The term derives from the extremely horrific and racist act of selling Native scalps, ‘skins’, to the United States government. Here is an actual advertisement from The Daily Republican newspaper in Sept. 24, 1863:
Look, non-Indigenous can run around claiming it is non-offensive and it is somewhat common to find Natives who aren’t particularly perturbed by this, mostly because in the hierarchy of needs, the NFL falls way under land rights, clean drinking water, food deserts, etc. I have family members who used to proudly wear ‘Red***n’ apparel, because they were excited it ‘had a Native’ on it. Any representation is better than none, to some people.
With that said, finding one Native who approves of something, who you can then trot out as a spokesperson, is a racist act in its own right. You are essentially telling us that our identity is singular and represented by your designated colonizer.
I don’t care if the term was supposedly created by a Native Person or deemed okay by an Indigenous person. That is like saying that Stella Kübler was the expert spokesperson for all things Jewish or that Ben Carson speaks for the entire Black American community. The term is extremely offensive. There should not even be an argument about this. Instead it should be an education. Indigenous people are not mascots or pets that people can selectively choose to highlight when it is beneficial or supports whatever myth they are trying to sell.
I attend a Tribal College in Montana and parts of the film were rumored to be shot within the region. When the movie was released a large group of us (students) went to go see it at the local theatre (which only has two screens; so to even be screened at the theatre, there has to be some sort of demand). I can’t speak for anyone else, but I really liked the cinematography. I thought the story itself droned on at points and I always get a bit uncomfortable watching violence (whether it bear or man or bear and man).
…but I feel like your question is really asking about representation and I will bite.
I appreciated the fact they actually hired Native actors and conducted an actual casting (thanks Michelle Shining Elk), rather than relying on the standard Native standby actors that seem to populate any mainstream Hollywood film that deals with Natives. I did have an initial kneejerk reaction where I feared the Natives in the film weren’t going to be fleshed out and instead just treated like scenery or props. I also find myself conflicted about the larger issue of media representation for us being incredibly limited and when we are depicted it’s often in a historical context. This creates an incredibly distorted view of our culture. We either become historical relics, savages, or else ‘not real natives’ because we don’t act like the Natives in cinema and run around in buckskin, shooting arrows, and live in tipis. Instead, we might go to Universities, wear jeans, write code, read quora, etc. and are fully individualized people just like anyone else. But because Natives are rarely shown doing these ‘modern’ things, we aren’t always thought of as capable - if we are even thought of at all.
Overall I didn’t watch this film because I thought it was going to be about my culture or important to my community. I watched it because I like Alejandro González Iñárritu.
I think I developed more of an interest in the film when Leonardo DiCaprio used his Academy Award acceptance speech to namecheck our respective communities. That speech clip was passed around by my friends on snapchat, facebook, instagram, and even discussed in class. Other than that, the few times the film has come up with friends it’s we mostly talked about the bear scene, or how so-and-so’s Uncle was an extra, Tom Hardy, or arguments about filming locations.
Such an important topic and their food is delish! I’ve been blessed to eat with them a couple times and am anxiously awaiting the new restaurant that is coming.
Really? I want to try it so bad too!
ok but they mentioned colorado does that mean I can travel in my car to a place where someone cooks indigenous food because i am so down
2019-2020 Fellowships at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art welcomes applications from scholars of art history, archaeology, conservation and related sciences, education, as well as from scholars in other disciplines whose projects are interdisciplinary in nature and relate to objects in The Met’s collection. The tremendous diversity of fellows’ projects reflects the historic and geographic diversity of the Museum’s collection. The community of fellows becomes immersed in the intellectual life of the Museum and takes part in a robust program of colloquia, roundtable seminars, research-sharing workshops, behind-the-scenes tours of exhibitions, conversations with Museum staff, and visits to the curatorial and conservation departments. Fellows form long-lasting professional relationships as they discuss research questions, look closely at objects, and share the experience of living in New York City.
Fresh Tracks Southwest/Intermountain Leadership Training in New Mexico!
Fresh Tracks brings young leaders from urban, rural, and tribal communities together during a three-day expedition, using the outdoors as a background for transformative leadership development. Youth will learn valuable organizing skills, create community action plans, and work with the Center for Native American Youth, along with partners from Children & Nature Network’s Natural Leaders and Opportunity Youth United, to make a lasting impact in their home communities. The training will be held in Abiquiú, New Mexico from September 14 -16 (including travel dates). Travel, lodging, and meals will be covered for selected participants. https://freshtracksaction.org/apply/
7th Annual Native American Studies Graduate Student Symposium - Honoring Seven Generations: History, Praxis and Futurities
WeRNative is a comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth, that promotes holistic health and positive growth in local communities, and the nation at large. September is Suicide Prevention Month and WeRNative is inviting American Indian and Alaska Native youth ages 15- 24 to help spread awareness and messages of hope. Those who participate have a chance to win $75. Submissions are due September 20, 2018.
Eligibility: Participants must be American Indian or Alaska Native and between the ages of 15 and 24 years old.
To Enter the Contest: Download and print the #WeNeedYouHere sign. Add your own hopeful message to the sign and take a photo. Submit the form to share your message with WeRNative and enter the contest. Questions? Email [email protected]
2018 QuestBridge Scholarships
The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges. Students who have achieved academic success in the face of economic adversity are encouraged to apply. Scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and room and board, are loan-free, and require no parental contribution. https://apply.questbridge.org/apply
AmeriCorps VISTA Native Food Sovereignty Fellows
work in Native American communities to contribute to and assist in efforts focused on food sovereignty, food systems, nutritional education, and the development of tribal economies that build opportunities in food and agriculture. The fellowship is the result of a unique partnership between VISTA, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and IFAI. VISTA positions are paid positions that provide a living allowance, educational benefits upon successful completion of the assignment, a child care benefit (if applicable) and other supporting benefits. Native Food Sovereignty Fellows work closely with the IFAI and receive ongoing training and assistance to augment their local work. The application period is now open. Space is limited, and they are looking to fill positions as quickly as possible. https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista/life-vista-member
Semester in Washington’s Scholarship for Native Students
The Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP) is a full scholarship for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students who want to take part in Semester in Washington Politics. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students, including those who have completed their undergraduate degree but have not yet enrolled in a graduate program. https://semesterinwashington.gwu.edu/application-form
1940. The US-Canada border was carved right through several pre-existing Native properties, dissecting the tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Indian Defense League staged this protest in 1940, objecting to the US federal classification of First Nations people as foreign aliens.
I’ve done this artwork by request a month ago made by @phersephonsworld to draw something on the theme of native americans. I think it’s a perfect time to post it since we’re celebrating the LGBT Pride Month now! ️
Two-Spirit (also two spirit or, occasionally, two spirited) is a modern, pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who fulfill a traditional third-gender (or other gender-variant) ceremonial role in their cultures. (c)
“Two-spirit” refers to a person who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit, and is used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender and/or spiritual identity. As an umbrella term it may encompass same-sex attraction and a wide variety of gender variance, including people who might be described in Western culture as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, cross-dressers or who have multiple gender identities. Two-spirit can also include relationships that could be considered poly. (c)
1656 Timucuas Revolt in Florida 1734 Baja California Native insurrection 1775 Kumeyaay Revolt in San Diego 1781 Yuma Revolt along Colorado River 1785 Medicine Woman Toypurina leads revolt at Mission San Gabriel 1801 Chumash Revolt
Tom Lombardo eats a foot long hotdog out side Progressive Field prior to the start of the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
