Newspaper Rock

Washington DC '09 trip (Day 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:09:00 +0000

Continuing the report begun in Washington DC '09 trip (Day 1):

After dozing for maybe an hour, I got up for my fun-filled day of sightseeing.

First I went to the Dept. of Agriculture, where I met my contact Richard Regan. I was in time to see Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack speak to an audience of tribal leaders. Then we checked the auditorium where I'd be speaking the next day.

Then I headed off for a long day of walking the National Mall. I went by the Holocaust Museum, but it hadn't opened yet. I circled the Tidal Basin to see the Jefferson Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Back on the Mall, I took in the National WW II Memorial.

Then I retraced my steps to the Dept. of Agriculture and continued to the National Museum of the American Indian. I had a chipotle chicken taco in the Mitsatim cafe. I left a message with Indian Country Today reporter Rob Capriccioso, who supposedly was visiting the NMAI also, but couldn't connect. So I toured the permanent exhibits--Our Universe, Our Lives, Our People--and the special Brian Jungen: Strange Comfort exhibit.

It was getting late in the afternoon, but I had enough time to look through the ground floor of the National Air and Space Museum. I don't think I'd been there since 1976. Finally I toured the Hirshhorn Museum's sculpture garden because I love public art.

I was supposed to meet Ruth, an old Internet friend, for dinner, but I took the wrong Metro train and ended up in a bad part of town. No problem: I took another train back and then got on the right train. Ruth and I walked to the well-reviewed Enjera, an Eritrean restaurant, but it was boarded up. So we had a decent meal at the Ethiopian restaurant across the street before heading our separate ways.

I ended up taking more than 600 photos that day--a new record for me. My feet were sore, but the day was good. Fourteen hours straight of seeing and doing things is my idea of living life to the fullest.

For more on the subject, see Speaking on Stereotypes at the Capital.

Stereotypical Massasoit statue returns

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Statue of Indian leader returning to Capitol

By Marc HaddockMassasoit returns to the state Capitol grounds this week.

Cyrus Dallin's sometimes controversial statue of the Wampanoag Indian leader who is credited with saving the Pilgrims during their early days at Plymouth, Mass., will be reinstalled at an official ceremony Thursday at 11 a.m.

And while some have complained that it's inappropriate to have a statue honoring a Massachusetts Indian leader on display in front of Utah's Capitol when the state has plenty of homegrown American Indians who deserve recognition, Judith McConkie, Utah's Capitol curator, said the work by one of Utah's most famous artists deserves its honored place because of the historic nature of the statue as well as the individual it portrays.And:His sculptures of American Indians are among his best known work, and a 9-foot 3-inch statue of Massasoit was placed in Plymouth in 1921 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of a peace treaty the pilgrims negotiated with the "Great Sachem of the Wampanoags."

The following year, Dallin presented the original plaster cast to his home state, where it was placed indoors because, as Horne wrote, "One month's rigor of winter weather would crumble it back into clay, but sheltered under the great dome of the capitol it will last indefinitely."

The artist felt that the statue of a Massachusetts Indian represented Utah Native Americans, as well.

"In setting up this man of peace, who saved the Plymouth Colony, I have a hope … that I might model the old Chief Washakie, of the Shoshones, who, too, was a man of peace; and he wielded as potent and saving an influence over the first Pioneers, 'a thousand miles from nowhere,' as ever did Massasoit over the Pilgrims," Horne quotes Dallin as saying.Comment: I've covered this story before, but let's reiterate the key points:

Dallin gave Utah the original plaster cast, not a bronze statue. Someone in Utah decided they needed their own Massasoit statue, so they used the cast to create one.

In other words, the Utahns weren't preserving a great work of art despite it stereotypical nature. They created a duplicate statue because they were proud of its stereotypical nature.

If the statue is so great and wonderful, the Utahns can honor it by putting it in a museum with a plaque explaining the controversy and the stereotypes. Putting it on display on Utah's capital grounds is essentially thumbing their noses at the critics. "Our pride in Dallin's stupid stereotypes is more important than your desire for cultural accuracy. We'd rather honor a white man's fantasy about Natives than Utah's actual Natives."

According to Dallin, Chief Washakie of the Shoshones was similar to Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoags. In other words, all Indians are basically the same and it doesn't matter which one we honor.

Really? Two hundred years and two thousand miles apart and one can substitute for the other? That's like saying Chief Washakie fought for peace and Q'orianka Kilcher fought for peace, so let's raise a statue of Kilcher to symbolize Utah's Indians.

This is bad enough, but the curator seems to have bought this "argument." Hello? Is anyone in Utah thinking critically about this issue? Or are you all trying to find rationalizations to justify this stereotypical depiction of Indians?

For more on the subject, see:

Rob vs. Curator on Massasoit Statue
Defending Cyrus Dallin
Massasoit the Noble Savage
Massasoit Statue in Utah

Below: Massasoit the half-naked stand-in for Washakie and a statue of Washakie.

Greedy Jews and noble savages

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:18:00 +0000

The Racialicious blog brings another good posting to our attention. This one is about the "positive" stereotype of the miserly Jew, but it also applies to the "positive" stereotype of the noble Indian savage.

A controversy started when two South Carolina Republicans wrote a response to a previous newspaper item:Recently your newspaper published a letter from state Rep. Bakari Sellers attacking U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint and his opposition to congressional earmarks.

There is a saying that the Jews who are wealthy got that way not by watching dollars, but instead by taking care of the pennies and the dollars taking care of themselves. By not using earmarks to fund projects for South Carolina and instead using actual bills, DeMint is watching our nation’s pennies and trying to preserve our country’s wealth and our economy’s viability to give all an opportunity to succeed.Blogger G.D. tells us the problem with this:

Racism as Backhanded ComplimentIn trying to flip the script, those two S.C. Republicans miss the point that their “compliment” starts from a position that the money-hungry, penny-pinching Jew stereotype is true and valid. Trying to untether that stereotype from this history, as the guy defending these two Republicans does, takes a lot of arrogance, ignorance or both.

If you scratch down just below the surface, you’ll find this kind of Othering in all “good stereotypes.” The well-worn trope about black men being strong and athletic with huge dicks is supposed to be some kind of compliment, even as it directly recalls the myth of violent, animalistic black male sexuality to which so much of America’s long history of racist terrorism has been a response. The “positive stereotype” of the smart Asian is based on the old idea of Asian folks as crafty, untrustworthy possessors of secret knowledge—an idea whose assumed validity makes it easier to round folks up en masse during wartime and shove them into detention camps.Comment: It's easy to see how this applies to Native people. The "noble savage" is still a savage. There's no way you can spin "savage" as a compliment.

For more on the subject, see Positive Stereotypes Are Negative.

Nike shoes aid Native youth sports

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Nike Introduces N7 Collection

Profits from the Collection Help Support Access to Youth Sport in Native American CommunitiesThis weekend Nike (NYSE:NKE) will debut the Nike N7 Collection, a select range of performance footwear designed with the environment and the future of Native American communities in mind. The N7 Collection will be sold exclusively through 33 Nike Factory Stores in the U.S. and via www.nike.com, with a portion of the profits going to the N7 Fund, which supports youth sport in Native American communities.

"For more than 10 years Nike has worked closely with Native American communities to provide support through product innovations specific to the needs of Native Americans and by providing grants to support sport programs through the N7 Fund," said Sam McCracken, General Manager of Nike's Native American Business. "With the introduction of the N7 Collection, consumers now have the ability to be their own agents of change, as the profits from their purchase will help young people in Native American communities realize their potential through sport."

The N7 Collection was created through the lens of Considered Design where products are engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact.

The N7 Collection features the N7 Air Pegasus+ 26, the N7 Huarache, as well as the N7 SMS RT for preschool and toddler sizes.Comment: For more on the subject, see The Nike Shoe Research and Nike Shoe Is Racist?

Below: "The new Nike N7 Air Pegasus+ 26 was created through the lens of Considered Design where products are engineered for higher performance and lower environmental impact, as well as designed with Native American inspired details and graphics that tie the shoe back to the N7 Collection." (Photo: Business Wire)

Studi challenges stereotypical roles

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:20:00 +0000

Western union: ‘Only Good Indian’ explores cultural history through revisionist drama

By Jon NiccumCalling from his home in New Mexico, where he is spending the afternoon riding horses, Studi says he is conscientious when first reading a script that it represents native culture accurately.

“I pay attention to that almost automatically,” he says. “I don’t make a huge point of it, but on the other hand, if I see huge discrepancies that I feel are over the line I’ll definitely do something about it. I want to keep things as authentic as possible, especially if we’re describing a particular people.”

Has he turned down roles if depictions were inauthentic?

“Perhaps if they were insensitive, yes,” he says.Comment: We've talked before about whether Adam Beach can or should turn down stereotypical roles (e.g., Blue Duck in Comanche Moon). Now we have evidence that a Native actor can and does turn down stereotypical roles. Apparently he doesn't carp about minor mistakes and stereotypes, but he objects to major ones.

Needless to say, Studi's candor isn't preventing him from working often. I conclude that all Native actors should try to take a stand on Hollywood mistakes and stereotypes--at least the "huge discrepancies."

Below: Wes Studi stars in "The Only Good Indian" by Lawrence filmmaker Kevin Willmott. (Tyler Carmody Photo)

Indian and American sign languages

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:09:00 +0000

Native Americans Lecture on Language

By Laura XiaoThe university invited two Native Americans to speak on campus about sign language and how it relates to Native American culture. Steven Burnelle and James WoodenLegs shared their personal stories and history about sign language with the audience. Burnelle is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota, and Montana native WoodenLegs is a member of the Northern Cheyenne reservation in New Mexico.

The guest lecturers communicated in both Plains Indian Sign Language and American Sign language. Two translators were present in the front row. Both lecturers also emphasized the importance of the American Sign Language Program (ASL) and how useful it is in today's world. WoodenLegs spoke about the historical aspect of sign language in Native American culture while Burnelle spoke more about ASL. Through the translator, WoodenLegs expressed how sign language is not the only aspect of Native American culture people should be informed about. He stressed the importance of learning about the history of many different cultures.Comment: Intersting, but if you go by this article, there's no actual connection between the two sign languages.

Washington DC '09 trip (Day 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:33:00 +0000

After sleeping only two hours Sunday night, I couldn't get to sleep at all Monday. Too much anxiety over my upcoming trip.

At 4:30 am I headed to the airport. One good thing about getting up that early is that the place is almost empty. My only complaint is that LAX doesn't have free Wi-Fi. They have it, but they charge you for it.

My flight to Washington (with a stop in Chicago) was smooth and uneventful. Richard Regan, the diversity specialist at the Department of Agriculture who invited me, met me at the airport. We took the Metro train back to L'Enfant Plaza, and I checked into my hotel. Then we had something to eat at Vie de France, a nearby sandwich shop.

I learned Regan, who seems like a good ol' Southern boy as well as a Lumbee Indian, is a real rabble-rouser. He files grievances and helps others do the same whenever discrimination breaks out at the USDA. He's kind of like I would be if I worked in a government agency--except I couldn't play politics well and would get fired quickly.

Then I took the Metro to Dupont Circle and walked to the NCAI's new embassy building on P St. Although the festivities were almost over, the building was still packed. Among the notables I saw were Billy Frank, Ernie Stevens Jr., Mark and Holly Cook Macarro, and Lise King. Eventually the crowds thinned out and I headed back to the Metro and my hotel.

For more on the subject, see Speaking on Stereotypes at the Capital.

The previous tribal summit

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Tribes look back to move forward: Obama's monumental challenge in Indian Country

By Lise Balk King
The Native Voice
Special to Pechanga.netPresident Bill Clinton issued his executive Memorandum on Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Government (April 29, 1994), which set guidelines for consultation and a system for government-wide implementation, throughout all agencies.

Loretta Avent, Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and the first-ever official tribal liaison to the White House, organized the Clinton tribal meeting at the White House in 1994. All federally recognized tribes were invited, and over 200 leaders attended. It was the first such meeting, and the last, until Obama's Tribal Nations Conference.And:Lynn Cutler, who served as the first-ever tribal liaison in the White House as Deputy Assistant to President Clinton for Intergovernmental Affairs, explained what it took to implement the mandates of Clinton's 1994 executive order. She said, "This was the period that tribes started to get politically active…I began to really push it with my colleagues, and develop relationships with (Departments of) Interior and Justice. We formed a working group and there were quarterly meetings. Gradually, by being a terrible nag, I was able to help the senior staff understand why we needed to be involved in Indian Country."Comment: For more on the subject, see Intro to Tribal Summits and Obama to Hold Tribal Summit.

Embassy = early warning system

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Embassy Dedicated in Advance of Conference

By Victor MerinaCiting the painful historical dealings with the federal government, she said the new embassy was needed as a place where tribal leaders can work together on issues—and where they can learn about potentially damaging legislation or policies so they could find ways to avert them.

During her prayer, Ransom praised the NCAI staff and said one of the benefits of having a tribal embassy is so staff members can "notify the nations when unfavorable elements are planned in D.C."

Afterward, when asked what she meant, she spoke of budget cuts from past administrations and damaging inserts to bills on Capitol Hill, placed during "midnight meetings," that have harmed Native people.

"When Indian chiefs came a long time ago to the White House, they would be treated tin grand style and be appeased and then just leave town," she said. "Not anymore."Comment: For more on the subject, see NCAI to Open Embassy of Tribal Nations and NCAI Moves to Embassy Row.

Below: "Alma Ransom of the Mohawk Bear Clan led the blessing of the new Embassy of Tribal Nations on Tuesday, Nov. 3." (Reznet photo by Victor Merina)

Spooky stuff in Depp's Lone Ranger

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Johnny Depp Still Attached to Play Tonto in Lone Ranger Movie

The legendary masked avenger of the old west gets a Pirates remake, with Jack Sparrow riding shotgun!"Elliot and Rossio worked on that also with some other writers and with Johnny. So they're creating something that has a kind of true-to-the-western [feel], but adding other additional elements like we did with Pirates so it won't be just a straight-ahead western."

Those "additional elements" are rumored to be the inclusion of supernatural phenomenon, according to some reports.Comment: A Western with Indian shamans, spirits, and burial grounds? That's been done only about a thousand times already.

I'm still getting the impression this movie will reinforce more stereotypes than it busts. For more on the subject, see Native Things that Go Bump in the Night and The Lone Ranger and Tonto.

How traditional Cherokee women dress

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:07:00 +0000

In response to Anonymous, who thinks traditional Cherokee women may have looked like Liv Tyler in a Pocahontas costume, here's the proof:

Hmm. No feathers or leathers in any of these outfits, Anonymous. We're still waiting for you to provide the first shred of evidence that Tyler's costume isn't a pure stereotype.

Do you understand now why her costume is wrong, buddy? Or are you too dense to grasp the evidence in front of your face?

You're now losing the debate 14 examples to zero. I suggest you give up before I put my foot even further upside your butt.

For more on the subject, see Tricking or Treating Indians.

Afro-Aboriginal in a chief's headdress

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:11:00 +0000

Black American Indians reach for untold story

Afro-Aboriginals reclaiming rich multi-ethnic roots

By Judy MastersonA group of black Americans interested in exploring their American Indian roots has formed a group called the Northern Illinois Afro-Aboriginals.

"The African Native American is a story that's not told," said Ali Albakri, a founding member and managing editor of Lake County Arts magazine, who heard from a cousin that his family tree includes members of the Blackfoot tribe.

The idea for the group came from Joe Russell, 54, of Waukegan, a substitute teacher. Russell's birth mother, Tienna Evans, was a full-blooded Arapaho, he said, and his birth father was black. Russell, who was adopted, has struggled to learn the facts of his heritage, and he has struggled for acceptance as a bi-racial, multi-ethnic person in a culture that is just beginning to embrace multiculturalism.

"Being racially mixed means, to some groups, that I'm diluting blood lines," he said. "But I'm equal parts both.

The Afro-Aboriginals sponsored a booth during a downtown Waukegan Juneteenth celebration last summer, and members have attended the annual end-of summer powwow in Zion organized by a committee of Potawatomi.

In celebration of his Arapaho heritage, Russell has taken the tribal name Angshe B'neshe Tienna, or Lone Hawk Touched by the Sun. Elders from the Northern Arapaho band recently presented him a warrior's bonnet, and he has been declared a Winkta, a "two-spirited" tribal "mediatrix between the voice of the people and the ear of the divine."Comment: If the Northern Arapaho gave Russell the name and the warbonnet, I guess he has the right to use them. But this use smacks of insecurity to me. If you're sure of yourself, what does it matter if you're named "Joe Russell" or "Lone Hawk Touched by the Sun"? Unless you're receiving an award or meeting the president, why do you need to wear a headdress?

Regardless of the external trappings, you either are or aren't an Indian. If you aren't one, the impressive name and headdress won't make you one. Therefore, don't emulate someone's (stereotypical) idea of what it means to be an Indian. Just be yourself.

For more on the subject, see Preview of IndiVisible and "Actual Indian" Defined.

Below: "Joe Russell of Waukegan, wearing a war bonnet, is a member of the Northern Illinois Afro-Aboriginals, which promotes black-American Indian identity reclamation." (Thomas Delany Jr./News-Sun)

Intro to tribal summits

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:08:00 +0000

To Form a More Perfect Union: Tribal nations and the United States meet at summit

By Lise Balk King
The Native Voice
Special to Pechanga.netThey have come by horse, train, car and bus, wagons and airplanes. They have swallowed pride and accepted harsh realities…and in the name of the very survival of their people, some have even walked countless miles, with families left behind for months and years…in the pursuit of petitioning the Great White Father in the Great White House.

The history of Indian tribal leaders taking their concerns to the President goes back all the way to George Washington. It covers virtually every administration since the founding fathers pledged to "form a more perfect union." Presidents have also petitioned tribes, through delegations and treaties, to address the wishes and concerns of the federal government in the name of Manifest Destiny and the best interests of Americans.

So it is not without precedence that Obama has scheduled a White House Tribal Nations Conference with leaders invited from all 564 federally recognized tribes November 5 at the Department of the Interior. President Bill Clinton hosted the first such meeting at the White House in 1994. It is, however, without equal in its potential for progress in US-tribal relations and affairs.

In reality, US-tribal relations were founded in genocide, stoked by warfare, crippled by broken treaties, and almost severed by the Termination policies of the 1950s. There is also precedence, therefore, for Indians' deep lack of trust in the promises made by presidents and their representatives.

But this historic event is less of a petitioning as it is a meeting at a common point in the road.

Off to Washington DC '09

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I'm off to give my presentation at the Dept. of Agriculture Thursday. I'll be gone from before sunrise Tuesday (yawn) till mid-day Friday. I hope to see the NCAI's tribal embassy, the National Museum of the American Indian, other museums and monuments on the Mall, and Obama's tribal summit.

Here's the intro I wrote for my talk:In Hollywood, Native American actors talk about getting "feathers and leathers" roles. In other words, being cast as stereotypical savages who wear buckskin outfits and headdresses, who maim and kill, who have no redeeming virtues. Today we're going beyond feathers and leathers, to separate the myths from the reality, and learn more about yesterday's and today's Indians.As always, stay tuned for my reports and pictures. Wednesday could be a new world record in terms of number of photos taken and posted.

For more on the subject, see Rob Unqualified to Discuss Stereotypes?!

Below: A half-naked Indian chief hides behind "America" on the George Gustav Heye Center building, an NMAI satellite, in Manhattan.

Indian Head Test Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Indian Head test cardThe Indian Head Test Pattern was a black and white television test pattern which was introduced in 1939 by RCA of Harrison, New Jersey as a part of the RCA TK-1 Monoscope. Twentieth century television later became so important socially that this purely technical electronic instrument (covertly identified as a branded industrial product) became a historical cultural icon of television's early days as a mass medium. Its name comes from the original art of a Native American featured on the card.

As television broadcasting ritual

The Indian Head Test Pattern became familiar to the large post-war Baby Boom TV audiences in America from 1947 onwards; it would often follow the formal television station sign-off after the United States national anthem. The Indian Head was also used in Canada, following the Canadian national anthem sign-off in the evening. This test pattern was later used by Venezuelan TV channel Venevision, in conjunction with the RMA Resolution Chart 1941, in the mid and late 70s before the Venezuelan anthem (Gloria al bravo pueblo).

The Indian Head pattern could variously be seen: after sign-off but while the station was still transmitting; while transmitting prior to a typical 6 AM formal sign-on; or even during the daylight morning hours on newer low budget stations, which typically began their broadcast day with midday local programs around 10 or 11 AM.

As cultural icon

An actual Indian Head Test Card, the pattern as printed on art-grade white cardboard, was only of secondary importance to television system adjustment, but many of them were saved as souvenirs, works of found art, and inadvertent mandalas.

The original art work was completed for RCA by an artist named Brooks on August 23, 1938. The master art was improbably discovered in a dumpster by a wrecking crew worker as the old RCA factory in Harrison, NJ was being demolished in 1970. The worker kept the art for over 30 years, and then used the Internet to locate and sell it to a test pattern collector.

Television appearances

The test card is perhaps best recalled by some baby boomers for its brief albeit iconic part in the opening sequence of The Outer Limits (1963-1965).

In the series Futurama, the Indian test card is seen with the Native American head being replaced by that of a Native Martian from the series.

A parody with a laughing Indian was the logo for the first season of Second City Television.

Film appearances

In the 2008 animated film Justice League: The New Frontier the Martian Manhunter learns about American pop culture by watching television; he morphs into several characters, ending with the Indian as the station announces that it's going off the air. This is in keeping with the era in which most of the film is set: the 1950s. The card itself appears later in the story as a Please Stand By notice after The Flash briefly commandeers a television station.

In the 2009 film Watchmen the test card is on a monitor in the control room of the television station in which Dr. Manhattan is interviewed in an alternate history 1985.

Other appearances

On Cheech and Chong's Big Bambu album, at the beginning of a long sketch spoofing TV shows, Cheech drops by Chong's pad and asks what he's watching. Chong replies, "I don't know, it's a movie about Indians, but it's really boring." Cheech says, "Hey man, that's not a movie, man. That's a test pattern, man!" Chong answers, "Far out." A test tone is audible in the background.

A parody of this test card appears in the computer game Streets of SimCity for 5 seconds before going to the main menu.

The test card makes an appearance as a loading screen in the game Fallout, and a reappearance in Fallout 3.

The Indian Head Test Pattern!Many have asked, YES, I am still offering these patterns for sale. I have thousands of them, and all you have to do is place your order.

I acquired the original artwork in 2004. It was found in a dumpster in the old RCA Tube Manufacturing building in Harrison NJ. I have the master hand drawn artwork for the Indian Head Test Pattern and the Indian Head. I had the artwork professionally restored to the way it looked in 1938.A posting about the NEW FRONTIER sequence mentioned above:

A Year of Cool Comic Book Moments--Day 303

Comment: I couldn't find anything on the actual Indian in the test pattern. Why did Brooks draw an Indian? Whose idea was it: his or RCA's? Did he use a model? What was the Indian supposed to symbolize? The great and noble history of RCA, perhaps? Or was it just somebody's idiosyncratic choice?

For more on the subject, see TV Shows Featuring Indians.

Tonto's son the minister

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Silverheels has gift to reach, touch, heal

By Amanda GreeneChief Steve Silverheels has Seneca/Mohawk Iroquois heritage from his father, Jay Silverheels who played Tonto in the TV series "The Lone Ranger." He has Jewish heritage from his mother.

He attended a synagogue in New York as a young boy and later went to a Catholic school. Then he spent his young adulthood mostly rejecting religion.

Some who find themselves in such diverse spiritual company might struggle with what to believe.

But the Star-News of Wilmington reported that the 69-year-old Wilmington resident and itinerant Christian minister believes God or The Great Creator made his choice for him in 1974.

"I was an alcoholic and a drug addict after I got out of the Army," he said. That year, after returning to his Florida apartment from a night of hard drinking, Silverheels had what he calls "a visitation from the Lord. And I knew it was my last warning."Steve Silverheels's connection to the Lone Ranger:Sitting in his Kings Grant home surrounded by Native American ceremonial artifacts including drums, an intricately carved eagle flute and a leather sack labeled "Sage Do not eat!" Silverheels chuckled.

"Some people say this is a museum," he said, gesturing to his full floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with "Lone Ranger" memorabilia and his wife's collection of lighthouse paintings.And:His videographer, Stan Atamanchuk, said he appeals to people in similar ways as his father did in "The Lone Ranger."

"Tonto finds the near dead Ranger and with "Good Samaritan" care nursed him back to health. This is one of the gifts God has bestowed on Chief Silverheels, to reach, to touch, to bless. His audiences are attracted to his healing prayers and touch," he wrote in an e-mail.Comment: For more on the subject, see Stupidity in Enter the Lone Ranger and Fetching in Enter the Lone Ranger.

Below: Chief Steve Silverheels and his wife Katherine. (Photo from www.chiefsilverheels.org)

Nazca cut trees, other Natives didn't

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:52:00 +0000

Peru's Nazca culture was brought down with its trees

Deforestation left nothing to hinder ancient floodwaters on the desert plain, researchers find. Modern Peru could learn from the civilization's collapse, they say.

By Thomas H. Maugh IIThe Nazca people of Peru--famous for their huge line drawings on an arid plateau that are fully visible only from the air--set the stage for their demise by deforesting the plain, allowing a huge El Niño-fueled flood to ravage the Ica Valley about AD 500, researchers have found.

"They died out because they destroyed their natural ecosystem," said archaeologist Alex J. Chepstow-Lusty of the French Institute of Andean Studies in Lima, coauthor of a paper in the current issue of Latin American Antiquity. "As the population expanded, they put in too many fields and didn't protect the landscape. The El Niño wiped away society."

Chepstow-Lusty, David Beresford-Jones of the University of Cambridge and their colleagues used pollen in the soil to trace the horticultural history of the valley, revealing environmental depredation.Comment: In one sense, this is good news. The Nazca unwisely deforested the plain without thinking seven generations ahead. They didn't know the huge El Niño rains were coming. Because of their sheer ignorance, they suffered the consequences.

This is notable because it's the exception that proves the rule. Unlike Western cultures, which routinely deforested the land they "settled," Native cultures usually lived within their means. That the Nazca deforested their land is newsworthy because most Native cultures didn't.

For more on the subject, see Ecological Indian Talk.

Below: "In the Ica Valley, about 120 miles south of Lima, 'the wind has blown away the topsoil,' one researcher said, 'so that features such as canals that were once cut into the landscape are now standing up above it, preserved in hard calcite.'" (Alex Chepstow-Lusty)

No people, just Indians, in Little House

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Educator Debbie Reese writes again about Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie. Someone wrote to Wilder requesting a change in the text and Wilder approved it.

Edit(s) to 1935 edition of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE?

Here's the before:There the wild animals wandered and fed as though they were in a pasture that stretched much farther than a man could see, and there were no people. Only Indians lived there.And the after:There the wild animals wandered and fed as though they were in a pasture that stretched much farther than a man could see, and there were no settlers. Only Indians lived there.Comment: Even "settlers" isn't quite right, since the Indians were already settled there. If Wilder wanted to distinguish between Indians and others, she should've written "white people."

It's great that Wilder and publisher agreed to make the change. It's ridiculous that Wilder wrote the line originally and no one noticed it for 20 years. It's a great example of the unconscious racism that pervades our culture.

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Books.

Aboriginal youths to carry Olympic flame

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

Liv Tyler = Cherokee Pocahontas?!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:22:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

dmarks said...

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

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

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

Anonymous said...

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

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

Anonymous said...

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

My response:

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

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

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

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

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

Sequoyah

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

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

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

Round 2Anonymous said...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brooke's thesis, again

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Answering the question

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stereotyping one race = racist

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

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

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

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

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

Rob unqualified to discuss stereotypes?!

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah, right.

Who has written more, again?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meyer violated Quileute etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indians fight back in Latin America

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Indian political awakening stirs Latin America

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Washington Deadskins

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

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

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

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

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

Below: Another crying Indian.

Will Rogers's 130th birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Will Rogers Days events to kick off Wednesday

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

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

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

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