Filming The Only Good Indian

‘Indian’ summer

Locally produced film explores hidden history of HaskellToday, the filmmakers are shooting a scene in which the Haskell superintendent (Geer) is addressing the Indian children who have just been pulled off the reservation. The story focuses on one such Kickapoo youth (played by newcomer Winter Fox Frank), who is taken from his family and forcibly sent to Haskell under government orders to integrate into white society.

After being assigned a new name and religion, Frank’s character escapes and attempts to return home, only to be pursued by an American Indian bounty hunter (Wes Studi).

“What we know of the Indian boarding schools all across the country is that they were almost like concentration camps,” says Steve Cadue, the Kickapoo tribal chairman who is on the set at the invitation of the filmmakers.The writer/producer's view:Tom Carmody is the man who first began framing these questions in screenplay form.

The writer and producer of “The Only Good Indian” says he’s always been fascinated by American Indian culture.

“Growing up in Lawrence and attending Broken Arrow school and South Junior High, many of the kids in the classes were Native American, as were many of the kids on my football team at Lawrence High. It was just part of growing up,” Carmody says.

In addition to its emphasis on history, Carmody regarded the project as a new riff on a genre movie.

He says, “When you look at westerns per se, you rarely see the Native American point of view. I can’t even think of one.”Comment:  For Western movies with a Native point of view, see Broken Arrow, Cheyenne Autumn, Dances with Wolves, Geronimo: An American Legend, Crazy Horse, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Into the West, and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, among others. This partial list excludes all the movies set in the modern West (e.g., Thunderheart, Dreamkeeper) or the old East (e.g., The Light in the Forest, Pocahontas) with a Native POV.

This kind of movie may not be commonplace, but it's not unheard of either. Carmody is revealing more about himself than about Westerns when he says he can't think of one with a Native POV.

Helpful hint to creative types: Don't suggest you're the first to do something unless you really are the first.

Enemy territory as "Indian Country"

Indian Country

Beyond the Green Zone in IraqAs an American Indian I can state unequivocally that this telling catch phrase that projects the warzones of the "wars on terror" as "Indian Country" is as deeply offensive as it is counter-productive to the stated mission in Iraq. My immediate thoughts—the first time that I heard the reference to the war torn streets of Baghdad as "Indian Country"—was that after 515 years of conquest—in the minds of Imperial America—the First Nations of the "Americas" are still regarded as enemies, hostiles, obstacles to progress... as terrorists. "Indians" then, in the American mindscape are yet sub-humans with no intrinsic value and no redeeming qualities and no contribution and/or partnership in contemporary society save as cartoonish sports mascots and fodder for the myth making propaganda of manifest destiny and fantasies of the "master race" as portrayed in Hollywood western movies and literature.

Take heed that this collective psychosis, this self adulation and lack of self criticism that plagues America is well noted by those who oppose us in the bloody streets of Baghdad and in the "Indian Country" of Afghanistan. One can accuse voices such as mine as emboldening the enemy by offering critical analysis of the situation in America's wars in the "Middle East" ("Middle East" being another colloquialism coined from the Western perspective of the planet). But—with these not so subtle attitudes couched within the phraseology of "Indian Country"—is it any wonder that they have resolved to fight us to the death—there in their home territory? Is it any wonder that America is seen as invaders, imperialists and controllers rather than liberators? Indian country they call it? Isn't it more likely that the attitude that lies behind colloquialisms like this are what emboldens our enemies and gives them the resolve to oppose the American agenda as they perceive it?Comment:  This article makes a nice addition to my posting on Enemy Territory as "Indian Country."

Gonzales = indifferent to Indians

Undermining trust:  Gonzales' legacy in Indian countryIn a scant two and a half years as the attorney general of the United States, Alberto Gonzales presided over far-reaching attempts to undermine U.S. trust responsibility to Indian nations.

He advocated for a cheap settlement of the Cobell case, which even more outrageously was contingent upon ending U.S. trust responsibility to tribal nations. His Justice Department leaked a litany of nitpicking objections to Congress in an effort to derail health legislation for American Indians. And he undoubtedly participated in the politically motivated firing of eight respected U.S. attorneys, including five who were leaders in prosecuting violence on Indian lands.

Yet Gonzales wasn't a flag-waving anti-Indian of the Slade Gorton, former U.S. senator from Washington, ilk.

No. Former attorneys for the Justice Department, including Kevin Washburn, the visiting Oneida Indian Nation professor at Harvard Law School, say that Indians were simply not on Gonzales' radar.

National park evicted Navajos

An unhappy occasion

Chaco Canyon park marks centennial, families recall dark historyThis year marks a century that Chaco Culture National Historic Park has been in existence, preserving thousand-year-old ruins and interpreting them for visitors from all over the world.

And, some would argue, oppressing local Navajos.

About 150 Navajos gathered Saturday just outside the park boundary to share stories of their experiences with the park. They told of forcible evictions from their homes, not being allowed to collect medicinal herbs in the park, and being denied such amenities as paved roads in the name of historical preservation.Comment:  For more on this story, read American Indians and National Parks.

Tractor pedal pull contests

Lakota boys pull their way to successFrom New Mexico to New York, pedal pullers have found a way to compete even if they can't be a part of the 4-H competition that has dominated county fairs for years. For four Lakota boys, the competition has not only been a way to shine at competitions across Kansas, but it's become a family affair that keeps them on the road during the pulling season cheering for each other.

Kids' tractor pedal pull contests aren't about speed. They are about giving kids a chance to show their strength and determination in moving a pedal tractor with a "drag" that is weighted according to age down a short track. The tractors move at a snail's pace, but no one would believe it once the spectators begin cheering. Sportsmanship is alive and well at each event for both the kids and parents; everyone cheers for the pullers, even those against whom they are competing.

Fastest comics in the West

I just reread the first two issues of the new LONE RANGER series. Just for fun, I timed how long it took. Answer: six minutes for both comics. Combined.

In contrast, a typically erudite Alan Moore comic might take 20 minutes to read. So LONE RANGER is only 15% as dense as a Moore comic, though they both cost the same. I don't want to say LONE RANGER is shallow, but if you have any illiterate friends, they might appreciate it.

Rob vs. mascot apologist

In which I grind a University of Illinois student's arguments for Chief Illiniwek into dust:

"[P]erhaps if you'd been spending your time tackling actual problems, the Native Americans you claim to care so much about might be doing a little better."

Long but interesting (to me, at least).

Q&A with Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Here are my questions for Whale Song author Cheryl Kaye Tardif and her answers:

1) Whale Song features a "bad" Native girl and a "good" Native girl. Did you set up this duality intentionally, and what does it tell us about Native cultures?

Since the setting of Bamfield on Vancouver Island and in fact the native influences are so vital to the story, I had no choice but to have native characters. After creating Goldie, the “good” native girl, and having her befriend Sarah, the white American girl, I wanted to show the differences in cultures and beliefs and that the two can be united, that they can learn something from one another.

With Annie, the “bad” native girl, I wanted to show that there is often racial tension because of past negative experiences and that if we dig deep enough sometimes we may understand why a bully does what he or she does. This certainly does not condone their actions, but at least it allows for a starting point in recognizing and dealing with this type of situation.

I believe that Goldie and Annie are typical native children for the most part. And like ANY race, there are “good” kids and “bad.” Some kids openly accept “foreigners,” while others don’t. And why is that exactly? Where have children learned to hate or fear people of other nationalities? Racism is all around us, on TV, in music, in life. I think that Whale Song is a novel of tolerance, patience and understanding, and one that shows that hatred knows no bounds, no color, no race. It tells us that an open, accepting heart can be greatly rewarded by the experiences of learning about different cultures. There is beauty and importance in every race.

2) When non-Natives tell Native legends, Natives sometimes object. They'll say the non-Natives have taken the stories out of context, stripped them of their religious meaning, or appropriated them without permission. How do you address such charges?

Well, first I have to say that I have had many native readers and not one has objected to how the story was handled, or the legends retold within. While researching for Whale Song, I went to native sites so that my brief renditions would be as accurate as possible. Many indigenous languages and stories are becoming extinct. If someone does not tell them, they will eventually cease to exist, and since I am retelling them in respect, I believe I am helping to keep the legends alive.

It has always been said that imitation is the best sort of flattery, and by reproducing some of the First Nations legends that inspired me, I look at it as a tribute to wonderful stories that are even pertinent today. By paralleling these popular legends with Sarah’s life journey, it also shows the relevance of stories, legends, myths and cultural beliefs in today’s society, and that there is definite value in sharing them. After all, that is what a story is meant to be―shared.

3) The wise Native elder who enlightens the uncertain youth with stories and aphorisms is a common device in children's books. It's so common that it often becomes a cliché or stereotype. How does Whale Song handle this potential problem?

Nana is a fascinating character, and I receive so many emails from readers who tell me they “love” her. Anyone would want a grandmother like Nana, regardless of race. She is wise, caring and tells the most fascinating stories. I never saw her as a problem or cliché, and I believe neither do most of my readers. She is there because she ‘fits,’ but she only appears at certain times. She is wise because of her age and enjoys sharing her culture. Her role is to unite Sarah with the land around her, the animals and the people.

Nana was one character I saw so clearly from the very beginning, right down to the white streak in her black hair. She brings a multi-generational aspect to the story. And while Whale Song has a definite appeal to the young adult market, it is a work of fiction that appeals, particularly, to women of all ages. My youngest reader that I know of is a 7-year-old girl; the oldest is a 96-year-old woman.

Bullying, racism, and Whale Song

More questions and answers from Whale Song author Cheryl Kaye Tardif:4) Since Whale Song was set in the late ‘70s in the beginning of the story, how do the racial and bullying issues in the novel apply to today’s world?

The bullying in the bathroom and chocolate bar scenes in Whale Song are based on true events. These things happened to me in the late ‘70s and resulted from racial discrimination. Have things really changed that much? There is still racism in our schools (Canadian and American), maybe even more so now because of the influx of foreigners and refugees. We have become a multicultural continent, with very little understanding, tolerance or acceptance of people with different religious or cultural beliefs. Whale Song has made older readers remember what it was like to be young, even the negative experiences. And young readers identify with Sarah and the bullying and racism situations. Racial hate crimes have not gone away.

5) Has the “zero tolerance policy” in some schools helped eliminate bullying?

Although many schools say they have a “zero tolerance policy” in place for bullying, even that is not completely true. I know this for a fact. My own daughter was bullied horribly in a Canadian school with a “zero tolerance policy.” Principals often don’t handle the situation but instead treat the bullied child as if they had done something wrong to deserve it. Teachers have very little recourse or authority anymore, and parents don’t always take responsibility for their child or their child’s actions. Is it any wonder that many of our children are going to school afraid, depressed and suicidal? And what happens when the bullies are thrown out of school and into society? Surely, there is a better way for all concerned.

6) How has bullying evolved?

Bullying and racial discrimination have now evolved to the computer age. Cyber-bullying has become the new way to harass victims. Hurtful photographs, instant messaging slurs, chat room bullying and social networking site messages are used to attack our children. This is the future generation, our hope for a better world. Many children have not learned that they are responsible for every word they say and every action, and that those words and actions have incredible healing or destructive power.

7) What can we do to prevent racial discrimination and bullying?

The United States considers youth violence a public health epidemic, according to the CDC―Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “30% of 6th to 10th graders in the United States were involved in bullying as a bully, a target of bullying, or both” (Nansel et al. 2001). These are sad statistics. Some statistics report even higher percentages for younger grades.

But there is hope. I think we need more messages of racial acceptance. Books, music, films and TV could be used to bring people together, rather than tear them apart. Adults and children need to change their views and learn to understand, take an interest. We fear that which we do not know. So KNOW! Learn about your neighbor’s culture and traditions. It takes nothing away from you and you may find rich rewards along the way.

There is a school program called Challenge Day that helps to eliminate the invisible boundaries that separate people. This program has been put into place in many schools and it has shown immense success. It has inspired youth to look at each other with fresh eyes and honest, open hearts. I believe that this should be mandatory in ALL schools in Canada and the US. It is a start. We can be part of the solution, or part of the problem. By writing Whale Song, I hope that I am a small part of the solution.

©Cheryl Kaye Tardif

During my virtual book tour I am giving away some books at specific stops. This is one of them!

• First, you must answer this skill-testing question: What “gift” does Nana have?
• Email the answer to cherylktardif@shaw.ca.
• I will draw from all entries on September 1st. One winner will receive a copy of Whale Song. Good luck.

Thank you and I hope you will visit my website and sign my guestbook:

http://www.whalesongbook.com

Order Whale Song from Amazon

Violence and PEACE PARTY

Naturally, the violence in our culture is one of my biggest concerns. It's one of the main reasons I created a comic book called PEACE PARTY that stars two nonviolent Hopi Indians.

Here are some of the pages I've devoted to violence, particularly youth-oriented violence:

America's cultural mindset
The evidence against media violence
Why white boys keep shooting
Teenage violence...solved! (more or less)
Winning through nonviolence

Why exactly is violence a core subject for an enterprise devoted to Indian comics? It stems from the fact that the Western/European/American mindset is selfish, greedy, acquisitive, aggressive, warlike, and domineering. This cultural worldview has a myriad of consequences:

• Nations range far from their borders to conquer other lands.
• The Church declares itself sovereign over every body and soul.
Mountains, rivers, and forests are plundered for their wealth.
• America glorifies a Wild West mentality: the individual as solitary gunslinger and society as a hostile frontier.
• The popular media--including comics--promote a Darwinian goal of being a victor or a victim.
• Frustrated youths (almost always young men) who can't get their piece of the American pie get even by committing murder--or suicide.

So a greedy, violent attitude as ancient as the Bible is the problem. And the values embodied in indigenous cultures--community, respect for nature, looking ahead seven generations--are a potential solution. In other words, we need more stories like Whale Song and PEACE PARTY. ;-)

Right approach to Native theater

Native tongue

'Family' cements relations between theater and stories about the American Indian experienceThough the Twin Cities is a hospitable hotbed for culturally specific performance companies--think Penumbra Theatre Company, Theater Mu and the like--plays by Indian writers have yet to really take root here or elsewhere in the country.

For FastHorse, a 36-year-old Lakota who grew up in South Dakota near the Rosebud Indian Reservation, a production at a Tony Award-winning regional theater is a stamp of legitimacy for her and for Indian playwrights across the country.

"I'm thrilled to have as many native people as possible come to my play and see themselves onstage. That's an opportunity I never had growing up," she said. "But equally as important, I want a wider audience to have that experience; to learn something about my culture but also to learn about their own."One problem with Native theater:Coming from hundreds of nations within the United States, Indian writers are perhaps a more diverse lot than other culturally specific writers, FastHorse said. And Indian playwrights, like any other writers trying to articulate the experience of a minority population, may feel stymied by a perceived responsibility of having to speak for an entire people.

"I'm not criticizing, but there's still a lot of 'issue theater' out there--written by people who are coming from an angry place or a victimized place," she said. "There needs to be an outlet to express that past, but I think that, as a group, we need to get to that third generation of work."Another problem:Progress is being made at the Children's Theatre and other local companies, but unfamiliarity is still a problem. "I've been told, 'You're a great writer, but I don't know what to do with native stuff,' " FastHorse said. "There has to be a changing in the collective minds of the theater owners and artistic directors and the play-development people."

Too, there's a wariness in the native community about tokenism. Rhiana Yazzie is a Navajo playwright born in Albuquerque and educated in Los Angeles. She has been living in the Twin Cities for the past year on a fellowship from the Jerome Foundation and has been actively working the small- and medium-sized theater circuit. She has been encouraged by the results--commissions to write plays for Mixed Blood Theatre and SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development.

"Some (Indian audiences) will see a native play and think, 'Oh, this is our 'Dances With Wolves' for this year," she said. "There needs to be some follow-up. Native theater is not nascent; we're not novices. But we need to start to plant that idea."The solution:FastHorse says she wants "Average Family" to be the kind of work that can hopscotch the first and second generations of culturally specific theater. She thinks creating strong and accessible plays about the Indian experience will prime the pump to start a flow of more visible Indian actors, directors and other theater artists.

"It has to start with the writing," she said. "There are a lot of wonderful native writers, and if we focus on the quality of the work, that work will be able to speak for itself."

Blowback changes vets' minds

UND NICKNAME:  Group rescinds supportMembers of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Veterans' Group board voted 3-2 Wednesday night to rescind their two-day-old support for UND's Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

The board voted unanimously to support the nickname during a meeting Monday, but board members later were inundated with calls from Standing Rock veterans and other tribe members expressing opposition to the nickname, said Ed Black Cloud, the board's acting chairman.

“There were a lot of things we didn't know about when we made that motion,” Black Cloud said, later adding, “we didn't know about the treatment of Indian students (at UND).”Comment:  This story could serve as the template for the "Indians support Indian mascots" meme. Yes, some Indians support Indian mascots because they think such mascots are benign or even positive. Then they learn all the arguments against such mascots: how many of their fellow Indians oppose them...how the schools in question don't support their Indian students...how the mascots create a hostile environment of whooping fans who attack anyone who challenges them. Because they've been educated, these Indians who support Indian mascots change their minds.

Pictured below:  University of Illinois students "honoring" Indians.

NewsWatch Native America

Former Observer editor partners to form NewsWatch Native America

Tanya Lee and former Washington Post reporter create on-line information delivery systemLee and Struck developed their own keyword vocabulary to pull up information of value and interest to Native American tribes and communities.

"Every morning..., we have anywhere from 20 to 50 press releases from governmental agencies, state governments, tribal governments and colleges, and Native American associations that are turned up by keyword search," Lee said. "We select and publish on our website those that are of interest and significance to Native America."

After that work is finished, Struck and Lee go through the Federal Register. They pull out everything of Native American interest--grant and funding opportunities, rules being proposed or finalized, and announcements of meetings of federal agencies related to Native Americans.Comment:  This news service appears to provide a good complement to PECHANGA.net, where I work.

Alexie's young-adult novel

Book Review:  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman AlexieSherman Alexie’s first novel for young adults is the heart-wrenching/heart-warming story of Arnold, a 14-year-old budding writer/cartoonist living on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Life isn’t so great for Arnold or Junior Spirit. His dad drinks way too much as do many of the people on the rez. His mother is a recovering alcoholic.

Arnold’s engaging and entertaining diary tackles rough subjects like death, alcoholism, poverty, jealousy and racism with a deft hand. You can't but help fall in love with Arnold. The wonderful cartoons and drawings by Ellen Forney appear to be pasted onto the pages of his diary, giving it depth and life. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a must have book, and I can't speak highly enough of it.

Chumash filmmaker keeps knocking

George Angelo, Jr., The AuteurCompleted in 1978, Angelo’s first film was Indian alright—but not the kind you might assume. His short, Bambu Island, was shot in the West Indies about Rastafarian woodcarvers, complete with reggae soundtrack. But the opportunities were sparse, so during the 80s he tended bar, took acting classes and became a cameraman at a southern California television station. Along the way he’s snared a few acting roles in shows like Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, ER, and more recently, The Shield and the Eddie Murphy film, Norbit. Angelo’s prowess behind the camera didn’t go unnoticed, however, as he earned a coveted Rockefeller Fellowship to study film and video.

Through it all, he’s continued to do what he started lo those many years ago. Make films. With more than a dozen to his credit, he has produced award winning documentaries including the three-part series, Whispers, about southern California Native tribes and other projects profiling age discrimination in Hollywood, a Death Valley marathon, and the legendary country music venue, the Palomino Club.

His newest production is a departure from his documentarian roots. Early next year Angelo will start filming Fallen Angels, a dramatic feature about a reincarnated Chumash spiritual leader and a Vietnam Vet rock musician starring himself, Nick Ramos and several of Indian Country’s top actors. It’s a go as he anxiously waits for the final funding to roll in.

Potawatomis get off-rez vote

Potawatomis Vote To Establish Nationwide LegislatureApproval creates a 16-member CPN legislature. Half the members will be elected at-large from Oklahoma to represent their fellow Citizen Potawatomis in the state. The other eight members will each represent a legislative district outside Oklahoma. Tribal members in each district will elect the representative from their district.

CPN officials believe this is the first Indian tribe in the United States to extend such participation in tribal government to members who live outside the tribal jurisdiction, to say nothing of those who live anywhere in the United States.

The change in the Citizen Potawatomi Nation's basic form of government is designed to accomplish two goals--extend more input into their government's decisions to tribal members who live outside Oklahoma and take a major step toward a three-branch government with checks and balances.

Lakota radio = "beacon of hope"

Radio Station Provides Vital Link for People on Indian ReservationThere are many ethnic radio stations and broadcast programs in the United States, but there is only one fully independent community radio station serving the residents of a Native American Indian reservation. That is KILI radio on the Pine Ridge reservation in southwestern South Dakota. It operates from the top of a butte near the village of Porcupine and broadcasts in both English and the native Lakota language.

KILI roughly translates to "cool" or "awesome" in English. The station provides news about activities and events on the reservation, as well as music--ranging from country to hip hop, with lots of native traditional singing as well.

Local college professors and students come in every week to discuss Lakota myths and stories. The station also does live broadcasts of tribal council meetings.

Another Little Tree argument

Ahearn:  An education from 'Little Tree'"Having been a fan of his (as a writer) for many years, and having heard this same old drivel about his private life (which was reprehensible in many ways), it amazes me that people focusing on this are missing the POINT!" Asheboro reader Lane Batot wrote.

"The POINT is that 'Little Tree' is a beautifully written book chock full of positive values, and although it may not have been a 'true' story, it was full of truths, and obviously the author had some experience with the times and an understanding of that, and expressed it beautifully."

Not everyone agrees. Some Native Americans, particularly Cherokees, raise problems with the book itself, pointing out inaccurate portrayals of Cherokee language and culture, and a survival-of-the-fittest mind-set that borders uncomfortably on fascism.

Whale Song is coming

I'm trying something new:  an exclusive interview with a writer of a Native-themed book. Here's the scoop:

Drop by Newspaper Rock on Thursday, August 30th, as I welcome Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of the bestselling novel Whale Song. Cheryl will be stopping by as part of her month-long "Touring the World" virtual book tour. Whale Song is a "compelling" and "haunting" novel that deals with societal issues like bullying and racism, and Cheryl will be discussing that here. Her novel also explores the highly controversial issue of assisted suicide or assisted dying, and many reviewers have said they won't soon forget it. On some of her stops, Cheryl is also announcing free book giveaways, so you'll want to see if this is one of them.

Titus apologizes for white people

Muhammad as terrorist

Remember last year's controversy over the Danish publication of cartoons mocking Muhammad? Well, I've finally posted a long debate on the subject. It's relevant to this site because Westerners stereotyped Muhammad the same way we've stereotyped the Indian: as a savage and a killer. Check it out:

The Muhammad cartoons

My take on Thirteen Moons

I finally "read" Charles Frazier's Thirteen Moons, last year's biggest Native-themed book. (This year's biggest Native-themed book is probably Sherman Alexie's Flight.) The critics mostly got it right, though they didn't always emphasize what I'd emphasize. I'd say the book is great and beautiful in some ways, frustrating and unsatisfying in others.

For more of my thoughts, see the full review at Thirteen Moons.

Vets support "Fighting Sioux"

Standing Rock veterans board backs UND Fighting Sioux nicknameThe governing board of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's Veterans Group voted unanimously Monday to throw its support behind UND's Fighting Sioux nickname.

Black Cloud said he believes this is the first time the board has passed a resolution concerning UND's nickname. The veterans board was created as an advisory board to Standing Rock's veterans service officer, he said, and has no authority over the actions of the tribal council, the reservation's governing body.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council passed a resolution strongly opposing the Fighting Sioux nickname in 2001 and has not reconsidered that resolution despite UND requests.Comment:  See my comments at the end of the article.

Another Indian Marriot inn

Hotel Owned By Native Americans Opens In Sac TodayA new Sacramento hotel is about to make its big opening today. It's a luxury hotel and it's the first hotel to be owned by several Native American tribes on an off reservation site.

The hotel, Residence Inn by Marriot at Capitol Park, is located on 15th and L, across from the State Capitol. The hotel is co-owned by three Native American tribes, is 15 stories, and the hotel boasts 235 suites. All rooms are suites, complete with fully equipped kitchens and flat screen LCD TVs. Rooms start at $129.

The lobby of the hotel reflects a lot of Native American culture, with tribal artifacts and carpeting done by the Hopi tribe artisan.

Religion over recreation

Appeals court backs climbing ban at sacred siteA ban on recreational climbing at Cave Rock, a sacred Washoe site, does not violate the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court ruled on Monday.

In a unanimous decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the U.S. Forest Service acted lawfully when it banned climbing at the site. The three-judge panel cited the historical and cultural importance of Cave Rock not just to the Washoe Tribe, but to the entire country.

"The fact that Cave Rock is a sacred site to the Washoe does not diminish its importance as a national cultural resource," Judge J. Clifford Wallace wrote for the majority.

Art article omits Eiteljorg

Native art is very AmericanI am happy to see contemporary art is gaining more attention in Indianapolis. All the organizations and individuals The Star mentioned ("Fresh and indefinable," Aug. 19) are making a significant impact on the city's reputation and providing our citizens with challenging and exciting contemporary art experiences.

I was disappointed, however, that the article did not mention the important contemporary work at the Eiteljorg Museum. Unfortunately, the art world doesn't consider Native American art to be American art. That does the work of traditional and contemporary Native artists a grave injustice. We are working to change that perception.

Non-Indian performs Ponca story

Monologue to tell tale of Standing Bear, tribesFour years ago, Christopher Cartmill was no more than a curious outsider interested in the tales of Nebraska's American Indian tribes. Now, he's being trusted with telling the story of its members and one of its most heralded chiefs.

That transformation is documented in "The Nebraska Dispatches," a monologue based on journal entries Cartmill wrote while researching a play he was set to write on Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.

Scene from Cowboy & Indians

Scene from the movie Cowboy & Indians: The JJ Harper Story--Adam Beach as JJ Harper with Eric Schweig & Mike Lawrenchuk.

Based on the true story of J.J. Harper, a First Nations leader, who was shot and killed by Winnipeg Police Constable Robert Cross on his way home one snowy night in in 1988. As the guilt-ridden Cross descends into madness, J.J. Harper's brother, Harry Wood, supported by native leaders; cries out for justice through legal channels. The police close ranks to ensure that Cross is never prosecuted for the crime.

Scene from Dreamkeeper

A Scene from ABC's Mini-Series "DreamKeeper"

Four Sheets to the Wind trailer

Best Buy commercial

Silence Is Golden--Buffalo

Starring Saginaw Grant and Eric Schweig. A good example of telling a humorous story about Indians without stereotyping them.

TV maligns Indian gaming again

Indian Comics Irregular #159:  CSI: Miami Butchers Indians

Blame the rich tribes

Rich Calif. tribes revise their compacts at poor tribes' expense

Apache tipis in COWBOYS & ALIENS

Judging by her notes, writer Alana Joli is doing a fine job of researching the Indians she's writing about in PRELUDE: A CALL FOR HEROES (i.e., COWBOYS & ALIENS vol. 2). She's also doing a fine job of providing the sources for her information. Everyone who writes about Indians should try to follow this model.

For the issue of situating her Apache characters in tipis, she refers primarily to two sources:

Tipis:  Early "Mobile Homes"When you hear the words, "Indian," or "Native American," you probably think of tipis. But, as a matter of fact, most Indians did not live in tipis. Tipis were used mainly by Plains Indians, such as the Lipan Apache, Comanche and Kiowa, after the Spanish introduced horses into North America about 500 years ago.Digital Collections Presented by University Libraries

A couple of problems here. The Lipan Apache aren't representative of the Apache as a whole, and I don't believe the comics have specified the story's setting as Texas. The photographs of the Jicarilla and Mescalero Apache tipis in New Mexico were all taken in the 20th century (1906, 1920, 1930). By that time, I suspect the Indians had become acculturated and lost many of their traditional practices. That means they may have adopted the tipis from outside their culture. They may have been showing off for nosy anthropologists or gullible tourists.

Despite Joli's source material, I would've preferred to see the Apaches in wickiups rather than tipis. The tipis aren't stereotypical enough to go into my Stereotype of the Month contest, since there's some justification for using them. But the justification isn't enough for me to give them a free pass.

That said, most of Joli's storytelling looks and feels authentic. Kudos to her for doing much more research than the average writer of Indian comics.

Note: In case anyone's wondering, I don't go out of my way to find minor errors. For instance, I don't know whether the Apaches' clothes or language or legends are authentic. But they feel authentic enough to me that I don't question them.

Not so the tipis. In most Native-themed comics (or cartoons, or TV shows, or movies), tipis are one of the biggest clichés. You should have a very good reason for being the umpteenth person to put your Indian characters in tipis.

If your reason is something like, "We did it because tipis are familiar indicators of Indianness to the average reader," my response is, "Pandering to your readers' ignorance is no excuse." In other words, there's little or no justification for using a stereotype because it's a stereotype. Use a stereotype only when it's an honest and accurate choice for the situation.

Tak on Nickelodeon

Tak and the Power of JujuTak and the Power of Juju is a video game for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and the Game Boy Advance. The game spawned two sequels: Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams and Tak: The Great Juju Challenge. All three were created by Avalanche Software for THQ.The story:A long time ago, a shaman predicted that one day, disaster would come to the people of the Pupanunu village, and the Moon Juju would be captured. He also predicted that a warrior would save the people. Jibolba, an older shaman, had prepared for the day of disaster, and took a man named Lok as his apprentice. Then one day, the disaster came, and all of the Pupanunu people were turned to sheep, with the exception of Lok, Jibobla, and a younger apprentice named Tak. Lok, however, did not last long in the village of sheep, and was one day trampled in an attempt to calm the animals down. Even though all hope seemed lost, Tak set out to find a way to revive Lok, so he could save the people from the evil Tlaloc.

So Tak embarked on the most dangerous journey of his life, performing every deed the prophecy told him to do, so he could bring life back into the soul of Lok. He eventually found a way: bring him back from the Spirit World. Tak did this perilous task and found the spirit of Lok. He brought the spirit to Jibolba, who magically restored him back to his own self. But Lok could not fight, as the effects of the spell causes extreme stomach pain. All hope seemed lost, until the Moon Juju appeared to Tak and Jibolba, saying that Tak was the true warrior of prophecy. Tak had completed everything the prophecy had predicted. All that was left was to save the Juju and restore peace to the people. Tak succeeded in this quest, and the Pupanunu village was human once again.Tak comes to Nickelodeon:Tak and the Power of Juju

8 p.m. on Nickelodeon

Jungle boy Tak jumps from his video game home to television in what the network bills as its first computer-generated animated series.

Tak, voiced by Hal Sparks, helps his fellow Pupununu villagers cope with life as the world's unluckiest tribe through his bond with the magical Jujus, whose powers can either help or create havoc.The official website:Tak and the Power of Juju

Vampire romance novels

Lust for lifeSomewhere inside the adult female reader lurks a 12-year-old girl breathless at the idea of romance and mystified by the rules of sexual engagement, the one who (in my case) stayed up three nights straight devouring "Gone With the Wind." Although Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series of vampire romance novels is aimed at young adults ages 12 and up, I'm certain there are a lot of older women reading them too.The Indian connection:It's churlish to complain about clunky plotting and a tendency to throw in any idea that occurred to the author when she can make a reader's heart race so effectively. "New Moon," which is the second in the series, is the least satisfying, but, as with the Harry Potter books, having favorites doesn't mean you can skip the lesser installments. There is humor--the most feared gang of vampire enforcers is based in Italy (there's a vampire Mafia!), prompting one vampire to say, ominously, "No one wants a visit from Italy." And what would a romance be without another boy, a dark one to offer counterpoint to the golden one? Bella discovers the truth about her boyfriend's monstrous nature from her childhood friend, Jacob, the son of a local Indian tribe whose legends cast its members as wolfish protectors against vampires. Jacob offers the possibility of normal human life for Bella, although as a part-time werewolf who bursts out of his clothing when he loses his temper, his claim to human normalcy is tenuous. Bella's struggle to choose between Edward and Jacob all comes to a head in "Eclipse."

Rancheria among endangered places

Historic places fading away

Sites on the 2007 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places include:Historic Route 66 motels, Illinois to California: Bypassed by interstates and faced with competition from chain hotels, the quirkier mom-and-pop motels, often featuring neon-drenched signs, are fading from “the Mother Road.”

Stewart’s Point Rancheria, Sonoma County, Calif.: A lack of funds has hampered efforts to preserve lands of the Kashia Pomo Indian tribe. Though officially protected by a federal tribal lands preservation program, the site has been looted of sacred and historic artifacts.

Minidoka Internment National Monument, Jerome County, Idaho: Thousands of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants were sent to this “relocation center” camp from 1942 to 1945. A lack of National Park Service funds and plans for a massive local feed operation nearby threaten the site, which has experienced vandalism and looting.

Reality show within a play

From a press release:AVERAGE FAMILY is a world premiere by Larissa FastHorse, with direction by Peter C. Brosius at The Children's Theatre Company (CTC), Main Stage, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, opening on September 7th at 7:30 p.m. and runs through October 6th. CTC is the nation's leading theater for young people and families and recipient of the 2003 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.

The Play: The Roubidouxs, an urban American Indian family living in Minneapolis; and the Monroes, a back-to-nature clan from Northern Minnesota, sign up to face-off in a reality TV show which promises a brand new vehicle as the prize. Their challenge is to survive for three months as an 1840's frontier family on the Minnesota prairie and they've been given roles to play. The Roubidouxs' assignment is to portray the "Indians." Both families embark on an adventure fraught with laughable predicaments and harrowing incidents--all of which is caught on the confession cam! In the end, when one family reconnects with their Dakota culture, it leads to startling revelations for all, inspiring the true spirit of generosity.

Mohawks and the WTC

It takes pride to walk on iron

Smithsonian exhibit has American Indian work displayed at Cal U. of Pa.The exhibit will include a sculpture created by Darryl Provonost, a member of the Mohawk tribe, that uses metal recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center during the clean up at Ground Zero, a project Mohawk skywalkers also participated in.

"What's interesting about this particular exhibit is that it will run during the anniversary of 9/11, and the Mohawks were the people that put up the structure and also dismantled it after the plane crashes," said Joyce Hanley, executive vice-president at Cal U. "They were there at the beginning and the end."

Thruway through sovereign nation

Tribe's Thruway signs welcome motorist to Seneca territoryThe Seneca Nation of Indians has erected signs along a western stretch of the Thruway welcoming motorists to sovereign territory.

The signs posted on both sides of Interstate 90 near Exit 58, 25 miles south of Buffalo, alert drivers that they're entering and leaving land controlled by the Seneca tribe.

The signs also tell motorists that a fee is being assessed for their passage through Seneca lands and is paid by New York state.

Taos version of Dangerous Liaisons

Midnight Society by James Lujan

A new play premieres at the N4th Theater in Albuquerque on August 31:The story begins during dark times for the Indians of Taos Pueblo. The tribe is losing its land to Anglo and Spanish squatters; losing its sacred place of worship, Blue Lake, to the U.S. Forest Service; and losing its children to Catholic boarding schools. Enter Mabel, a wealthy, scheming, Jazz-age socialite who has chosen Taos as her home and a Pueblo Indian, Antonio, as her husband. They are a well-matched pair who have made it their mission to help protect the tribe, expose the hypocrisies of their enemies, and have as much fun as they can along the way. Using sex, mind games and cruelty as their weapons, the couple launches a merciless attack against the politicians, church leaders and even innocent bystanders who stand in their way—until the only ones left standing in their way are each other.

Playwright’s statement: “As far back as 1997, I had planned to do an independent film which would have been a modern day version of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses,” but then the movie “Cruel Intentions” came along and that pretty much ended that project. I’ve always been fascinated by this piece of literature, but as I started researching and exploring more of the history of Taos and my tribe, I became particularly intrigued with the 1920’s art colony, and I started to wonder what would happen if I revisited the literary source and applied it to this time period. As I started writing, I found that the history and the literature meshed quite nicely, and it’s one of the works that I’ve had the most fun writing.

“I think it’s important to challenge perceptions of 'American Indian theater,' and I think this play will push those perceptions to the limit.”

Native Roots and Rhythms Festival

Showcase for Natives

Native Roots & Rhythms expands, attracting variety of artistsThe night began with an opening prayer by Kiowa powwow singers Sharon and Ralph Zotigh, followed by Indian school students in a spoken word performance.

Then Darren Geffre, Blackfeet, and his four-piece band livened up the still-growing audience with soft rock tunes. Geffre has several albums along with Native American Music Awards nominations to his credit.

Poet, musician, actor and Native rights activist John Trudell and his band Bad Dog took the stage next, preceded by the screening of a trailer from the 2006 documentary "Trudell."

Next to take the stage was Tamara Podemski, Ojibway, a singer originally from Toronto, now based in Los Angeles.

She was followed by Amokura, a Maori troupe from New Zealand comprised of five men and four women garbed in traditional clothing and, in some cases, heavily tattooed in the custom of their people.

Then the headliners took the stage--Navajo comedy duo James & Ernie.

Punisher trained by Indian

PunisherThe Punisher is a fictional vigilante and anti-hero in the Marvel Comics Universe. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru, he first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Feb. 1974).

The Punisher is a vigilante who considers killing, kidnapping, extortion, coercion, threats of violence and torture as acceptable crime-fighting tactics. Driven by the deaths of his wife and children, who were killed by the mob when they witnessed a Mafia gangland execution in New York City's Central Park, Frank Castle wages a one-man war on the mob and all criminals in general by using all manner of weaponry. A war veteran, Castle is a master of martial arts, stealth tactics, hand-to-hand combat, spatial planning and a wide variety of weapons.

Early life and military career

During his time in the USMC, Castle graduated from boot camp and then went on to U.S. Marine Corps School of Infantry. Immediately after, he went through the USMC's Reconnaissance, Force Reconnaissance, and Sniper Schools. Attaining dockets, Castle was permitted to go through U.S. Army Airborne School, and U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team training, becoming qualified as a Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land). While still in training, Castle met Phan Bighawk, a Native American scout. He was assigned to be Castle's guide, and through Phan, he learned how to survive in the wilderness.

Smart Native lasses and lad

Indianer-Inuit Video:  Tantoo, Joy, Nakotah in GermanyAs readers of NativeVue's John Blackbird are familiar, European audiences can't get enough of Indian culture whether it's dance, music, film, art or literature. It's hardly a surprise, then, that the annual Indianer-Inuit North American Native Film Festival held in Stuttgart, Germany this past March was a resounding success as it celebrated the best Native American arts has to offer.

During the event, filmmakers Sharif Korvner and Marina Weiss produced a 16-minute video which includes short interviews with the Festival's featured guests including actress Tantoo Cardinal, teen actor and champion dancer Nakotah LaRance and poet Joy Harjo. All three talk frankly about how they envision their role as Indigenous artists in the mainstream culture. Take a few minutes to watch the interviews in these YouTube clips—two smart ladies and one smart kid…:)

Tribal chants and doom metal

Tomahawk, AnonymousNever one to rest on his most successful band’s laurels, Mike Patton’s post Faith No More career has traversed a series of bands and musical styles. From Mr. Bungle to Fantomas to his current outfit Tomahawk, his creativity seems to edge in a new, more adventurous direction with each new release.

On Anonymous, the third CD from Patton’s latest project, Tomahawk, and the first to coincides with the band name. Anonymous is a loosely connected series of compositions inspired by Native American tribal chants. The songs are imbued with hints of doom metal and menacing horror movie soundtrack theme music. Patton’s guitarist Duane Denison, inspired by the Native American bands he saw while on tour with Hank Williams III, researched the American Indian music that is the basis for Anonymous.

Two major articles

I wrote these articles for a publisher who decided not to use them. Now I've posted them online. They're worth reading, if I do say so myself. ;-)

The Political Uses of Stereotyping

Chief, brave, squaw. Warrior, mystic, nature lover. Savage, thief, drunk. When most people think of Native Americans, these are the images that come to mind. They're stereotypes, to be sure, but they have a staying power as strong as the truth.

California Imaging:  Framing the Indian

The view that tribes are wealthy and powerful is a pervasive one. It's held to varying degrees by the public, the media, and politicians. A recent Google search generated 10,100 hits for "rich tribes" but only 635 for "poor tribes."

What Richardson, Kucinich, and Gravel said

Three candidates' appeal to American Indians rises at Prez on the Rez forumRichardson derided the candidates who failed to attend, while lauding the event as pivotal for Indians.

"It shows that this is in my judgment a step forward, although it is negative and embarrassing that not every candidate is here," he said.

Richardson, who reminded attendees he was the first candidate to agree to attend the forum, met with tribal leaders before the forum and laid out a 14-point plan for addressing Indian issues. Among his pledges was a plan to help Indians develop energy sources, which was echoed by Gravel.

All three candidates vowed to improve Indian representation in federal government, from judicial appointments to Cabinet positions.Prez on Rez boost for tribes"I'm not interested in tokenism," Richardson said, reminding constituents that he already has two American Indians on his cabinet.

"Native Americans will be at the table if I'm elected," he said.

Kucinich also emphasized that he would like to bridge the gap between the White House and the country's "native brothers and sisters."

"As president of the United States, I intend to repair our nation repair the breach that was created years ago by the government," he told the crowd. "Let's talk as leaders around the campfire."

In terms of tribal sovereignty, Kucinich said the matter is critical and that he intends to use executive orders to restore that power to Indian Country.Drums, politics mix at forum[Kucinich] also pledged to increase law enforcement on tribal lands, where, one tribal leader pointed out, one in three American Indian women can expect to be raped in their lifetime.

Like Richardson, he called for a better health-care system.

"The health-care needs of our people need to be held up above the profit needs of the health-care industry," he said.

Gravel's remarks repeatedly drew loud laughs or applause. One particularly loud moment came after he said that when he goes to sleep at night, he does so smiling because he knows that Indian gaming is taking back money from "white men" and putting it in casino coffers.

"My God, is there some justice in the world?" he said chuckling.

He slammed the nation's war on drugs, which he said has failed because it treats it as a crime, not as a public health issue.

"It`s abominable" he said.

Gravel also pledged to seek the release of Leonard Peltier, an American Indian convicted of slaying two FBI agents despite great debate regarding the fairness of his trial.

Marshall is rapist, liar

Wampanoag leader was convicted of rape, lied about military recordGlenn Marshall—the man asking politicians, investors and Massachusetts residents to trust his tribe to build a casino—was convicted of rape in 1981 and embellished his military record before Congress and in newspaper interviews, records indicate.

Marshall, 57, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag, raped a 22-year-old visitor to the Cape in the summer of 1980, according to court records and the Cape Cod Times news archive. Marshall offered to drive the Illinois woman to her sister's house from a party in Barnstable and instead drove her to a secluded spot in West Barnstable, where he sexually assaulted her, the Times reported.And:In 2004, during a congressional oversight hearing on the tribe's request for federal recognition, Marshall testified he survived the siege of Khe Sahn during the Vietnam War. He had also made that claim in a Cape Cod Times interview in 1998 and before a state gaming panel in 2002.

But while Marines were fighting back a 77-day onslaught by the North Vietnamese from January to April of 1968, Marshall was still a senior in high school in Falmouth. School records confirm he graduated from Lawrence High School on June 9, 1968, a school spokeswoman said.Mashpee Chairman Apologizes, Turns Over DutiesThe chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe apologized today for misrepresenting his military record and turned his duties over to the tribe’s vice chairman.

Tribal Vice Chairman Shawn Hendricks will “assume (Marshall’s) day-to-day responsibilities” so Marshall can “properly deal with the mental and physical issues" Marshall is facing, the statement read.

“Like a lot of veterans from that era, I realize I have my own demons that I need to deal with,” Marshall said.

Civil rights issue of the century?

Race, not citizenship, informs Watson's Cherokee billWatson embarked on a publicity tour to promote the bill's virtues with town hall meetings co-sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Congressional Black Caucus. At a Tulsa library, Watson characterized the controversy as the "most significant civil rights movement of this century." Not to diminish the freedmen's plight, but most Americans would probably point to the Bush administration's domestic spying program as the biggest threat to civil rights in this 7-year-old 21st century.

The hyperbole didn't end there. Watson was accompanied--at the library--by U.S. Capitol police officers and proceeded to admonish an Indian nation for allegedly violating treaty obligations. "The law says we can't use U.S. dollars to violate the law," she said in Tulsa. "American money can't be used to discriminate." Watson was likely alluding to the outdated stereotype of the non-taxpaying, ward-of-the-state Indian. It is both disconcerting and comforting to know that hypocrisy is the basis of Watson's misguided crusade.Comment:  I'd say gay rights (e.g., gay marriage) are more likely to be this century's greatest civil rights issue.

Running for peace

Native American Youth On Peace, Unity TourFresh from the excitement of an address to the United Nations in New York City, a group of Native American youth and elders arrived in Cape May County Aug. 14 on a tour from Canada to Virginia promoting peace and unity on behalf of indigenous people.

Two Native American young men carried staffs—poles made out of tree branches, decorated with feathers—while running along Route 9 in Rio Grande, then through Erma, on their way to catch the 4:30 p.m. Cape May Lewes Ferry here. The runners were accompanied by four vans from Ontario filled with supporters.

The tour is a Native tradition that dates back to 1986, according to Stacey Green, 25, one of the youth organizers, from Six Nations Territory near Toronto, Ontario.

“In 1986 we had an elder from out west in South Dakota—he had a vision,” Green explained. “That vision was to retrace the footsteps of our ancestors and to wipe the tears from our eyes from all the trauma that we’ve been through as a people,” she said.

Mountain Meadows massacre movie

Ahead of 'September Dawn,' Mormon Church revisits dark period

In response to the new movie, the church sheds light on the 1857 Mountain Meadows massacre.The "Utah War" has largely faded from American memory as the Mormon Church--and the public's acceptance of it--evolved. But one incident from that time stubbornly lingers and is now the subject of a fictionalized film that opens in theaters Friday.

On Sept. 11, 1857, Mormons aided by native American allies massacred about 120 unarmed men, women, and children bound for California by wagon train. The slaughter took place amid war hysteria: The US Army was marching toward Utah to confront Mormon leaders.

After covering up the Mountain Meadows massacre for years, the church is supporting an exhaustive Mormon research effort to leave no stone unturned. The findings, unflattering in spots, are being broadcast worldwide in the latest edition of the church's magazine.

Reminiscing with Rita

Coolidge concert takes fans on a nostalgic journeyCoolidge delivered the goods, singing "Rain," "Delta Lady," "Fever," "We're All Alone" and "Higher and Higher."

Coolidge did some remembering of her own, calling up her Southern roots.

"My daddy is a preacher," Coolidge said, alluding to her days as a rock 'n' roll backup singer for Joe Cocker. "I didn't get involved in all the things of those times . . . [I] just tried to help out my friends."

Coolidge also showed her pride in being American Indian, singing "Amazing Grace" in her native Cherokee.

Join a tribe, avoid car taxes

Drivers pay for "Native American" status to skip car taxes, registrationA scam sweeping the nation hits South Carolina roads. Richland County investigators say some behind the wheel are getting a free ride from taxes and registration fees, by signing up to be Native American.

[The Little Shell Pembina band of North America is] a self-proclaimed Native American tribe that issues their own plates and registration cards, a great benefit for anyone willing to pay money to be a member of the tribe. The only problem is that the federal government doesn't recognize Little Shell Pembina.

Gum proves Mexican origins

Ancient Chewing Gum Yields DNASteven LeBlanc has been dreaming about ancient DNA for several decades, but he never had any luck extracting it from museum artifacts. Then, a few years ago, LeBlanc, an archaeologist and collections manager at Harvard University's Peabody Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, had a brainstorm. He was staring at drawers full of quids--wads of plant material chewed by ancient Native Americans--when he realized, "Quid ... saliva ... DNA ... DING!"

In the September Journal of Field Archaeology, LeBlanc and several co-authors report that they have recovered DNA from 2000-year-old quids, as well as from aprons worn by Native Americans. The quids and aprons belonged to a vanished tribe that archaeologists call the Western Basketmakers. Between about 500 B.C.E. and 500 C.E., they lived in caves and rock shelters in what is now southern Utah and northern Arizona. Dry conditions are ideal for preserving DNA, and researchers have previously extracted ancient DNA from skeletons and feces of both humans and animals (ScienceNOW, 16 July 1998).

After getting the idea to test quids, LeBlanc teamed up with Thomas Benjamin, a cancer biologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, and other researchers. They pulled mitochondrial DNA from 48 quids and from 18 aprons that had been stained with what was likely menstrual blood. Then they scanned the DNA for various molecular markers called haplogroups, which appear in different frequencies in different parts of the world.

LeBlanc and his colleagues found that about 14% of these samples contained haplogroup A. This haplogroup is extremely rare in the Southwest, but it occurs in about half of the population of Central America. The intermediate frequency in the sample of Western Basketmakers fits with the idea that they migrated from somewhere in central Mexico, bringing agriculture into the turf of foragers. The results were confirmed by a second laboratory, and LeBlanc says the absence of European haplogroups rules out the possibility of contamination.

Another paean to Aaron

'Scalped' writer having sizzling August“Scalped,” Aaron’s first ongoing series, is set on an Indian reservation where its once proud people are ruled by drugs and organized crime.

“I love crime stories and it seemed like such a natural setting for a crime book,” said Aaron, who has had a lifelong fascination with American Indian culture.

Rob Schmidt, the author of “Peace Party,” a comic book featuring American Indians, has criticized “Scalped” for its “ultra-negative” portrayal of life on the reservation.

Aaron, though, says reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve gotten letters from reservations all over the country, from Native Americans who are fans of the book.”

It’s not, however, a book for everyone, he cautions.

“It’s a violent, profane crime story, and I think some people just object to the principal of that.”Comment:  I don't object to SCALPED because it's violent and profane. I object to it because it stereotypes Indians as criminals, thugs, and lowlifes.

Indians have always appreciated seeing themselves in the media, which is why they often like old Westerns and sports mascots. That doesn't mean these things aren't stereotypical.

For more commentary on SCALPED, go to SCALPED:  Another Comic Book Gets Indians Wrong.

Documentary touts Jesse Ed Davis

Oklahoma Filmmakers Hope to Get Legendary Kiowa Musician Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of FameWhen Oklahoma filmmaker Steve Judd (Kiowa/Choctaw) came across an article written about the life of musician Jesse Ed Davis, he quickly telephoned his friend and business partner, fellow filmmaker, Tvli Jacob (Choctaw). The two had never heard of Jesse Ed Davis, and his story fascinated both of them. Davis’ impressive resume struck both filmmakers—so much so, that they decided to make a documentary to examine the life of the gifted musician.

“Several things about Jesse Ed affected me. He was from Oklahoma. He was Kiowa. He went to OU and he was an accomplished guitarist who played with all the greats, like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, all the big musicians,” Judd said.The filmmakers' goal:Filmmakers Judd and Jacob hope their documentary will revive a new following and interest in Jesse Ed Davis, but most importantly, both filmmakers hope their documentary will serve as a catalyst in getting Jesse Ed Davis inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“That’s really our main goal with this film, is to get Jesse Ed inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He deserves it,” said Judd.

"Prez on the Rez" online

Native Americans:  Honored or Snubbed by Dems?What do you get when you put 150 Native American leaders in a room to have at it with the three Dem Presidential candidates that are too radical for prime time, and throw in Chairman of the Democratic Party, the rebel yeller himself, Howard Dean? The most head banging peyote trip ever? Maybe not, but on August 23 you can catch it streaming live on www.prezontherez.org at 3:30 pm PST (5:30 pm Central). If you see one Presidential debate all year, catch this puppy!

Guaranteed, these three candidates, Governor Bill Richardson (NM), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH), and former Senator Mike Gravel (AK) are the ones that seem to have left their spin doctors at the door, and shock and awe nearly every time they open their mouths. They are usually brushed off by the mainstream media for the more big buck candidates and the retread sound bites of the purported duking it out by Hillary and Obama at the other debates, so this is a rare opportunity to hear some genuinely fresh and fearless voices hash it out. And the other ‘silent’ America, the Native Americans, get some long overdue quality time too. I don’t recommend missing it, and we will be there to report to you.

Indian culture drives success

Remember our Indian heritageOne of the central findings of the ongoing research of The Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development is that native culture isn't an obstacle to be overcome, but instead is a powerful driver of the relative success or failure of Indian communities. This happens wherever tribes take over their own enterprises and manage them in a manner consonant with native priorities, perspectives and goals.

HPAIED's working definition of native culture is one that is derived from what resonates within a given native community and includes languages spoken, arts used to express who a people are and what they value, religions observed, and the ways in which people choose to define and govern themselves. The arts are an important part of socioeconomic development because the arts are the means by which a community defines and expresses itself. As the saying goes, "art is a way of life,” and art often is one of the primary mechanisms a community uses to project the definition of itself into the broader world.

Canada blocks UN declaration

Backpedalling on native rightsCanada is one of seven countries blocking the quest for a universal declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. The other holdouts are Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Most members of the United Nations would like to see the charter, which has been under discussion for 20 years, adopted by the General Assembly at its fall session.

Sixty-seven states are co-sponsoring it. The UN Human Rights Council approved it last summer (over Canada's objections). Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy calls it a test of "Canada's influence as a credible and influential voice for the protection of human rights."

My PEACE PARTY video

Promo for the upcoming graphic novel of PEACE PARTY, the multicultural comic book featuring Native Americans.

Web warriors for culture

Navajos Turn To Technology Vs. ProblemsNavajo leaders see tradition-based technology—tools that help preserve their customs and culture—as the way to ensure the Native American nation's survival.

"What we're trying to do is to get caught up with the rest of the world and at the same time, help ourselves to be independent—standing on our own—and get back to having pride," said Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr.

The Navajo Nation is setting up wireless Internet access in its 110 "chapter houses," which work like municipal governments for communities of 200 to 9,000 people.

Some 40% of the chapter houses have computer centers. Leaders hope eventually to have five Web Warriors for each of them. So far, the program has trained a total of 10.

The Navajos are learning to use the technology for land-use planning, geographical data analysis, demographic research and planning and estimating capital expenditures for infrastructure.

E-commerce is another benefit. Navajo artisans can sell their renowned turquoise and silver jewelry and rugs online.

Camp for Native candidates

Camp teaches how to run campaignLike most summer camp attendees, Maya Torralba found herself gaining confidence from the lessons instilled by her instructors.

But unlike most camps, where kids swim, play or practice a particular athletic skill, Torralba was one of 45 adults learning how to run a political campaign.

The camp is run by INDN's List, a partisan organization based in Tulsa, Okla., that backs American Indians who are Democratic candidates for political office.What they learn:A total of 25 tribes from around the nation are represented at the camp. The camp offers vast lessons on the nuances of campaigns.

The first day's itinerary included such lessons as "Delivering an Effective Message," "Creating Your Stump Speech," "How to Create Your Vision," and "Opposition Research Basics."

Speakers are highly skilled consultants and campaign workers who donated their time, Free said.Below:  Organizer Kalyn Free.

"Arctic Son" isn't expressive

Television Review | 'Arctic Son'

Learning the Simple Life With Stanley of the North[T]hese aren’t the most expressive of individuals. The director, Andrew Walton, chooses not to use narration, and neither man is very talkative. There are long pauses between statements, little extended dialogue and a tension that never really fades.

Almost reluctantly, Stan Jr. begins to enjoy learning at least some lessons in the old ways: how to harness a team of sled dogs, set a snare for a rabbit and unfurl a net under the ice when fishing in winter. When he catches a rabbit, he is clearly proud.

Stan Sr. is trying to help his son, but is also recruiting him. “It’s a good life,” the father says, “a simple life.” And speaking of his son, “It’s a better life for him, to live here.”

Stan Jr. returns to Seattle, though the wilderness and its creed of self-reliance have bitten him and his old life of drinking and partying holds a shade less appeal. It’s not clear what his decision will be, but he does make his way north again by the end of the film.

"How many Indians on the bridge?"

Internet game raises ire of Island First Nations

'The Duncan Bridge' posted on Facebook deemed racist by manyA game posted on the social-networking website Facebook has First Nations representatives in the Cowichan Valley enraged, calling the game racist and demeaning, and they're asking for it to be pulled.

The game, posted by a creator named Ted Hobby--a member of the University of Victoria network--involves predicting how many First Nations people are on the Trans-Canada Highway bridge, dubbed the silver bridge, that spans the Cowichan River in Duncan.

A similar game posted on Facebook last week called "How many Indians on the bridge?" had 2,000 people registered as participants. That page disappeared on Monday afternoon but was replaced yesterday with another page called "The Duncan Bridge." By mid-afternoon, 32 people had signed up.

Pocahontas's society was complex

Dig Casts New Light On Indian Culture

Va. Archaeological Findings Unveil Complex Society"There's no place like Werowocomoco," Gallivan said. For the Algonquians, for centuries the dominant tribe of Virginia's Tidewater region, it was the ancient center of the universe.

The discoveries at this site have provided a counter to impressions created by colonists such as Smith, who described the natives as "idle," "ignorant of the knowledge of gold" and "carelesse of any thing but from hand to mouth."

"Historians tend to portray Virginia Indians as a static, unchanging culture," said David Brown, another archeologist with the Werowocomoco Research Group. "This really widens our perspective of how complex this society was and had been for a very long time."

Native holiday proposed

Bill would create holiday for Native AmericansBlack Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when the Christmas shopping season starts, could soon become known as Native American Heritage Day. That’s because lawmakers in Washington are discussing a bill that would create a special holiday honoring the contributions of Native Americans. S.1852, the bill’s number, was introduced by U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii).

For some Native Americans, Thanksgiving is called Thanks taking, a reminder of what tribes lost when Europeans made contact with their ancestors. By establishing a national holiday, Arizona Native Americans hope they’re heritage will finally be recognized.

Kudos for Raven Tales

Animation artist inspired by American Indian heritageThe Kansas-born animator, producer, director, actor and writer moved to New Mexico as a baby.

"Growing up among the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi people of New Mexico gave me a great respect for North American aboriginal art and culture" and his own Cherokee heritage, he said.

"Raven Tales," an animated TV series inspired by legends of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, has aired in Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom and garnered rave reviews and numerous awards, including Best Animated Film at the 2005 Reel to Real International Film Festival for Youth in Vancouver, Canada, Best Animated Short Subject at the 2004 American Indian Film Festival, and Best Native Film at the 2004 Santa Fe Film Festival. In 2006, he was invited to the United Nations to screen "Raven Tales" at a special day of film as part of the U.N.'s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

"I think computer animation is the perfect medium to tell First Nations stories," Kientz said. "There is a certain visual freedom and sense of reality that is unique to the medium and complements the playfulness of the "Raven Tales.' The only limit to computer animation is your imagination. Nothing else comes close. I also like computer animation as a medium for First Nations stories because it shatters expectations. It tells people outside the First Nations community that there is no restriction on which medium First Nations people can adopt to tell their stories."

Macon park to include Native history

Group looking at ways to incorporate archaeological finds into Water Works ParkWhen Macon's newest and biggest city park opens to the public next year, you'll be able to picnic in the same spot where people have been eating their dinners for 10,000 years.

Archaeological research is being conducted throughout the 185 acres, surrounded by a bend in the Ocmulgee River, where NewTown Macon is developing Water Works Park. Surface collections in past decades, combined with a new study, reveal hundreds of spear points, primitive knives, shards of prehistoric pottery and more.Officials want to do more than just dig up the past:Sheridan said the park should include American Indian and prehistoric history.

"Indian heritage is probably the least utilized aspect our area has got," he said. "There are three places on the North American continent where there's documented proof of human habitation since the last Ice Age. To me, that's a big deal," he said. "A lot of people would be interested in learning about that and in coming to Macon to do so, and we'd like to help those people."

Schoolhouse had "Americanization Room"

Not-so-proud historyToday, the Little Red School House in Cathedral City is colorfully painted with playful images of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Dumbo. But 75 years ago in Palm Springs, color was used more insidiously.

Known as the "Americanization Room," it was used to segregate Mexican, Indian and black children from the adjacent Frances Stevens Elementary School in Palm Springs.

Every morning, their teacher, Miss Sharp, had about 36 children in first through third grades line up outside to check them for lice, food in their teeth, or smudges of dirt on their palms, said another former student, Vera Prieto Wall, 74, of Palm Springs.

If Miss Sharp found lice, she would cut the child's hair short. If there was food or dirt on one child, she'd have them all brush their teeth or wash their hands.

Compensation for dislocated children

Residential school settlement OK'dIf 5,000 had refused the settlement, Ottawa would have had the right to scrap the deal.

But few declined, meaning an aboriginal who was forced to be away from his or her family while attending a residential school will get an average $27,000.

The minimum payment is $10,000, plus $3,000 for each year he or she spent in a residential school.

The federal government forced generations of native children to attend residential schools run by six Christian denominations. Stories of dislocation as well as physical and sexual abuse are typical of their experiences. The policy continued up to the 1960s.

Toll road vs. sacred site

O.C. tollway could spoil burial site

The sacred burial site, mentioned in mission logs from the 1770s, abuts the planned extension of the 241 toll road.Robles is a member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians.

The valley, where her ancestors lived 4,000 years ago in an ancient Acjachemen Nation village called Panhe, is threatened by a proposed six-lane toll road next to the site that could unearth human remains and damage a sacred spot that Juaneños have visited for generations.

"To Indian people, we go to these places because they're our Vatican, our Mecca," said the San Clemente resident. We "go for spiritual renewal."

Poverty killed kids?

Fix native poverty or expect more tragedies:  leaderThere will be more deaths like the recent drowning of a boy on a Manitoba reserve by three youngsters unless something is done about the social ills rampant on many native reserves, the head of an aboriginal child welfare agency warns.

"We allow kids to grow up in extreme poverty," says Elsie Flett, head of the First Nations of Southern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority. "Why are we then surprised when these kids become violent? Society has really been very violent towards them."

National Minority Manufacturer of the Year

Muskogee Metalworks recognized nationallyMuskogee Metalworks has received national recognition as the National Minority Manufacturer of the Year.

The National Minority Manufacturer of the Year award is given away annually to minority manufacturers that are certified. The award is given by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Minority Business Development Agency.

Kirk's great love Miramanee

What If Miramanee Had Lived?Why do people always gloss over the importance of Kirk's marriage to High Priestess Miramanee (Paradise Syndrome)? Everybody is always Edith Keeler blah, blah, blah great love of his life blah, blah, blah. Kirk barely knew Edith Keeler. He never made it past first base with her.

Jim Kirk was married to Miramanee for months, and got her pregnant and everything! Jim and Miramanee were obviously very happy with each other. Miramanee obviously loved Jim quite sincerely, and she was a super-decent lady. She was loyal to him to the last, even when her whole tribe turned against him! She courageously took her place at his side while he was being stoned, and this incredible act of devotion cost her her life. It was literally until death did them part. Doesn't that count as a great love!? If not, then what the heck does a gal have to do to rate!?

And why make such a big deal about Kirk's forced kiss with Uhura, when Kirk had a very happy interracial MARRIAGE with Miramanee? He was so ecstatically happy about his marriage to her that he hugged himself at one point out of sheer, pure, unalloyed JOY. I say THAT COUNTS FOR SOMETHING.What if Miramanee had lived?If Miramanee had lived, Kirk would have stayed with her. To Kirk, it would be the only right thing to do. Plus, that choice does have its attractions. For one thing, he has a gorgeous wife who's crazy-nutty hot for him. He's got a kid on the way--not just A kid, her kid--he could do it right this time. It would not be like it was with Carol and David, he would have a chance to be a real father, and a real husband to a very enthusiastic wife!

Kirk could be a great leader for those people. He possesses all kinds of knowledge that will prove extremely useful to them. He knows CPR for example. He's already in a leadership position: he's starting out at the top. If he leaves her, he'll be leaving all of them. I don't know how many natives there are, but there could certainly be more than 430 of them. What about all of them? Kirk is a responsible guy, and this is a dream job. He's not going to casually shrug off this opportunity.Comment:  So the most satisfying relationship Captain Kirk ever had was with an Indian. The only place that might've tempted him to leave the Enterprise and Starfleet was a Native Shangri-La. Interesting.

"Super Indian" on the Web

The latest news from Arigon Starr:The other exciting news is that "Super Indian" has been mixed by Bill Dufris and sounds great. The ten episodes move along at a quick pace a la "The Simpsons" or "Futurama" with lots of "Rez" humor and super hero action. The show will premiere on the Native Voice One Network in November.

The coolest news about "Super Indian" is that Native Voices at the Autry has just ordered MORE episodes of the series. If you're in the Los Angeles area in November you can be a part of the preview audience during the Native Voices Festival of New Plays. "Super Indian" will go up on Sunday, November 18th at 2:00pm with four, all-new fifteen minute episodes.

Work on the "Super Indian" comic book is coming along great. You can take a look at the brand new "Super Indian" website at SuperIndianComics.com.

Next COWBOYS & ALIENS to be more respectful

Another e-mail from PRELUDE: A CALL FOR HEROES artist Rick Hershey:Thanks Rob,

i appreciate that and thank you for the support. It was important to me to approach the issue of native americans (and the future cultures we'll explore) with a bit more dignity and realism. Although i know little of my ancestors, i'm only a couple generations from the Susquehannock Indians that make up my lineage and a part of me felt it a very important issue to try and get a respectful representation of the apache and other indians in our story. So, hopefully those who read the story of the native american community can see that we are striving for a less stereotyped portrayal.

so thanks, and i hope to talk to you again ... and cross my fingers that some of what we are doing makes it's way into the film.

rick

"Arctic Son" trailer

P.O.V. | Arctic Son PreviewStan, Jr., raised in Seattle, is drifting deeper into drinking and partying. Stan, Sr. lives in the Canadian Yukon, and keeps the ways of his Gwitchin ancestors alive by hunting, fishing and living by his wits. After a lifetime apart, the two are reunited in the village of Old Crow, 80 miles above the Arctic Circle.

Broadcast Date:  Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 10PM (90 minutes)

"No apology required: Celebrate Jamestown!"

Two Stereotype of the Month entries from (what else?) a conservative Christian:

Indians practicing cannibalism and torture dominated America

Indians invent "mythology" about "holocaust" around campfire

Al Jazeera plays Aboriginal cartoons?

Be Careful Who You Play With...Native Appropriation Rides On[I]t ain’t helpful to have your art used to promote an ugly ideology. Case in point: Al Jazeera. Yep, that Al Jazeera. The same network that stealthily promotes the annihilation of Israel and, non-too-subtly, Western culture. The same network that trumpeted the horrific film of Daniel Pearl’s beheading and the charred torsos of tortured American contractors swinging from a Baghdad overpass.

No matter that Al-behead-TV has a kid’s network which approached the producers of an animated show about Indian legends. Sure, it’s for kids; sure it is created by actual Indians from the U.S. and Canada. Sure, it has received high marks for its quality animation and attention to historical accuracy and features the voice talent of renowned Aboriginal actors. This is all true. Which is probably why Al Jazeera wants this program in its lineup.

So what, you say—it’s a damn cartoon! Sure, sure sure...but remember this—you don’t have to go any further than the network’s comments page to discover the sentiments Al Jazeera truly advances. And it ain’t Barney and Big Bird.I gather this article is talking about the Raven Tales videos, which I've reported on before. Here are some details from the Raven Tales blog:Despite its lack of local recognition, Raven Tales is selling well internationally. The show is airing on ZDF in Germany and Maori Television in New Zealand. In the next few months, dubbed versions will be rolling out in Japan (NHK), France (Canal J), Norway (NRK) and all across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, on the Arabic-language Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, a free satellite channel that reaches 50 million viewers.

"At first I thought it was a joke," co-producer Chris Kientz said of the letter he received from Al Jazeera’s head of acquisitions "urgently" requesting VHS screening tapes and international versions.But according to Kientz, the connection never happened:When the Globe and Mail ran their article on Raven Tales back in Nov. of 2006 we had not finalized an agreement with Al Jazeera because of moral reservations and never did. Let me repeat, we have never been shown on Al Jazeera and never will be. Feel free to look up their programming schedule or speak with them directly.Comment:  The notion of appearing on Al Jazeera is an interesting question. Do you withhold your Native artwork because you disapprove of Al Jazeera's mission? Or do you proffer it because you believe in its power to change hearts and minds?

Incidentally, I've probably bashed the United States for its flaws and mistakes almost as much as Ward Churchill or Al Jazeera. Do I feel bad about that? Hell, no.

When we launched our war on terror, I spent the better part of a year compiling arguments and writing responses to the "good vs. evil" warmongers. As I often suggested, Ward Churchill was right about one thing. Whether it's Indians or Iraqis, the US has little regard for the lives of non-whites and non-Christians.

Controversy over Little Tree

Ahearn:  'Native’ book on 7th-grade list a 'slap in the face’Kernodle's principal, Charles Burns, said teachers chose the title from a National Middle School Association list. Burns was unaware of the furor over the book and said the goal of the reading was a standard lesson in content and grammar, and there was no consideration of the source.

"I think you're reading too much into it," said Burns, who called the reading suggested, not required. "If there's anything inappropriate in it that is pointed out to us, we have no problem removing it."

Although the back story of the book remains well-known in literary and Indian circles, where it has been dubbed "Little Fraud," the casual reader would today have no clue to its bizarre lineage. The current edition has dropped the words "A true story" from the cover, and the book has moved from the "biography" shelf to "young adult/fiction."

Still, the reissued edition by the University of New Mexico Press makes no mention of the hoax in its foreward or cover notes, and after selling a million copies, the book in 1991 won a coveted ABBY, the American Booksellers Book of the Year. That's the same award "Cold Mountain" received in 1997, as a book that dealers "most enjoy recommending."Ignorance is no excuse:At Kernodle, principal Burns said the national middle school approved reading list was "so extensive that there is no way of reviewing everything that's on that list."

But in an age when Google puts information at teachers' fingertips, observed a veteran Lumbee leader, such facts are readily available.

"Ignorance is less and less of an excuse," said the Guilford Native American Association founder, Ruth Revels. She is Kernodle parent Jennifer Revels' mother, and is the widow of former Greensboro City Councilman Lonnie Revels.

"I'm 71. I'm tired. Every time we go forward, we regress again. Would you assign 'Little Black Sambo' for black children to read? Imagine."

Chavez and Morales, friends of Natives

Kearns:  Beyond sound bites:  The next U.S. president and indigenous AmericaChavez's pro-indigenous policies is the reason Native peoples throughout Latin America see him as a friend. Many are also positively inclined towards Chavez due to his close relationship to the man seen as the President of Indigenous America, Evo Morales. And how will the next U.S. president deal with this radical Aymaran leader? If he or she cannot deal with Chavez or Castro, does that mean that the chief executive will shun the one man in this hemisphere who has brought more indigenous people into the halls of leadership than any other official in post-invasion history?

That would be a great shame. Morales and his allies are trying to write a constitution that will guarantee property, cultural and political rights to some of the poorest people in the world; and in Bolivia that means mostly Aymarans, Quechuans and so many other indigenous and mestizo peoples throughout the country. Bolivia's Constituent Assembly is still struggling with all kinds of pressures, internal and external, but they have frightened the elites and their supporters and they have made some progress.

American Indians in the United States are looking to President Morales as well; they perceive him as a great inspiration and an ally. Morales has returned the compliment as well. On more than a few occasions in the last year, President Morales and Native leaders from the United States and Canada have met and discussed how they can help each other.

Seminole company builds aircraft

The little plane that could

Micco finally overcomes its many obstacles When the Micco Aircraft Co. Inc. of Bartlesville rolls out its first Oklahoma-manufactured Micco SP26A aircraft this fall, it will have overcome time, lawsuits, tribal politics, hot air and high water to produce a unique airplane.

"This is a niche-market airplane," said Micco President and co-owner F. DeWitt Beckett. "We're not trying to be Cessna or Piper. This is a high-performance, complex tail wheel, instrument-rated aerobatic airplane. It's the only one on the market that fits the bill."Some background on the company: But for the determination of Beckett and Micco co-owner and Chairman James Billie, Micco Aircraft Co. might never have gotten off the ground.

Billie, chief of the Seminole Tribe, wanted the Seminoles to branch out into new businesses. He thought they could set the pace in new technology and aircraft manufacturing.

"Chief Jim Billie is a pilot," Beckett said. "It was his desire to show the world that an Indian tribe could do something besides smoke shops, casinos and gambling."

Wonder Woman inspires skateboard artist

Artist creates woman warrior skateboardsJolene Nenibah Yazzie remembers as a young girl how she and her little sister Janene were awed by the abilities of the comic book superhero Wonder Woman.

They were fascinated by a number of other female super heroes, but they dazzled with Wonder Woman’s long black hair that reflected their own, and were infatuated by the strength and exuberance she possessed. Remembering their crazed enthusiasm for Wonder Woman made them laugh Thursday evening.

“But we always wanted to look up to Native super heroes,” remembers Jolene Yazzie.

Being as there was no Native super heroes—and no Native woman super heroes at that—Yazzie would eventually create her own.

Taking a break from her dinner at Coal Street Pub, Yazzie takes out a skateboard with the image of her first Native women super hero Ko’ Asdzaa, translating to “Fire Woman” in Navajo. It will be the first image in limited edition series of skateboards designed by Yazzie.

April Stereotype of the Month loser

The loser:  Verdun:  Native "immigrants" merely existed, had no farming

Dishonorable mention:  CSI: Miami:  Victims are scalped, stabbed in eye by Indians

Natives are still invisible

W.B. Franklin--a study in complexityWhen asked what he saw as the most difficult part of being a full-time Native American artist, Franklin's answer was surprising.

"Invisibility," Franklin quipped. "We're still invisible. It is a matter of continually having to prove yourself. People don't want to recognize you as a "real" artist. The hardest part about being a Native American artist is that I am continually expected to prove myself.More on the problems facing Natives:When asked did he believe that we as global citizens are at the end of the proverbial trail, Franklin answered thoughtfully.

"We are ending one trail and beginning a new one," Franklin said. "Native people are entering a different kind of Indian war. As I see it, the Indian Wars are not over. As Indian people, we are going to have to come out of the closet. We read about issues in the paper, and feel that they don't affect us, but they do."

Franklin said that one of the biggest problems facing Native Americans today is the loss of language and identity.

"The larger society is now dictating to us what we should be rather than us dictating to the world who we are," Franklin explained.

"As artists-writers, painters, songwriters-we have a certain responsibility to be true to ourselves and to our own identity and put this down as honestly as we can. Right now, a third party is dictating to us of what they want to see. I recently overheard someone's comment on one of my pieces that it wasn't 'Navajo enough.' As a Diné artist, whatever I perceive, whatever comes from my soul is still Diné."

Winnebago reaches big leagues

Yankees rookie turning heads

21-year-old Chamberlain making name for himself in New York bullpenChamberlain went 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA at three minor league stops this year, striking out 135 batters in 88 1-3 innings and holding batters to a .198 average.

He began the 2007 season at single-A Tampa before working his way to triple-A, where he was converted into a reliever. The bullpen is only a temporary stop. He’s eventually slated to anchor New York’s rotation with rookie Phil Hughes.Chamberlain's background:Chamberlain, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, didn’t start pitching until he was a senior in high school. He started his college career at Division II Nebraska-Kearney.

His father talked up his son to Cornhuskers coach Mike Anderson when he worked at Nebraska baseball games. Chamberlain transferred after his freshman year, and Anderson realized he had something special.

Explore Navajo Interactive Museum

New museum presents Navajo history, cultureThe museum is just north of the intersection of U.S. 160 and Arizona 264. It is in two parts. The main building resembles a cross between a traditional Navajo hogan and a geodesic dome, and covers about 7,000 square feet. Across the plaza, the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Museum occupies space in the rear of the Tuba City Trading Post.

Inside the main structure, visitors are exposed to a wide range of Navajo artifacts, traditions and beliefs. A log hogan sits in the center and placards explain that it's a female hogan, once a dwelling but now used primarily for ceremonies. Murals, photographs, television screens and written words surround the hogan and combine to explain the Navajo story. One area tells of the Long Walk, in which thousands of Navajos were forced off their land in the 1860s, then confined at Fort Sumner, N.M., for more than four years before they were allowed to return. A television near an exhibit of Navajo weaving explains why sheep are so important to the people.Comment:  We passed by this museum on our recent trip through Indian country. I hadn't heard of it before, so I thought it might be new.

From pottery to fashion design

A crossover star

Renowned as a potter, Virgil Ortiz finds growing success as a fashion designerOrtiz said he currently supports his fashion career with money from his pottery, but he ultimately hopes the clothing will become a moneymaker in its own right. He said his mother told him not to make too much money on the pottery because it is sacred.

Over the past four years, he’s begun to gain a following for his clothing. Every year at Indian Market, he presents a new, progressively slicker line of clothing.

In 2003, fashion designer Donna Karan printed Ortiz’s modern interpretations of traditional motifs such as wild spinach onto fabric that she made into dresses for her spring line.

Since then, Ortiz has been working with manufacturers to produce his edgy, embellished jeans, leather jackets, jewelry and limited-edition handbags.

Cosby dodges disenrollment issue

Controversy leads Cosby to cancel his showBill Cosby has canceled his Sept. 2 appearance at the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino because of a dispute between the casino and an outside group over the tribe's efforts to get rid of some members.

That group wrote a letter to Cosby to explain how it is upset with the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, owners of the Coarsegold casino, for removing people from its membership rolls.

"The letter was written to stop these performers from coming and supporting the tribes for doing what they are doing to the people," says Laura Wass, a Fresno-based American Indian activist who is a member of the group that sent the letter.

Wass says Cosby was not singled out for any particular reason. He is just the first of several performers scheduled to appear at Chukchansi who have been sent letters regarding the dispute.

Menchu given the heave-ho

Hotel mistakes Nobel laureate for bag ladyShe was wearing a Mayan dress, the traditional attire of indigenous people in central America, and the hotel's response was also traditional: throw her out.

Staff at Cancun's five-star Hotel Coral Beach appear to have assumed this was another street vendor or beggar, so without asking questions they ordered her to leave. Except the woman was Rigoberta Menchú, the Nobel peace prizewinner, Unesco goodwill ambassador, Guatemalan presidential candidate and figurehead for indigenous rights.

The attempted eviction, an example of discrimination against indigenous people common in central and south America, backfired when other guests recognised Ms Menchú and interceded on her behalf.

Addictions worker brings whiskey to rez

Feds probe case of native addictions worker charged with liquor offenceHealth Canada is deciding how to deal with an addictions worker on the Pauingassi First Nation who was charged several weeks ago with illegally transporting dozens of bottles of alcohol to the dry reserve.

The addictions worker, Nancy Keeper, admits she had 161 bottles of whisky with her when she was stopped by police, but told CBC News the liquor was for personal use, not for bootlegging or resale.

Keeper said she'd just returned from a baseball tournament in Ontario, and the liquor was for a celebration she was planning with 14 friends.

Pauingassi is a dry reserve; it is illegal to bring alcohol into the community.

COWBOYS & ALIENS, vol. 2

We get e-mail:Hey Rob,

My name is Rick Hershey, I'm the new artist on the second Cowboys & Aliens comic. We have a great team together and I recalled your comments and review and wanted to send a link your way to check it out. We have been doing our best to get rid of a lot of the stereotypes and horrible cliches found in the original and are focusing more on the characters, history, and cultures involved in the setting.

Anyway, here is a link to the comic so far, and I would love to hear your thoughts on it or anyone else you think would be interested.

Worlds at War Prelude

Thanks for your time.
Rick HersheyAn introduction to WORLDS AT WAR from the website:Well, the time has finally arrived for us to launch the new project from Platinum--Cowboys and Aliens: Worlds at War.

Worlds at War is a massive webcomic project that picks up directly where the first Cowboys and Aliens (http://www.drunkduck.com/CowboysAndAliens/) graphic novel left off. Zeke, Verity, and War Hawk (as well as several others who you will most certainly see more of) have just defeated the House of Dar. But, the story doesn't end there, as the other great Angaaran Houses are headed straight for Earth. It will be up to our heroes (and many new heroes from all around the world) to outwit the technologically superior Angaarans.

The first book, Prelude: A Call for Heroes, will be a series of various short stories, recapping the original graphic novel and introducing a variety of new characters that will play a major role in their various regions. Once the first book is wrapped up, we will delve much more deeply into each region being invaded (and to just give you a taste of what's to come, the Angaaran's will be invading countries from all around the world, such as Russia, Japan, and Africa, just to name a few, but those are down the line). We will be adding new comics to DrunkDuck nearly every day of the week (updates will be Monday through Saturday and will eventually expand to Sundays as well).Comment:  Judging by this excerpt, volume 2 of COWBOYS & ALIENS has taken a quantum leap forward in terms of portraying Indians authentically. It suggests the Apache are a people rich with culture, history, and religion--i.e., not savages who mindlessly attack wagon trains or dance around fires.

I don't know any of the Apache words or stories mentioned, so I checked. "Indii," the Apache name for themselves, seems reasonably accurate. As one website put it,Their name for themselves is N'de, Inde or Tinde ("the people").My one complaint is that the Apache generally didn't live in tipis. However, the easternmost branches of the people, the Plains Apache, did. As one website explainsThe Kiowa Apache Indians, a small group of Athabascan (Apachean)-speaking people, ranged the area of present southwestern Oklahoma and the Panhandle of Texas during the nineteenth century. Although their common name is derived from the erroneous belief that they were a detached band of Apaches from New Mexico and Arizona, their myths and oral history tell of a northern home, probably near the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, when they were an independent tribe with north and south divisions. They called themselves "Naishandina," which in their tongue meant "our people." While there is no clear account of the reasons why they migrated south, the fact that they were a small group among primarily hostile tribes caused them to become affiliated with the Kiowas for mutual protection; as far back as there is any record or knowledge, they have functioned as a band of the Kiowa tribe, though they speak a completely unrelated language. A few of the old Apache men usually learned a little Kiowan, but sign language was the primary means of communication between the Kiowa and its Apache band. Although many scholars lean toward the view that the Kiowa Apaches were linked with one of the Athabascan divisions, some speculate that they were originally eastern or Plains Apaches who became separated from their kinsmen when the Comanches first intruded into the southern Plains. Aside from linguistic differences, the Kiowa Apaches were practically indistinguishable from the Kiowa proper. They were buffalo-hunting, tepee-dwelling, horse and travois nomads, with soldier societies and medicine bundles (four).COWBOYS & ALIENS' Apaches could be these Apaches...except these Apaches didn't call themselves "Inde" or "Indii." So we have an apparent mistake here.

Other than that, the new volume looks good. I may have to check it out.

Codetalkers at NMAI

Code talkers' contributions honored in national museum exhibitNavajo, Comanche, Hopi and Meskwaki Marines developed actual Native codes in World War II that helped the Allied command coordinate troop movements, direct artillery, request bombardment from ships, call in air cover from Navy carriers and stay updated on battlefield action. Navajo code--in heavy use throughout the Pacific theater of the war, with two code talkers assigned to every battalion in the Pacific--was never broken. The original 211-word vocabulary of Navajo code tripled over the course of the war, reflecting expanded use of the code.

The more than 400 code talkers had to invent their codes, following the example of a 29-man Navajo pilot group gathered at Fort Wingate, N.M., in May 1942. The Native language formed the basis of the code, but the code was not a language unto itself. It was a series of coinages that conveyed English meaning in words appropriated from a Native tongue. Navajo atsa, meaning eagle, meant "transport plane" in Navajo code. Comanche hutsuu no avakaty, meaning pregnant bird, meant "bomber" in Comanche code. Hopi paaki, or houses on water, meant "ships" in Hopi code. And Choctaw tuli tanampo chito shali meant carrier of big metal gun--a tank--during World War I.

The concept of Native code got its start in 1918 in northern France, when an officer overheard enlisted men Solomon Louis and Mitchell Bob speaking an unknown language--Choctaw. "A corps of eight fluent Choctaw speakers became the first American Indians to use their Native language to send secret messages in modern warfare," according to the exhibit.

After Pearl Harbor, the Marine Corps came up with the idea of refining Native languages into codes. Many Native speakers, including Lakota, Dakota, Crow, Choctaw, Menominee, Seminole, Chippewa, Oneida, Kiowa, Pawnee, Cherokee, Cree, Assiniboine and others used their Native languages for battlefield communications. Each Native language functioned as an indecipherable code, and each speaker conveyed secret information. But the exhibit maintains that full-fledged Native code developed only from the Navajo, Comanche, Hopi and Meskwaki languages.

Artists vs. gallery on MySpace

American Indian artist takes gallery dispute onlineA common business dispute became a mini online cause cèlébre recently when an American Indian artist used his MySpace.com account to complain to friends (more than 600 of them) that a Santa Fe gallery had stiffed him for money owed from the sale of paintings.

Micah Wesley, who describes his work as pop surrealism, was expecting a check for $425 from the Gary Farmer Gallery of Contemporary Art, 131 W. San Francisco St., sometime in June.

The payment was for sales of artwork—paintings on vinyl records—during and after a show of his work in April.

Wesley said he made a trip to New Mexico from Texas to confront the gallery director, Deborah Lamal, but the business was closed. Lamal finally sent him a check, but it bounced. He hopes to be paid while he is in Santa Fe this weekend for Indian Market.

Payment disputes between art galleries and artists are not uncommon in Santa Fe, but what makes Wesley’s unusual is his use of the Internet.

Wesley said he posted the warning about the gallery on his MySpace home page because some of his friends had upcoming shows at the gallery, which specializes in Native American art.

“I’m not trying to do anything bad,” he explained.

Wesley got a “huge response” from the posting, he said. “Other artists said they had been wronged, too. It was amazing. I thought I was the only one.”

Tight end holds football camps

Eagle sighting

Former NFL player Lewis instructs Zuni youthLewis works for the American Indian Services, which raises money for college scholarships for Native Americans to continue their education. He said he has been working with the association for close to 10 years, and it is an organization that has received help from other former NFL players like Steve Young.

For more than 10 years now, Lewis has been putting on camps across the country on reservations, with several of the camps in Arizona and New Mexico. The most recent camp was the first he has put on in Zuni, though he has been to the town for a youth conference two years ago. For one day, about 60 athletes that attended the free camp, including three girls, got a chance to get advice from a former pro tight end on different drills to run and plays to try.

Navajos love Elvis

The King still reigns in Navajo NationElvis is popular in the Navajo Nation. Perhaps, it’s because he played a Navajo rodeo star, Joe Lightcloud, in the movie “Stay Away, Joe?”

Several entertainers claim the crown as the “Navajo Elvis.”

In addition to Bilagody, there’s Rex Redhair and Will Foster, who bills himself as “Hosteen Dine Elvis.”

“I like to imagine what it would be like if Elvis was Navajo,” Foster, of Tuba City, said. He might sing “Hound Dog” in Navajo, or pretend to be Elvis at a squaw dance, he said.

Every Indian a criminal on CSI

I finally saw the "Bloodline" episode of CSI: Miami. I reported on it briefly before, but it was much worse than I thought. Read here for its most egregious flaws.

Shirley laughs at D.C. Navajo

Film spoof causes stir on Navajo NationThe office of the president denies Shirley even saw the movie before the scheduled meeting Sunday. It claims De La Rosa's news release is a ploy to draw more attention to the film. Posted on Aug. 6, the film already has received nearly 2,000 hits.

According to Shirley spokesman George Hardeen, the president viewed the movie after hearing of the controversy. He watched it for the first time Tuesday evening, Hardeen said.

"His reaction was that he laughed," Hardeen said of Shirley. "This is a president who keeps an editorial cartoon of himself on the office wall. This kind of thing doesn't bother him."

Shirley, who asked Hardeen to handle the controversy, issued one statement about the movie: "If you can't take satire, stay out of politics."

Hardeen said an employee from the president's office may have talked to Kayenta officials about the movie, but that employee does not represent the president and was expressing his own opinion. Hardeen said Shirley never planned to attend the Kayenta Township meeting. Instead, Executive Staff Assistant Clinton Jim went to moderate discussion between township employees and chapter members.Comment:  Hmm. Perhaps De La Rosa misunderstood Shirley's reaction to his film. Or perhaps Shirley is spinning his views to avoid political fallout.

The Gallup Independent article on the situation provides more information. Apparently De La Rosa is communicating with the Kayenta officials, who are communicating with Andre Cordero of the tribe's human resources department, who is communicating with the president's office. Someone in this chain of communication is misinterpreting or misrepresenting someone else's views.

In any case, if Shirley or someone in his administration reacted as De La Rosa described it, I'd say it was an overreaction.

Notah touts Turning Stone tournament

Begay works so others may play

Turning Stone's ambassador spreading word about tourneyNotah Begay III is the official ambassador for the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

He takes the work seriously.

Whether praising Turning Stone's Atunyote Golf Course, chatting up members of the press, teeing off for some of them during Wednesday's media day outing, or persuading his fellow PGA Tour pros to make a stop in Central New York, he goes after everything with great enthusiasm.

"This event, the tournament staff, the tribe ... they're doing everything they can to make this a marquee event," he said. "Every new event has to start someplace, and this is certainly a great start."

The Oneida Indian Nation's brand new golf tournament is part of the PGA Tour's new fall series. It has a purse of $6 million and will pay $1,080,000 to the winner.

Indians as rabbits

Instead of Virginia Grossman's Ten Little Rabbits, read Michael Kusugak's My Arctic, 1, 2, 3[I]t shouldn’t be necessary to tell people that counting rabbits dressed as Indians is no different from counting Indians. It objectifies people. Same faces, different blankets. As Teresa L. McCarty writes,

The book’s implicit suggestion that children will learn to “count by diminutive-ethnic-group characters” is perverse and patently racist. That the author and the illustrator appear completely unconscious of this and choose to portray their characters as “cute” little animals reveals an especially insidious and societally acceptable form of racism. It is difficult to believe any writer, illustrator, or publisher today would accept or promote equivalent portrayals, for instance, of American Jews or African Americans. [1]
There are some who would ask, “but are the pictures authentic?” They’re neither authentic nor accurate. There’s no cultural relevance, no connection between each illustration and a people’s way of being in world. Even if the pictures were not contrived, the impact of this book—“rabbits as Indians”—on impressionable little kids is what makes it toxic.(Excerpted from Debbie Reese's American Indians in Children's Literature, 8/15/07.)

More on the German powwow ripoff

Kommen die Indianer wieder?“He always has some lame excuse for not paying, a mother of one of the participant’s, died.” My contact said over the phone. “He used him, as an excuse of sending him back to the States. Said he had to use lots of money to get him back. What nerve!”

“He might as well as have said that it was heap big wampum!” I joked.

“No doubt.” She laughs. “I know he’s paying his own German people, but he’s not paying the Native Americans here. And we are the main attraction.”

Apache/Lakota/Maya "shaman"

Apache "shaman" claims Lakota initiation, teaches prophecies

Geronimo the criminal

Gallup bar displays "Wanted" poster with Geronimo shackled

From spec scripts to finished films

Aspiring filmmakers produce works at summer workshopOn July 27, an audience of mostly American Indian moviegoers gathered in the auditorium at the Institute of American Indian Arts to screen a number of short films written, directed and created by young Native filmmakers as part of the fourth annual Summer Television and Film Workshop. Eight short films were screened on stories whose genres ranged from a Western to a futuristic sci-fi world. Comedies and dramas, as well as period pieces, were created by this year's filmmakers.

"I was really impressed with the talent and the stories created this summer," said Ish Antar, Gros Ventre and an audience member, former student and actor in one of the evening's shorts.

IAIA, in collaboration with Disney-ABC Television Group Talent Development Programs and the Walt Disney Studio, presented the six-week workshop.

The 2007 summer workshop program offered two tracks: the filmmaking/production track, which focused on directing, screenwriting, production and acting; and the writer's track, a new addition to this year's program, in which the students focused on writing television spec scripts.

Dr. Behn, Medicine Woman

Aboriginal physician travels world to study shamans, healers for new TV seriesBattling stomach cramps and diarrhea, Behn Smith had been ducking out every few minutes to relieve herself as the camera crew filmed the latest ceremony. Now the healer was going around the circle, from person to person, and Behn Smith grew afraid as her turn approached.

"He came up to me and did his singing and dancing around me and put his hand on my chest," she said in an interview from her home in Dawson City, Yukon, where she now has a family practice.

"From that moment forward, my stomach was fine. Everything was fine. My body was completely healed."

It was just one of several life-changing experiences for Behn Smith, a member of the Eh-Cho Dene, as she travelled to 10 countries and several continents--from the fringe of the Arctic Circle to the jungles of Asia and the grasslands of Africa--to learn about traditional healing.Comment:  To learn more about Medicine Woman, visit the show's official website.

Sacagawea out, presidents in

Dollar coins provide history lesson, break from the billThe Jefferson dollar follows the Washington coin, which was introduced in February, and the John Adams coin, introduced in May. The coin honoring James Madison will go into circulation in November, and four more of the nation's presidents will be honored every year in the order they served in the White House.

By having a rotating design on the new dollar coins, the Mint is hoping to keep interest high and avoid the famous flops of two previous dollar coins--the Susan B. Anthony, introduced in 1979, and the Sacagawea, introduced in 2000.

The presidential coins are the same size as the Sacagawea, slightly larger than a quarter, and also golden in color.

Skeptics, however, believe they will suffer the same fate as the Sacagawea unless the government decides to get rid of the $1 bill, something that Congress has strongly opposed.

"Amazing Grace" = Cherokee hymn

Most Famous Christian Song Written By Slave Trader“Amazing Grace” experienced a completely unexpected incarnation with the Indian Cherokee tribe during their “Trail of Tears”. The Cherokee tribe was forced to move to reservations in 1838 and during this journey, about 10,000 people lost their lives due to hunger, disease and inhumane conditions. The tribe remembers this period as the Trail of Tears.

Due to a large number of deceased people or lack of time during their journey, they could not burry their dead with dignity, so the Cherokee tribe had to be satisfied with singing their version of “Amazing Grace” over the deceased.

Long after the “Trail of Tears”, the song remained popular with the tribe and today is considered to be the informal Cherokee hymn. It was sung by many Indian artists.

League of indigenous nations

Colville tribes sign multinational treatyThe Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has joined 10 other indigenous peoples from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States in signing a historic treaty forming the United League of Indigenous Nations.

The treaty, agreed to earlier this month at a meeting at the Lummi Nation near Bellingham, establishes an international alliance of indigenous peoples to promote common environmental, economic and cultural interests.

The signatories, all of whom had their tribes’ authority to approve the treaty, immediately called for every indigenous nation in North America and the South Pacific to join the league at a treaty ratification meeting Nov. 15 in Denver. Representatives from about 40 other indigenous nations signed the document as witnesses, pending approval of their governing bodies.

Same old stereotypes in Suite Life

Zack and Cody dress as Plains Indians for Boston Tea Party

Navajos try to censor satire?

Joe Shirley Reacts to "D.C. Navajo"On Friday August 10, 2007; apparently the comedy short film "D.C. Navajo" reached the eyes of Joe Shirley. Needless to say, the film upset him. Joe Shirley sent one of his assistants (Andre Cordero) to the Kayenta Township (where I work) to inform my supervisors of what some of the Township employess were doing. He stated that some employees of the Township were making a mockery of the Navajo Nation and that the Township needed to address and take care of this issue. He also indirectly stated that the township needed to reprimand and/or terminate us. Andre also stated that Joe Shirley cancelled the Sunday public meeting in Kayenta because of this issue. The meeting was in regards to Kayenta Township issues and the community of Kayenta.

Canceling this meeting in my opinion was direct punishment to the Kayenta Township for something the Township had nothing to with. Nor did the Kayenta Township have any control over it. We (Jarvis Williams and I, both Township employees) did this film on our own time, not on work time.

The film deals with a corrupt tribal official in the Washington D.C. Navajo Nation Office who accepts kick backs, discarding important mail in to the trash can and giving the run around to a consultant trying to get paid for services rendered to the Navajo Nation D.C. office. The film was produced as a comedy and was not to be taken seriously.

Canada's newest aboriginal homeland

Inuit poised to gain control of large territory in QuebecA vast swath of mineral-rich land in northern Quebec is en route to become a self-governed region run by the province's 11,000 Inuit, officials said Monday.

The territory, representing about one-third of Quebec's land, would have the power to collect its own taxes, make its own laws and run its own services, including its own hospitals, schools, child services and airports.

Virginia Tech = worst US massacre?

Virginia Tech shooting was worse than massacres of Indians

Indians were underachieving immigrants

Verdun:  Native "immigrants" merely existed, had no farming

Mohegan Sun in red scare

Anti-gaming ad shows red stain spreading across the country

Kroebers consider Ishi

Revisiting Ishi

Questions about discovery of the 'last wild Indian' haunt anthropologist's descendants.In the 92 years since the so-called last wild Indian was found cowering in an Oroville slaughterhouse, Alfred Kroeber's descendants have resisted speaking for him. After all, by what right does a privileged California clan represent a persecuted Indian simply because their father was the anthropologist who studied him and their mother, Theodora Kroeber, wrote a book that made him famous?

But that logic hasn't stopped people from quizzing the pair's sons, Karl and Clifton Kroeber. Their daughter, Ursula K. Le Guin, also deflects questions about Ishi that come up at readings of her bestselling science fiction books. Fellow police officers sometimes ask LAPD Capt. Scott Kroeber, Clifton's son, about the Native American once called "the wild man of Mt. Lassen."But recently the Kroebers changed their minds:Four years ago, when Duke University researcher Orin Starn discovered that Alfred Kroeber had sent Ishi's brain to the Smithsonian Institution against the man's wishes, the Kroebers were again called on for comment. And as the issue escalated, working its way to the California Legislature, the Kroeber brothers were asked to edit a new anthology, a book that would get closer to the truth of Ishi and his relationship with Alfred Kroeber, who died in 1960.

This time, they agreed. "Ishi in Three Centuries" (University of Nebraska Press), released this summer, was the result.

"In a sense, this was a family obligation," says Le Guin, who lives in Portland. "Ishi is not a mystique or a fascination with our family. But when he became a hot topic again a few years ago, my brothers picked up the football. I think they felt obliged to."Comment:  Clifton Kroeber was one of my history professors at Occidental College. That means I'm one degree of separation from an Ishi scholar, two degrees of separation from the Ishi scholar (Alfred Kroeber), and three degrees of separation from Ishi himself.

Colvilles sponsor Suicide Race

The Race Where Horses Die

A Washington town's 70-year-old tradition persists, drawing devoted fans--and the critics who want to shut it downFor more than 70 years, cowboys and Indians have gathered here in the rolling sagebrush hills of central Washington every August for the annual Omak Stampede and the rodeo's biggest draw, the Suicide Race. In four races over four days that began Thursday, 15 riders simultaneously sprint their horses at full gallop down the hill and across the river to a rodeo arena. The first three races are run at night with floodlights to light the hill. In Thursday night's race, one rider was thrown from his mount as the horses barreled down the hill; the horse finished the race riderless.

To the Colville Confederated Tribes, whose 1.4 million-acre reservation borders Omak, the annual race is a tradition that extends back to the tribe's days as horse warriors in the Wild West. To animal-rights groups, though, it is a banner example of animal cruelty that has no place in modern society.What the Colvilles believe:The Omak Suicide Race manages to hold on because of tradition and also the economic boost it delivers for the city. The fact that the Colville Tribes claim the horse race as a link to their Indian heritage adds an extra dimension to the debate.

John Sirois, a cultural-preservation administrator for the tribes, says the race is spiritual. Many riders pray in sweat lodges to prepare for their races and adorn their horses with sacred eagle feathers. The competition is the ultimate demonstration of the rider's ability to become one with the horse, he says.

Treaties trump sovereignty

Tribe can change constitution, not freedmen treaty, BIA saysThe head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs endorsed the Cherokee Nation's right to amend its constitution without federal approval, but he made it clear Friday that the action does nothing to alter the tribal membership of freedmen descendants.

"By approving this constitutional amendment, it doesn't change the freedmen's status," Carl Artman said. "The 1866 treaty between the United States and the Cherokee Nation affirms their rights.

"Until the treaty of 1866 is abrogated, the freedmen will remain members of the tribe."

Making his comments during an interview, Artman said his agency would consider taking the Cherokee Nation to court to enforce that treaty if the tribe once again moved to expel certain descendants of former slaves from its membership rolls.

"I am not sure that court action is the way to go," he said. "We would look at all of our options."

Artman's Aug. 9 letter to the tribe, which announced his approval of the constitutional change taking the federal government out of its amendment process and his comments about that decision, stressed that the tribe still must follow the law.

"In approving the amendment, it affirmed tribal sovereignty," Artman said, adding that tribal sovereignty, just like the sovereignty of the federal government or a state government, can be limited by a constitution.

"It can also be limited by treaties, and in this case, sovereignty is limited, guided by the 1866 treaty," he said.

Dems ignore Indians

Prez Avoids the Rez[Y]ou would think given the last presidential election came down to several hundred votes, that anyone would be worth campaigning, especially a segment of society which is growing in political clout and clearly an untapped source of new voters. That is apparently of little or no consequence to some candidates running for the democratic presidential nod. Senator Hillary Clinton has so far dismissed any attempt to meet with Indian leaders or to seek their vote. Oh, she has repeated the very process that Indians want to see go away; don’t campaign in Indian country, just put some Indian on an obscure committee. That is not seeking our vote and it does nothing to rev up the vote in Indian country.

Clearly Senator Barack Obama as a man of color would understand the unique needs of Indian people need to be addressed with a personal visit. But, it appears so far, he is just going to ignore the Indian vote all together. Barack has come up with no Indian position or any effort to reach out to the Native community. His campaign strategy is a mystery. It is a little to the middle of the road; and you won’t find Native Americans in the middle of the political road, they remain on the fringe. To gather the Indian vote you have to go off the road and visit with leaders who aren’t on any big donor list or where your usual stump speech will work. You have to develop an Indian position. Maybe Barack doesn’t know what he would tell the Indian voter yet.

Native genealogy online

Native American searches made easier with NativeWebTracing Native American ancestry can present special challenges for family historians seeking their elusive tribal ancestors. One of the most useful online resources for those researching family ties to North America's indigenous peoples is NativeWeb (www.nativeweb.org).

Launched in 1994, this unique site was originally conceived as a global listserv known as NativeNet. Eventually, a small group of native and non-native academics and technology professionals established NativeWeb as a separate online entity, with the goal of providing a "cyber-place for Earth's indigenous peoples."

The site's international scope and content have gradually grown along with its group of collective webmasters. NativeWeb currently features more than 2,000 links to resources for indigenous cultures throughout the world.

Tulalips' top-10 Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart likes its store in TulalipIt's the Wal-Mart rumor that won't die, no matter how often it's knocked down.

Jennifer Holder, the retailer's local spokeswoman, hears it often, as do local planning officials.

The rumor? That once Wal-Mart opens its new stores in Arlington and Marysville, it will close its highly successful location on the Tulalip Indian Reservation.

No matter that the store is one of the 10 most successful Wal-Mart locations in the nation, based on sales. Or that it was one of the original anchors for the tribe's Quil Ceda Village retail center along I-5. Or that it is always busy and was expanded into a supercenter just three years ago.

Codetalkers get a holiday

Navajo Nation to celebrate Code Talkers DayThe Navajo Nation will celebrate Code Talkers Day as a tribal holiday for the first time Tuesday.

"There are a lot of people on the reservation, and a lot of people off the (Navajo) Nation that want an opportunity to honor the Code Talkers in their own way," said Michael Smith, clerk at the Navajo Nation Supreme Court and the Window Rock liaison for the National Code Talkers Association.

"This day provides an opportunity for people to step forward and honor these men," said Smith, whose father, Samuel Jesse Smith, was a Code Talker.

Review of The Spirit Woman

The Spirit WomanFrom Library Journal

The wary attraction between Father John O'Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden reignites when the two team up to unravel a mystery involving the famous Native American heroine Sacajawea (The Lost Bird). Twenty years earlier, the Wind River Reservation was the site of Sacajawea researcher Charlotte Allen's disappearance. Now, Father John's dog has unearthed what might be the young historian's remains, while Vicky's college friend Laura Simmons surfaces, seeking the elusive and historically significant Sacajawea memoirs alluded to in Allen's journal. When Laura herself disappears, leaving behind disturbing clues at her rooming house, Vicky and Father John fear for the safety of anyone who gets in the killer's path. Meanwhile, Father John wrestles with resigning himself to a mandatory transfer off the reservation he has grown to love. Intriguing Arapaho and Shoshone history and realistic treatment of contemporary Native American issues make this cozy sixth installment in the series a winner.

Vicky and Father John on a cold case, April 20, 2007
By S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada)

This book actually has three mysteries intertwined in the story. First is the 20 year old skeleton that Father John finds buried at the mission. Second is the age-old mystery of what actually happened to the Indian scout Sacajawea, and third the disappearance of Vicky's friend who goes missing while she is researching Sacajawea on the Windy Hills Reservation. I love the tales about Sacajawea, so was anxious to read this book. I did find the mystery a little predictable, but as always, I really enjoy Father John and Vicky, and I also enjoy all the wonderful Indian lore that is placed throughout each book.

Save For A Rainy Day, August 24, 2001
By Carol Bardelli and Jerry Bardelli (Silver Springs, NV USA)

A rambler with historical overtones, The Spirit Woman is set on a Wyoming Indian reservation peopled with vaguely familiar and rather sedate characters that leave a reader wondering whose cookie cutter Margaret Coel borrowed to cut them out. No genuine surprises in plot or character come to the reader's rescue to convince you these are real people with real problems. The book has the feel of a formula mystery, just well crafted enough to be mildly entertaining, yet hindered by the writer's unwillingness to get off the fence and pull out all the punches. The plot is a little too respectable, plodding through correct mental, social and historical territory as if the author is afraid to offend. You'll find no flamboyant, action driven main characters like Stephanie Plum or Kinsey Millhone here. Main characters Father O'Mally, a recovering alcoholic, and Vicky Holden, a divorced Arapahoe lawyer, are likeable enough, but come across as humorless and powerless. Their progress through the book is chiefly emotion driven and interesting at times. But the characters lack the necessary appeal of flesh and blood people and the plot has few twists or unpredictable events that could have elevated this novel into a superior read. The book's strong point is the setting, the landscape and weather managing to steal the show. Reminiscent in the style and pace of an English cozy mystery that's been transplanted to the modern American west, it should be a moderately satisfying read for Tony Hillerman and Agatha Christie buffs alike. But fans of fast paced suspense by the likes of Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich and Elmore Leonard may find The Spirit Woman tedious at best. Good enough for a Rainy Day, but if it falls out of your beach bag you probably won't mourn the loss.Rob's review:  As usual, the comments I've chosen sum up what I consider the book's strengths and weaknesses. An English "cozy" transplanted to the rez was my take on it too.

I guessed the villain of the story as soon as he appeared. That isn't always a problem, but in this case the protagonists and police seemed slow on the uptake. They didn't realize the crimes were connected until almost the end. Real detectives (e.g., Joe Leaphorn or Harry Bosch) repeat the mantra that there are no coincidences.

I've read one other mystery by Margaret Coel: The Ghost Walker. It was okay but nothing special. I gave it a 7.0 of 10. I've already forgotten what it was about.

The Spirit Woman initially has an edge. It sets up three storylines that you think will pay off big:

Vicki Holden, Laura Simmons, and an Arapaho woman are in abusive relationships just like Sacagawea was. Who will get beaten (or killed)? Who will stand by her man or leave?

Father John is being transferred. Of course he'll end up staying, but how?

The unspoken love between Father John and Vicki seems to be reaching a boil. Will something happen before they run out of time?

Unfortunately, these storylines end with a whimper, not a bang. There are no real fireworks or shocking surprises. Much of the book is spent looking for people who are off-stage: the mysterious Toussaint, then Laura, then Vicki. Even when the villain reveals himself and threatens to kill people, you aren't worried about the outcome.

Although the payoff wasn't as good as I hoped, The Spirit Woman is better than its predecessor and much better than Tony Hillerman's The Sinister Pig. Rob's rating: 7.5 of 10.

Ishi in Archery Hall of Fame

Tribesman altered archeryNext month, two people will be inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mo. One is Dr. David Samuel, who has a long history in the sport of archery and is featured on this page.

The other, called Ishi, was the last living member of the Yahi Indian tribe. He had quite a history, too.

As the last member of the Yahi tribe, which was the last tribe of the Yana people of California, Ishi lived a completely Native American lifestyle.

Ishi is the word for man in the Yahi dialect and, because it was taboo in Yahi society to say one’s name, Ishi’s real name was never known. And because he was the last of his tribe, his real name died with him in 1916.Why exactly is Ishi being inducted?Legendary archer Pope would probably never had the impact on the sport of archery if he never met Ishi. Therefore, it’s argued, archery wouldn’t likely be what it is today without Ishi.

Dr. Pope learned the Indian method of bow making and went on hunting excursions in the surrounding country with Ishi. On these expeditions, Ishi provided valuable lessons to Dr. Pope in this new system of acquiring game.

“We shot rabbits, quail and squirrels with the bow,” Pope said. “His methods here were not so well defined as in the approach to larger game, but I was struck from the first by his noiseless step, his slow movement, his use of cover.”

This careful approach to bowhunting and his influence on very active archers, such as Pope, earned Ishi a nomination to the hall of fame.

Newspapers helped create stereotypes

The Newspaper Indian: Native American Identity in the Press, 1820-1890 John M. Coward's The Newspaper Indian: Native American Identity in the Press, 1820-90 is a strong contribution to research engaging the complexities resulting from the nineteenth century newspaper accounts of American Indians. Through some very solid content analysis of historical American-based newspapers, this [End Page 672] book identifies just how the American press created nineteenth and twentieth century perceptions of American Indians. Coward carefully examines factual events involving American Indians and the subsequent newspaper reports or stories of these same events. The result is a lucid analysis of why perceptions of American Indians by the American public and the American press even to this day are biased, unbalanced, and unclear.

The book begins with a valuable introduction by the author that sets the tone for discovery in later chapters. Here he addresses Horace Greely in 1859, as the then-noted editor of the New York Tribune newspaper decides to go West. Greely, who had spent most of his life in the East and had never been West, delivered a strong perspective on American Indian people that was heavily influenced by a strong belief in the Bible and in American Christianity. Greely's perspective was that American Indians were uncivilized, had no work ethic, and were examples of the "lowest and rudest ages of human existence." He also believed that the more Christian American Indians became, the more civilized America would become. The significance of this perspective is that a very large mass audience in the East was anxiously waiting for Greely to write of his traveling experiences and first contact with American Indians as he headed West on this, his first excursion.

Native children left behind

Tribes say No Child Left Behind leaves no room for culture“I’ve come across nothing that would enable me to be a proponent of the act,” said James Mountain, governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo.

Mountain said he’s heard from teachers in the Pojoaque school district, where many San Ildefonso pupils attend classes, that the act does not take into account cultural differences and has forced schools to focus strictly on English, leaving no room for native languages. “Once we lose our language, we lose our culture,” Mountain said.

Maggie Benally, principal of the Navajo Immersion School in Fort Defiance, Ariz., said her school is an example of what can happen when schools use native language as a tool. Pupils in grades K-2 there learn only in the Diné language and switch gradually to an English-language curriculum after that.

The school has made adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind for the past three years, Benally said. “Language and culture have a positive effect on student achievement,” she said.

Savage Indians on CSI: Miami

CSI: Miami:  Victims are scalped, stabbed in eye by Indians

Prepared for terrorist Indians

Canadian manual:  "Radical" Native organizations = insurgents

Review of LAST OF THE MOHICANS #1

Last of the Mohicans 1

Review by Dan HeadThere aren’t nearly enough comics on the market today by writer Roy Thomas. I don’t know if that’s because Thomas chooses not to work all that much anymore or if some genius at the Big Two thinks he’s no longer fashionable, but either way, I miss his work. I came late to his work. I discovered it only recently via Dark Horse’s reprints on the old Conan series from Marvel, but I’ve become a big fan, and I bought this book solely because I saw Thomas’s name on the cover. And yet in a larger sense I’ve gotta say that it’s way past time that Marvel did a treatment of this story. The company owes so much of what it is today to James Fennimore Cooper’s idea of the lonely ranger who exists outside of society even as he protects that same society from the evils of others on who also exist on the outside. In many ways, I think Last of the Mohicans is the original superhero story, and as such it only makes sense that the industry leader should be the one to tackle the subject matter.

Our story opens during the French and Indian War. The blue blood daughters of an English Officer have come out to the frontier for a visit just as French troops arrive along with a tribe of Huron reinforcements. But the girls will not be dissuaded from visiting their father at Fort William Henry despite the dangers of the road, and so they set out alone along with their protector, Major Heyward, and an untrustworthy indian guide named Magua. Luckily for them, the white ranger Natty Bumpo and his trustworthy Mohican Indian friends arrive just in the nick of time to save them from a Huron ambush. And then things get interesting.

Fennimore Cooper’s story isn’t the most historically accurate piece of fiction in the history of American literature, but I like it because although it gets some basic facts wrong about the Indians in question, it sticks close to reality when concerned with the life and skills a frontiersman might have needed to stay alive in what was quite literally Indian country. In the book, Bumpo and company spend a lot of time moving quietly and leaving tracks that no human tracker could follow. This adaptation succeeds because Thomas has found a way to keep that part of Cooper’s vision intact even as he ups the visual spectacle of the comic over and above what was represented in the original prose story. I also liked the fact that Thomas kept as much of the original dialogue as possible. It must have been some feat of research to decide what to leave in, what to cut, and what to attempt to abridge. I’ve read the original several times and couldn’t spot any places where the abridgement was overt and noticeable.Rob's review:  I don't disagree with any of Head's points, but I didn't find LAST OF THE MOHICANS #1 compelling. Maybe the problem is the source: an overrated "classic" with a difficult plot and stilted dialog.

I hope kids will pick up the comics (or the trade paperback) at the library and be inspired to read. But I'd recommend spending $5 or whatever on the novel rather than $18 on the comics.

Skinwalkers bites the big one

Review:  SkinwalkersTwo movie storylines that must fight the temptation to include stilted dialogue are the werewolf picture and the Native American tale. Skinwalkers is a rare hybrid featuring Native Americans who turn into werewolves, and seems to have given up from the get-go at any attempt to portray naturalistic speech. “Not in this lifetime,” is a typical comeback when one character makes unreasonable demands on another. “They are going to torture her,” another remarks, adding helpfully, “mercilessly.” Also, no one uses contractions.

The title invites confusion with John Woo’s Windtalkers, which also features First Nations people, albeit without the shapeshifting. But it’s closer in tone to Pathfinder, the recent film about a lone wolf (not a werewolf) fighting a Viking incursion on North American soil some 800 years ago. This one is set in the present day, and imagines a subset of natives who periodically turn into slavering beasts. Some of them are good werewolves, and dutifully strap themselves down each full moon so they don’t hurt anyone. Others—let’s call them misanthropic lycanthropes—have developed a taste for human blood and enjoy their monthly hunting.Jason Behr Talks About the Horror/Thriller Skinwalkers

Skinwalkers is based on Navajo legends. How does that set it apart from other werewolf movies?“Well most of the werewolf stories and mythologies that we’ve seen before in cinema are Eastern European werewolves, and this is based on Native American folklore. The Navajo Skinwalker is said to be able to take the pelt of an animal, the skin of any animal, and put it on and become that animal--be it a bear, or a hawk, or deer, or the wolf. And I think that was the impetus for the writers to create an extended mythology on what it would be like for one of these people who would put on this wolf skin to become addicted to that power, and to that freedom. That was sort of like the genesis of this mythology.”Skinwalkers (2007)

A Werewolf War in Need of a Silver BulletEverything hinges on a 12-year-old asthmatic named Timothy (Matthew Knight), a “half-blood” whose human single mother, Rachel (Rhona Mitra), clearly hit the jackpot for unhealthy relationship choices. Should Timothy survive his 13th birthday—well, the writers aren’t quite sure, but it could be bad. Or perhaps not.

Yawningly directed by Jim Isaac, “Skinwalkers” is a slavering mess that buries its clunky addiction metaphor beneath a welter of genre clichés, all delivered in extra-slow motion. Surpassingly ugly—every frame appears to have been marinated in ditch water, then dragged through a thicket—and with a soundtrack that suggests feeding time at the pound, the movie strains for terror and achieves only confusion.

Treuer stands for tradition

Lyons:  Battle of the bookwormsTreuer's "Native American Fiction" makes the provocative suggestion that what we call Native literature--always published in English by non-Indian presses and mostly read by non-Natives--doesn't represent Native culture so much as a "longing" for a culture found in the realms of heritage language and ceremony. "With Native American cultures and Native languages imperiled," reading books as culture dangerously misses the existence of--and threats to--traditional cultures today. Books by Indian writers are "literature" in a universal sense, and often as good as anyone else's literature, but not the same thing as the culture of speakers and elders who (unlike novelists) usually keep their cultures secret in large part to protect them from commodification. Treuer thinks the sexy notion of Native culture helps to sell books, including presumably his own, but ironically prevents readers from seeing the aesthetic values of Native lit. It creates an ethnic literary ghetto where an "Ojibwe writer" is seen as more Ojibwe than writer; meanwhile Ojibwe language fluency is on the skids and traditional knowledge fades into oblivion.

Matthew L.M. Fletcher ("'Native American Fiction' Too Hard on Indian Culture," Vol. 27, Iss. 9) thinks "Treuer goes way too far" and compares his argument to "non-Indian policy-makers" who think Indians shouldn't have slot machines because they're not traditional either. But of course it hasn't only been non-Indians who have disavowed gaming by that logic; and I'm quite certain that Fletcher knows elders at Grand Traverse who repeat the mantra, "You can't think like an Ojibwe without Ojibwemowin," an idea that undergirds Treuer's argument. Treuer's denial of cultural authenticity to literature in English, no matter what the identity of the writer, is logically in sync with cranky elders who refuse to validate English-language Indian names or ceremonies conducted for cash. In other words, this is about cultural authority, and Treuer is on the side of traditionalists who draw hard and fast lines between authenticity and, well, assimilation.

Dueling monuments in Black Hills

Faceoff:  Mt. Rushmore vs. Crazy Horse MemorialDuring the next 34 years, Ziolkowski blasted millions of tons of granite off the mountain, took the former Ruth Ross of Connecticut as his second wife, fathered 10 children with her, grew a mountain-man beard, took private commissions in winter to pay some bills and set up a dairy farm and sawmill nearby to pay others. He also endured four spinal operations, heart bypass surgery and more broken bones than anyone dared count. (A spokesman says the Ziolkowski family also hasn't counted how much money has gone into the project.)

After his death, he was buried in a tomb at the foot of the mountain, and Ruth Ziolkowski took the reins of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.

Now, all around the 1,500-square-foot cabin where the family first set up residence--and where Ruth, 81, still lives--an 80-room, 40,000-square foot Welcome Center sprawls. Visitors will find a studio, a museum, a gift shop, a sit-down restaurant that operates in summer months, an Indian cultural center where jewelry makers and other artisans sell work and a fleet of buses running up and down the wide gravel road to Thunderhead Mountain. Since 2005, a laser show has played on summer nights as well.

The university and medical center haven't materialized yet, but the organization does grant scholarships to Native American students, about $113,000 last year. Although some Lakota say they resent this use of their ancestral lands as much as they resent Mt. Rushmore, author Ian Frazier has noted in his book "Great Plains" that Crazy Horse "is the one place on the Plains where I saw lots of Indians smiling." I saw them too.

America named for right guy

God Bless AmerigoIt’s one of the stranger quirks of history and geography. The continent that was supposedly discovered by Christopher Columbus is named for a decidedly second-rate Johnny-come-lately of an explorer named Amerigo Vespucci. Like Columbus, Vespucci was an Italian who sailed on occasion under the flag of Spain. But unlike Columbus, Vespucci was more at home in a counting house than a sailing ship. (Even Ralph Waldo Emerson, normally a booster of all things American, dismissed him as a mere “pickle dealer.”) What Vespucci did have, according to Felipe Fernández-Armesto’s wonderfully idiosyncratic and intelligent new biography of the explorer, was a gift for chicanery and self-promotion, along with an aching need to be remembered. As it turns out, America—this nation of notorious hucksters, dreamers and spin doctors—was named for just the right guy.

As Fernández-Armesto astutely observes, it’s probably a good thing Mercator went with America instead of what might have been the more obvious choice, Christopheria or, say, Columbia. “Columbus has such an ineluctable presence in history,” he writes, “that a hemisphere named after him would never be free of association with him. With every vocalization, images of imperialism, evangelization, colonization, massacre and ecological exchange would spring to mind. The controversies would be constant, the revulsion unendurable.” Since Amerigo Vespucci is a historical nonentity, the term “America” is free of the disturbing connotations that would have been associated with his more famous forebear. “History has made him irrelevant,” Fernández-Armesto writes, “to the major resonances of his own name.” Thanks to the ephemerality of Amerigo Vespucci’s reputation as an explorer, America was given an enduring name.

Freedmen case is clear

Cheyfitz:  The historical irony of H.R. 2824Morally, the issue is clear: Why attempt to disenfranchise a particular group of Cherokee Nation citizens based, it would appear, solely on their race? The response from the government of the nation has been that this move, contrary to the way it appears, is not racist--there are black Cherokees on the "blood" rolls, it argues--but a matter of sovereignty, a question of who gets to decide tribal enrollments: the nation itself or the federal government. While under federal Indian law the tribes are granted autonomy in the area of enrollment, the Secretary of the Interior, under the same proviso, has a right to intervene in these decisions. Legal matters notwithstanding, a nation constituted by "blood" is a nation constituted by racial borders; and a nation constituted by this kind of exclusivity is by definition racist. The irony here is that the constitution of tribal rolls by blood quantum is a federal imposition of the Dawes era, a stricture that the tribes themselves later adopted in contradiction of traditional practices.

Legally, the issue is also clear: as noted above, Article 9 of the Treaty of 1866 grants the "freedmen ... all the rights of native Cherokees." End of story. If Indian nations expect the federal government to abide by the treaties, which are the foundation of federal Indian law, recognizing the government-to-government relationship between Indian nations and the United States, then the federal government has a right to expect the same, even though the trail of treaties broken by the government is all too long. The irony here is also evident--the habitual treaty-breaker insists on the sanctity of the treaty--but does not negate the principle or fact of the law.

Cornut still pro-Custer

An e-mail received from a correspondent, 7/8/07:I've been reading with interest the history on your website of your contacts with David Cornut and his brother Xavier. You may be interested to know that among David Cornut's most recent enterprises has been rewriting articles under the username Custerwest on the English Wikipedia to suit his views on matters Custerish. A resulting edit war on the article Battle of Washita River has led to administrators blocking the article from editing until disputes can be reached on the article's related talk page. Cornut has apparently had a long history with this & other Custer-related articles, & before creating the username Custerwest (which goes handily with his most recent Custer glorification website, http://www.custerwest.org) was editing articles under a variety of anonymous IPs associated with the Universite de Fribourg in Switzerland, where he is apparently now (or at least was) a student.

Just thought you might be interested. I'm one of the people working to restore the article to some kind of sanity, not to mention accuracy.

"Tribe" sells membership to illegals

Tribe's offer of citizenship spurs warningAn agent of a group calling itself the Kaweah Indian Nation was contacting churches in Nebraska towns, selling tribal membership rights to illegal immigrants.

For an enrollment fee of several hundred dollars, the agent said, the new members would be able to travel freely in the United States as part of the tribe.

They would purportedly be protected against deportation and eventually could attain U.S. citizenship."Tribal leaders" explain:Leaders of the Kaweah defended the offer to The World-Herald, saying that the tribe's descendants extend into parts of Latin America and that American Indians predate the border that separates the United States from Mexico. Thus, by birthright, the leaders say, many immigrants can enroll as Indians.

Malcolm Webber, also known as Grand Chief Thunderbird IV, said, however, that tribal leaders were investigating reports that an agent might have been charging more than the standard enrollment fee of $100 per family. Webber, who was reached in Wichita, Kan., said: "There's always a bad egg in the basket."Why the "Grand Chief" is wrong:The federal government does not recognize the Kaweah Indian Nation or its right to sovereignty, Scheurich said. Its application to be recognized as a federal tribe was denied in the 1980s, she said.

Even if the Kaweah tribe were federally recognized, adoption of adult immigrants without tribal blood ties would not be a route to citizenship, said Marilu Cabrera, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

Dems bank on Indians

DNC funds put in tribal bankCiting decades of discrimination against businesses on reservations, owners of the Denver-based Native American Bank praised a decision by organizers of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver to invest $2 million Wednesday.

The bankers said it's a good way to encourage tribes to get more involved in politics after years of trying to convince lenders that businesses on reservations do not have higher default rates and that obstacles surrounding tribal sovereignty can be overcome.Democrats partner with Native bank“The Native American Bank represents perhaps the most courageous, grand and ambitious banking experiment in the history of the United States,” said Colbert. “For generations, mainstream banks have ignored and avoided Indian Country and reservation areas.

“They said they couldn't make money in Indian Country,” he said. “They said Indian people would default on any loans they made. They said reservation areas were too economically distressed. They said that the trust land status of reservations was a complete obstacle to transacting any business. ... In effect, they said that Native people were not bank-worthy.”

But the national Indian bank has proved otherwise.

Germans cheat Native dancers

Native American dancers swindledSome Oklahoma Native Americans say they were caught in the middle of an International scam. They're dancers who were hired to perform their native dances in Germany this summer.

Seventy natives made the trip and signed a paid contract to perform for 25 days. But, they never got what the money they were promised. The group made it back late last night, tired from the ordeal and the journey. And now, they're jobless and empty handed. Some of the group wanted to earn money for college, and some even had to give up their jobs to make the trip.How it happened:[The German organization] turned out to be two men. The contract the native dancers signed required each dancer to work 10 hours per day, rain or shine and be paid $150 per day. On the fifteenth day, after having not been paid, the dance group called off the shows.

They were told by the Germans who had booked the troupe that they could go to the airport and wait 10 days until the return date on the ticket; or they could pay their own way home. Reluctantly, the Native Americans decided to fulfill their part of the contract.

More on Potawatomi chef

OETA To Broadcast Loretta Oden ShowSeasoned with Spirit offers viewers “a culinary celebration of America's bounty combining Native American history and culture with delicious, healthy recipes inspired by indigenous foods,” according to the NAPT website. Each 30-minute episode “is a visually stunning, cultural adventure across the American landscape where viewers meet Native American peoples, see their breathtaking environs, learn their history and traditions, and, best of all, taste their cuisine. Plus, the entire series features a stirring musical score featuring today's top Native American artists.”

Oden is described as “a renowned Native American chef, food historian and lecturer, and proud woman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Š With her infectious humor and unstoppable enthusiasm, Loretta travels around the country to immerse herself in the lives and traditions of numerous Native American tribes. She blends her passion for delectable food and engaging storytelling to create a fascinating series for viewers of all backgrounds Š From simple comfort foods such as Sassafras Shrimp Gumbo, to more exotic dishes as such as Grilled Buffalo Tenderloin topped with Chokecherry Au Jus, Seasoned with Spirit presents a culinary palette for every taste, and a taste for every palate.”

Massaging kinks on the links

When in Pain, PGA Tour Players Turn to Healer“No one really knows exactly what I do,” said Weathers, who has been called a shiatsu master, a reflexologist and a healer. “They try to say, ‘Hey, he’s a massage therapist,’ but it’s more than that.”

In the traveling circus that is the PGA Tour, rife with players, caddies and officials hop-scotching the globe, the muscular Weathers is at tournaments 36 weeks during the year. His latest recognition came from massaging Phil Mickelson’s injured left wrist during the Memorial Tournament and the United States Open, but Weathers has worked with as many as 40 players on the Tour.

The son of a Choctaw Indian father and a mother of Irish descent, Weathers took a circuitous route to his occupation. He grew up in Napa Valley, Calif., graduated from high school and joined the Army before becoming a Green Beret.

Merit badge for Native religion

Navajo Boy Scouts work to establish Native emblemA groundbreaking process is occurring on the Navajo Nation with effects that will reach youth throughout the continent for centuries to come. Nine-year-old Kinlichiinii Ashkii John of the Red House Clan, born for the Salt Clan, his two sisters and parents are working to establish the first Boy Scouts of America Native American Religious Emblem.

Since its official genesis in 1910, the Boy Scouts of American (BSA) has adopted the religious symbols of 35 religious groups to encourage members to grow stronger in their faith. These religions vary in diversity and include Baptist, Roman Catholic, Hindu, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Baha'i, and Meher Baba (to name just a few). However, nothing to signify a Native American religion has ever been included.

Native swimming championship

Inaugural Native American Swimming Championships Held in Late JulyThe Ute Mountain Ute Tribe hosted the Inaugural Native American Swimming Championships from July 20-22 at their Recreation Center pool in Towaoc, Colo.

Nearly three dozen of the finest Native swimmers from North Carolina, Oklahoma, Montana, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado competed in the three-day swimming program that featured a full compliment of events. The meet also was sanctioned by USA Swimming.

Turquoise Rose hits Gallup

‘Turquoise Rose’ opens tonight at El Morro[A] film about a young urban Navajo woman who returns to the reservation to care for her ailing grandmother.Some background:“Turquoise Rose” was filmed on the Navajo Nation and in Gallup in 2006. It features a number of Navajo people, most without professional acting experience, in the lead parts. The title role is played by Natasha Kaye Johnson of Twin Lakes. Johnson, who has done some part-time modeling, works as a reporter for The Independent. Gallup resident Rhonda Ray, of the Southwest Indian Foundation, portrays Turquoise Rose’s mother. The film also features Native actors and entertainers Deshava Apachee, Vincent Craig, and Ernest Tsosie III.

Hamilton plans to show the film in Native communities across the United States and Canada. He hopes the Navajo characters of “Turquoise Rose” will become as endearing to Native audiences as the characters of Thomas and Victor in the ever-popular “Smoke Signals.”

Woman wrestler from White Earth

Remembering the full life of Princess Tona TomahAmid the turmoil of late June, and the major media coverage of Chris Benoit's horrible actions, the passing of woman wrestler Princess Tona Tomah in Phoenix received little attention. It's unfortunate because she lived a full, fascinating life.

One of the few legitimate Native American professional wrestlers, Tomah toured the continent, dabbled in boxing, helped promote, and raised a gaggle of kids through a series of marriages. She died June 15, 2007, at the age of 72.

Born Mercedes Waukago on June 5, 1935 on the Whitearth Indian Reservation in Minnesota, she followed a sister into athletics and wrestling, working on the carnival circuit at the age of 14, taking on all-comers: men, women, and even de-clawed baboons.

Another golf course celebrates Indians

Circling Raven Golf Club pays homage to Native American tribe“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is paying tribute to our people and the land by doing things like giving Indian names and meaning to Circling Raven’s golf holes,” says Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel CEO David Lasarte. “We want to celebrate our Tribe’s history and future and share some culture with our guests at the same time.”

Some examples include:

No.1: Railroad tracks run nearly parallel to the hole-–chdlamalqw–-“Gallops on the Logs”… That’s what the train does here, as described in the tribal language. It represents great power…and great change as you begin your experience with us.

Oprah gets Indian name

B.C. community greets 'wise woman' Oprah

Talk show icon is given honorary name by the 'Namgis First Nation after sailing into Alert Bay on Jim Pattison's yachtDaytime talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey was christened Noxsolaga, a 'Namgis First Nation word that means "wise woman," during a visit Friday to the tiny community of Alert Bay.

Winfrey quietly sailed into town in a 50-metre yacht owned by fellow billionaire Jim Pattison at about noon Friday, said Alert Bay Mayor John Rowell.

Blackfeet funeral parlor

Foster and Spotted Eagle Tribal Wake Center focuses on family and cultureFoster and Spotted Eagle opened their doors for business last January, basing their packages on what the Blackfeet Tribe gives its members for funeral services "so families aren't left with a huge bill," said Michele Spotted Eagle, Thursday, Aug. 2.

"We take a lot of time with the arrangements with each family because each one is different, and it has to be done to suit the family," Michele said. "It makes a person feel very humbled and blessed when you can provide a service to a family when they're suffering the loss of a loved one."

Why whites are scared

Whites Now Minority in 1 in 10 CountiesWhites are now in the minority in nearly one in 10 U.S. counties. And that increased diversity, fueled by immigration and higher birth rates among blacks and Hispanics, is straining race relations and sparking a backlash against immigrants in many communities.

Many of the nation's biggest counties have long had large minority populations. But that diversity is now spreading to the suburbs and beyond, causing resentment in some areas.

Aborigines, Amazonians, and Alaskans

Indian Comics Irregular #158:  Indigenous Movies on the Move

Indian café serves NMAI

Mitsitam Cafe puts indigenous cuisine on the mapThe Mitsitam Cafe tops $5 million in gross revenues a year, serves between 500 and 2,000 visitors a day, purchases 30 percent of its supplies from indigenous providers, employs 55 people, does 80 to 85 percent of its sales in indigenous-provided high-volume foodstuffs such as buffalo, salmon, turkey and wild rice, and--courtesy of tourists drawn from all over the world to the place it calls home, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian--has placed indigenous foods smack dab on the map of international cuisine.The Native food suppliers:More indigenous suppliers are always wanted, but the volume Hetzler needs can be a challenge. Intertribal Bison Cooperative can provide 250,000 pounds of buffalo in six cuts annually, the Quinault provide plenty of salmon and the traditional cedar plank cookery, and elk may appear on the menu this fall because Native sourcing looks feasible. But churro lamb flock sizes aren't large enough yet, and the appearance of sorrel cactus syrup depends on the chollom bud harvest. For that matter, fiddlehead ferns are in season only briefly; and produce generally has to be supplied from near at hand or it can't be kept fresh.What the critics say:Serious complaints about the food quality are few and far between--to the contrary, the Mitsitam has won stellar reviews from the restaurant guides. That's in part because the museum flew in cuisine specialists from the five regions represented at separate stations--South America, Meso America, the Great Plains, the Northwest and the Northeast. They gave the cafe its first and most important stamp of approval, not to mention useful tips.

Indian hotel serves NMAI

Indian hotel located near National Powwow siteThe Marriott Residence Inn at 333 E St. S.W. is only a couple of blocks away from the National Museum of the American Indian, making it a convenient spot to stay if you're attending the National Powwow. But what makes it even more interesting is the fact that it was developed by a consortium of four Indian tribes.

The Four Fires project made history when it was announced in 2002 at the National Press Club by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (California), the Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin, the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians of California.

It wasn't news that tribes were developing a hotel, since many of them have done so in conjunction with casino projects. But this project was the first to be developed as a general economic development project between multiple tribes from different states involving a project not on any of their tribal lands, in the interest of diversifying their economic bases.

2007 NAMMY nominations

Native American Music Awards & Association Announce Nominees for Ninth Annual Awards Ceremony

Brule’ Leads with Five, Jana, Jim Boyd Band, Shelly Morningsong with Four Nominations EachNominations for the Ninth Annual Native American Music Awards were announced today by The Native American Music Awards & Association (N.A.M.A). Due to a record number of recording submissions received in the past year, the Awards have expanded both its number of categories from 26 to 30 and from five to six nominees in each category. This year, 180 nominees are featured throughout 30 music Award categories.

Topping this year’s nominations are; Brule’ and AIRO featuring Paul LaRoche (Lakota) with five nominations for Kinship and Silent Star Night, Jim Boyd Band (Colville) for Live At Two Rivers, Jana (Lumbee) for An American Indian Story, and new artist Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne) for Out of the Ashes all with four nods each. Arigon Starr, JSK, Pipestone, Susan Aglukark, Tamara Podemski and Arvel Bird have three each, and Brian Hammill, Corn-Bred, Donna Kay, Douglas Blue Feather, Evren Ozan, Exit Wound, Night Shield, Jamie Coon, Jan Michael Looking Wolf, John Two-Hawks and Bastiaan, Keith Secola & Karen Drift, Mary Youngblood, Michael Bucher, Michael Jacobs, Peter Buffett & Chief Hawk Pope, Radmilla Cody, Raven Hernandez, Robert Mirabal, Robert Tree Cody, Talibah Begay, Thoz Womenz, Tonemah, Wade Fernandez and Women of Wabano have earned two nominations each.

More on Pechanga paintings

L.A. pop artist featured in murals at Pechanga casinoAsk Todd White what it means to be an artist in demand and the answer is simple: Freedom.

"One of the best things that has happened to me lately is I was reminded that I can do whatever I want," he said. "There's no rush, no pressure. I don't have to paint like a fiend. Now I have the freedom to pour my heart and soul into a piece."

Heart and soul is exactly what officials at Pechanga Resort & Casino were hoping to get when they commissioned White for 11 paintings to adorn the walls of their casino about two years ago.

Native chef wins Emmy

Loretta Barrett Oden's spirited journey on PBSThis is a remarkable year for Loretta Barrett Oden, an Oklahoman of American Indian descent who is a chef and a food historian. She is ecstatic, even giddy, that she has earned a Boston/New England Chapter Emmy for "Seasoned With Spirit: A Native Cook's Journey,” the five-part PBS series she wrote and hosted.

The series, co-produced by Connecticut Public Television and Native American Public Telecommunications in association with Resolution Pictures, will air locally beginning Monday.

New Age watchdog back online

Lekay, Martin, and Yeagley FAIL to Censor Their CriticsNAFPS was only mildly inconven