo taken Aug. 20, 2009, an Aymara woman and her daughter walk near the village of Jesus de Machaca, Bolivia. In February, Bolivia's voters approved a new constitution creating a 'plurinational state.' It grants the Andean country's 36 native peoples the right to self-determination, including collective title to their lands." (AP Photo/Dado Galdieri)

The Washington Deadskins

Someone e-mailed me a mock "memorial program" for the Washington Deadskins (née Redskins). Presumably the Deadskins died of a poor win-loss record caused by bad karma due to their Indian mascot. Here's an excerpt:Obituary

The Washington Deadskins, born the Boston Braves in 1932, passed away in October 2009, following a ten-year long illness inflicted upon it by team owner Daniel M. Snyder and pseudo-general manager Vinny Cerrato. After several false alarms and faint glimmers of playoff hope, the once proud franchise developed a fatal aversion to the end-zone, and
succumbed in a slow, painful death. The team leaves behind thousands of disgruntled fans, angry tailgaters, and despondent season ticket holders, as well as tons of unsold Deadskins merchandise, one puzzled quarterback, and an emasculated head coach.

Oh, how the once mighty have fallen!Comment:  I think this was created by a disgruntled Redskins fan, not a disgruntled mascot foe. But it serves both purposes.

For more on the subject, see Team Names and Mascots.

Below:  Another crying Indian.

Will Rogers's 130th birthday

Will Rogers Days events to kick off Wednesday

By Rhett MorganOklahoma's most famous native son will be remembered during Will Rogers Days on Wednesday through Sunday.

The events will celebrate the 130th anniversary of Rogers's birth on Nov. 4, 1879. Highlights include the placing of a wreath at the family tomb on Wednesday, the Will Rogers Days Parade on Saturday in Claremore and the Will Rogers Gala on Sunday in Tulsa.

A cowboy, humorist and author, Rogers died in a 1935 plane crash in Alaska.

A birthday party will be held Thursday at the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah. About 600 children from the Tulsa area will participate in Children's Day from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Museum Explores Rogers's Roots and Will Rogers's Life in Dioramas.

Navajo wins Young Activist Award

Navajo activist Chelsea Chee wins young activist awardTwo young leaders who have been tackling the problems of climate change and environmental justice in different but complementary ways have been awarded this year's Mario Savio Young Activist Award. Each will receive $6,000, half for their projects and half to use as they wish.

Chelsea Chee, a 25-year old Navajo woman, Youth Organizer for the Black Mesa Water Coalition in Arizona, has been working to engage Indigenous youth of the Southwest in implementing climate change solutions. Through Chelsea’s leadership young Indigenous peoples are actively reorienting their tribal governments, schools, and communities towards a "greener' future. This means opposing fossil fuel extraction, encouraging sustainable living, and promoting a green job opportunities. Her efforts have resulted in the creation of numerous Indigenous youth groups throughout the rural Southwest and the passage of the Navajo Nation Green Economy legislation.

Speaking on stereotypes in the capital

As you may recall, the Department of Agriculture has invited me to speak on Native stereotypes in Washington DC Nov. 5. I'm to be the keynote speaker for the launch of Native American Heritage Month at the USDA.

Coincidentally, the White House Tribal Nations Conference will take place on the same day. My talk was scheduled long before the tribal summit was. Hey, Mr. President...are you trying to steal my thunder?

If you're in town, come on by the USDA. Whom would you rather meet: me or Obama?

My talk is apparently generating a protest among black civil rights activists at the USDA. For some reason, they want to celebrate their own diversity but not Native diversity. Perhaps they're upset because they know I'm going to criticize their beloved Washington Redskins.

If you read about a riot between blacks and Indians Nov. 5, that'll probably be my fault. Oops!

Not only will the tribal summit happen while I'm in DC, but also the NCAI's embassy opening. I hope to attend both events. And of course I've never seen the National Museum of the American Indian. Stay tuned for lots of reports and pictures.

For more on the subject, see Intro to Stereotype Presentation and the Stereotype of the Month contest.

Circle for Clemency to plead for Peltier

Peltier supporters to seek clemency during White House meeting

By Gale Courey ToensingLeonard Peltier supporters will seek clemency for the imprisoned American Indian Movement activist during a historic meeting between President Barack Obama and hundreds of tribal leaders of federally recognized nations.

The Circle for Clemency for Leonard Peltier is organizing a peaceful and prayerful act of solidarity “to bring attention to Mr. Peltier’s continued unjust imprisonment as a Native American political prisoner,” according to Rob Fife, one of the organizers.

The event will take place in conjunction with the first-of-its-kind White House Tribal Nations Conference on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. at the Interior Department building in Washington, D.C.Comment:  If I were organizing a protest outside the White House, I'd focus on a few well-defined agenda items. Same with the tribal leaders at the summit, for that matter. Maybe sign the UN declaration (more meaningful than a US apology), fully fund Indian healthcare, and reform the criminal justice system.

Sorry, but freeing Leonard wouldn't make the list. The probability that Obama will spend his political capital on pardoning Peltier in the midst of right-wing attacks on his presidency is approximately zero. Obama is likely to do the opposite of what protesters demand to prove he's not a "radical."

For more on the subject, see Peltier:  Obama's Political Prisoner and Peltier Denied Parole Again.

Manhattan surfer "chief" sells costumes

I haven't seen too many reports on Indian costumes for Halloween this year, but here's one someone sent me:

Real America with Abe Sauer:  New York is Also RacistI did a little Halloween costume shopping at the New York Costumes superstore on 11th street and Broadway. And keeping with the recent theme of Halloween costumes for racists and bigots (and their dogs), I found the perfect costume: Chief Culturally Insensitive.

But look, it's all fine because he's just helping shoppers identify the section with the store's robust offering of Halloween costumes for people who want to dress as Sexy Indian Girl or Super Mohawk, or who want their children to learn more about American Indian culture.

As a non-New Yorker who often finds his place of residence on the business end of East Coast liberal scorn, it's almost satisfying to know that Manhattanites are also clueless. Almost.

—Abe SauerComment:  Let's see...a half-naked man with braids, warpaint, a bear-claw necklace, a pot belly, a knotted rope on his arm, and a "hang loose" surfer sign. This mannequin doesn't quite make sense. I wonder if he was something else before he became a stereotypical Indian.

For more on the subject, see The Big Chief.

John Cloud in NEW FRONTIER

A Year of Cool Comic Book Moments--Day 301

By Brian CroninThe series opens with a group of military men (the "Losers") working to pick up a government agent, Rick Flagg, from a mysterious island filled with dinosaurs.

One by one, the Losers are killed off, but Flagg is found. Flagg and the remaining Loser, John Cloud, are about to leave, but Cloud refuses to depart. He insists on killing the T-Rex who killed his friends.

That gives us this...Comment:  Here's the first page of the sequence. Go to the original posting to see the whole sequence.



I agree with the commenters who say NEW FRONTIER is a good but not great series. It has nice moments like this one, but the whole is less than the sum of its parts.

For more on the subject, see Comic Books Featuring Indians.

NCAI to open Embassy of Tribal Nations

Tribal Leaders From Across Indian Country to Gather in Washington to Open Embassy of Tribal Nations

Historic Opening in Conjunction with White House Tribal Nations SummitTribal representatives from all corners of Indian Country will be joined by international dignitaries, Members of Congress, Administration officials and tribal supporters to officially open the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Embassy of Tribal Nations in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The opening will include traditional Native American cultural presentations.

"For the first time since settlement, tribal nations will have a permanent home in Washington, D.C. where they can more effectively assert their sovereign status and facilitate a much stronger nation-to-nation relationship with the federal government," said NCAI President Jefferson Keel.

The historic opening coincides with the 1st Annual Obama Administration's Tribal Nations Conference set for Thursday, Nov. 5 at the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Administration invited one representative from every federally recognized tribe in the U.S. to attend the conference.Comment:  For more on the subject, see NCAI Moves to Embassy Row.

Obama snubs state-recognized tribes

Obama meeting exclusion insults state recognized tribes

By Gale Courey ToensingThe White House announcement that President Barack Obama and tribal leaders will meet in early November was greeted with elation at the National Congress of American Indians annual conference, but that happiness soon turned to disappointment for representatives of state-recognized tribes who learned they would be excluded from the historic event.

“The interests of the state tribes should be just as important as the interests of the federal tribes,” said the Rev. John Norwood, president of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation.

“I don’t begrudge our federal brothers and sisters one iota. I know they deal with different issues in some respects and I think having an audience to deal with those types of issues is appropriate. But to be snubbed and not to be told that there will be a meeting for us state recognized down the road is surprising,” Norwood said.Comment:  For more on the subject, see Obama to Hold Tribal Summit.

Shi-Shi-Etko hits film festivals

I've reported on the film Shi-Shi-Etko before. It's now complete and hitting the film-festival circuit. For details, see Shi-Shi-Etko Shot in Halq’eméylem in my Pictographs blog. For more on the film, see Shi-Shi-Etko Trailer and Sto:lo Film of Children's Book.

Below:  "Kate Kroll, director of Shi Shi Etko, screened her film at the Bay Street Film Festival in Thunder Bay." (Rick Garrick--Wawatay News)

AMERIND is "best place to work"

Native American Business Garners Number One Spot; Accolades Among Top Insurance Companies World-wide; A First for Indian CountryFor AMERIND Risk Management Corp., “family-friendly” is a natural extension of the company's basic business mission.

The Pueblo of Santa Ana, N.M.-based AMERIND was established by more than 165 Native American housing authorities in 1986 and has grown to protect the housing, families and employees of more than 450 Tribes. This year's top-ranked company among small insurers in the Business Insurance Best Places to Work in Insurance ranking is a multi-tribal federal corporation formed to protect those tribes, their treasuries and their enrolled members from unforeseen or catastrophic financial loss using self-insurance and other risk-sharing strategies.

“Following Native American culture and traditions, we pride ourselves on the fact that families come first here,” said Rod Crawley, AMERIND's chief operating officer.

Among other things, Paul cited the AMERIND “85-15 rule.” Employees are accountable for their work and spend 85% of their work time devoted to customer service and job performance, but are also expected to spend the other 15% of their time in non-business activities such as socializing with their co-workers. “If we are to operate like an extended family and develop family bonds, employees need time to interact with each other. “We want to encourage the art of personal communication other than texting and emailing” says Mr. Paul. “This philosophy has proven to be very fruitful as productivity, customer relationships and camaraderie among employees continues to improve and prosper,” cites Crawley.

“We really promote small gatherings, potlucks, committee work together, getting away from your desk 15 percent of the time to socialize, really get to know your neighbor,” said Stefanie Suazo, Director of Human Resources. “It’s a proven fact that satisfied employees produce better results and care more about the company and its vision and mission,” Suazo further stated.

Utilizing risk management principles, AMERIND protects life and property of participating tribes from fire, natural disasters and other unforeseen events. The company operates exclusively within Native American reservations domiciled in 32 states.

Paul noted that with each tribe having its own traditions, “cultural sensitivity” is more of a challenge for AMERIND than for many companies, but one we take very seriously. “We don't have to keep up with just four or five minorities; we potentially have to keep up with the customs and traditions of more than 500 independent, sovereign communities,” he said.Comment:  This story is notable to me because the company won for its Native values, not in spite of them.

From my experience, employees often socialize more than 15% of the time. I wouldn't be surprised if this socializing contributes to employee morale, productivity, and the bottom line. I'm glad to see a company take advantage of it rather than (try to) ban it.

Youth choir's Olympics invitation axed

Newfoundland choir feels snubbed by Olympic offer

Group of young singers expected to perform at opening ceremonies. Instead they'll be part of an aboriginal showcase

By Marsha Lederman and Justine HunterFor two years, the young members of the Se't A'newey Performance Choir in Conne River, Nfld., had envisioned themselves singing at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games in front of a promised television audience of some two billion people.

Instead, the children have been offered a spot at an Olympic-related aboriginal showcase, with an estimated audience of “tens of thousands”--an offer made Tuesday by British Columbia's Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, George Abbott.

And their choir director doesn't like the government's compromise solution one bit.

“This tiny community is extremely concerned over the long-term effect this will have on these impressionable youth,” Brenda Jeddore wrote in an e-mail Tuesday to the Opposition New Democratic Party. “We are not impressed with ‘band aid' solutions because we deserve to be granted the ‘promise' that was [publicly] uttered by Premier [Gordon] Campbell.”

The remote Newfoundland community was meeting Tuesday night to discuss Mr. Abbott's invitation.

That alleged promise is at the centre of a cross-country he said-she said controversy. Mrs. Jeddore and the band chief, Misel Joe, insist they heard Mr. Campbell invite the children's choir to perform at the 2010 Olympics, after he heard them sing at a gala in Corner Brook more than two years ago. They say the invitation was also witnessed by Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, and others.

Mr. Campbell remembers it differently. “I said to the choir: ‘You know, wouldn't it be great if you could sing at the Olympics?' Not the opening ceremonies; I never had any control over the opening ceremonies.”

But whatever the choir heard, it was enough to launch them into more than two years of preparations for the performance. Then last week the band chief found out that the choir, having had no official contact with VANOC, was not actually scheduled to participate in the Olympics.Comment:  Did the Newfoundlanders actually hear the words "opening ceremony"? The article doesn't say, but Campbell has a point. An invitation to sing at the Olympics isn't an invitation to sing during the opening ceremonies. It's an invitation to sing somewhere, sometime during the Olympics.

I mean, c'mon. Two years of preparation without getting the offer in writing? Without contacting the VANOC and verifying it? The Newfoundlanders have only themselves to blame for disappointing the kids.

For more on the subject, see Native Participation in 2010 Olympics.

Ray suspends money-grubbing

Leader of fatal Ariz. sweat lodge cancels seminarsMotivational speaker and author James Arthur Ray is canceling his remaining 2009 seminars in the wake of three deaths that occurred after a sweat-lodge ceremony he led in Arizona.

Ray announced on his Web site Thursday that he needs to dedicate all his “physical and emotional energies” to bringing closure to the sweat lodge matter.

“That means helping the authorities and the families get to the bottom of what happened,” he said.

The decision marks a sea change for Ray, a charismatic public speaker who recruits people for his expensive retreats through free seminars at hotels and conference centers across North America.

Following the tragedy that led to the deaths and the hospitalization of 18 other people, he initially vowed to continue holding the events and appeared at seminars in Los Angeles, San Diego and Colorado.

In a posting on his blog on Oct. 20, Ray said he had “chosen to continue with my work. It's too important not to.”

Since then, lawyers for several of the victims have said they plan to pursue lawsuits, although none have been filed. His publisher announced this week that the December release of a paperback version of Ray's best-selling book “Harmonic Wealth” and a new hardcover title, “The Seven Laws of True Wealth,” have been postponed.Comment:  It took Ray three weeks to realize that continuing his seminars was bad? Hmm. Well, better late than never.

The money-grubbing made him look as if he was indifferent to the victims' suffering, as if cared only about his income. It wasn't a smart move when people were suing him for his indifference, neglect, and lack of foresight. Attendees could ask him about the tragedy and he could incriminate himself further.

That's why I thought he would go into seclusion when the tragedy happened. Glad to see he caught on only a few weeks late.

For more on the subject, see How James Ray Fleeced His Flock and Oprah Promoted Sweat Lodge Killer.

"Next top models" in blackface

The America's Next Top Model controversy is worse than I thought. Not only did a model dress as an Indian chief, but they darkened her skin to make her look more "Indian."

Blackface on 'America's Next Top Model'

By Laura KenneyContinuing the resurgence of a makeup practice long considered taboo, "America's Next Top Model" featured a number of models painted with dark makeup to resemble bi-racial women.

On the episode, which aired tonight (Oct. 28), host Tyra Banks said the goal was to create an editorial celebration of the "Hapa" (that's Hawaiian for mixed-race) children of immigrants who relocated to Hawaii to work as sugar cane farmers in the mid-19th century. Barack Obama is the most famous Hapa.

Banks tasked models with interpreting exotic racial combinations like "Russian-Moroccan," "Native American-East Indian," and "Botswanan-Polynesian," photographing them herself in the green reeds of a sugar plantation on the island of Maui.

The models--Jennifer An, Nicole Fox, Laura Kirkpatrick, Sundai Love, Brittany Markert and Erin Wagner--were styled in clothing stereotypical to the ethnicities they were asked to portray. For example, Markert, who was "Native American-East Indian," was dressed in a feathered headdress and a sari. And Love, as a "Russian-Moroccan" was styled with Russian Ushanka hat and a large walking stick.

Then, the models were sent to makeup, where each was painted with varying degrees of dark body makeup to match the perceived skin tone of the corresponding race they were conveying.Comment:  For more on the subject, see "Colorface" Yesterday and Today.

Below:  "Nicole Fox strikes a pose on America's Next Top Model." (Photo courtesy of The CW)

Neville Brother is Chahta ambassador

Cyril Neville named ambassador of Chahta Indian tribe

By Paula DevlinCyril Neville, the youngest of the four Neville Brothers, said, "I am on a quest to complete the circle that has been broken."

All his life, his mother, father and uncle taught him that he was a Choctaw Indian, which he said is correctly pronounced "Chahta." But he only recently found the historical records that document his ancestry.

Neville was in Slidell last week at a Chahta village area known as Bonfouca to plan for the upcoming Coming Out of Exile reunion of the Tchefuncte nation. At the event, he will be introduced as the tribes' new ambassador.

"I feel humbled and empowered at the same time," Neville said.

Neville's new role as ambassador will be to speak for the tribes that are centered in St. Tammany and include descendants of the 125 Chahta, Creek and Cherokee who did not leave during the forced relocation under Andrew Jackson, called the Trail of Tears. Members are spread throughout the Florida Parishes, and since Hurricane Katrina, are scattered in 29 states.Below:  "Cyril Neville has been named ambassador for the Chahta Indians. Chief Warhorse Elwin Gillum said of the choice of Neville: 'I knew it had to be a strong-willed person.'"