Random Appropriation of the Day!

In headdress, hipsters, random appropriation by Adrienne K.1 Comment

Today’s random appropriation comes from Hipster Puppies, a pretty adorable tumblr feed playing off hipster stereotypes by captioning pictures of dogs.

The above image was posted with this caption: “lola got booted from the kickball team after just showing up every week and drinking”

In the words of tipster MK: “I’m gonna hope the caption about drinking has nothing to do with Native stereotypes. Coincidence?” Let’s hope.

Apparently even the hipster puppies are getting in on the tribal trend!

(Thanks MK!)

Dartmouth Native Vigilantes?

In activism, American Indian, dartmouth, mascots, vigilantes by Adrienne K.1 Comment

(image via ivygateblog.com)
Last night several of these anonymous signs were posted around the campus of Dartmouth College on the lawns of greek organizations and in front of administration buildings. The text on the sign above, posted at the Psi Upsilon house, reads:

Dear Brothers of Psi U,

You have been charged with representing your brotherhood to Dartmouth as racist and insensitive. Your use of the Dartmouth Indian, which is a caricature of racist stereotypes, as well as the objectification of women on your other shirt send a message to campus that you as an organization are actively disrespecting the feelings of your peers. We are holding you accountable for your actions.

It is time you start doing the same. 

I’ll admit that I’m not well versed in the intimate details of the ongoing issues surrounding the Indian mascot at Dartmouth, but I know that it has been a nearly constant struggle for Native students on campus fighting against generations of alumni who support and continue to use the mascot image. In addition to the mascot issues, there have been a series of serious incidents through the years directly targeting or affecting the Native community. Inside Higher Ed published an article in 2006 about some of the incidents, and can be found here.  I can only imagine, given the statement above, that the brothers of Psi U produced some sort of shirt using the mascot.

The Ivygate blog seems to think that these vigilantes are “anti-greek”, but I think it’s pretty obvious that’s not the case, and that there are bigger issues at play here. In addition to the sign above, they also covered the porch of the house with ladies underwear and the words “this won’t just go away”. While the blog speculates this is a reference to sexual harassment, commenter “vigilante” sets the record straight:

The panties are not anti-sexual-assault or even feminist (god forbid), but rather refer to a Psi U’s response to concerns about the Dartmouth Indian tshirts about people getting their “panties in a twist” and saying the situation will just “go away” if they don’t address it.

The people behind the signs aren’t anti-Greek by any means, just looking to revive dialogue about some recent actions by various organizations that come across as racist/sexist/generally insensitive. These things are consistently dismissed and swept under the rug, so the signs sought to give voice to those who were affected, offended by, and/or silenced by such actions. Accountability and respect of others in the community are the main goals, but at the very least we hope people will start actually talking about these issues rather than blowing them off as usual.

I think this is definitely a voice that needs to be heard, and that the Dartmouth administration’s track record of not taking action on issues affecting the Native community and communities of color in general is inexcusable. I hope that these “vigilantes” use this as momentum to keep the movement going and make their voices heard.

I know I’ve got a few readers from up that way, if anyone wants to give me more information, or wants to write a post about the issues facing Native students on campus, especially surrounding the continued use of the mascot, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I am perfectly happy to keep you anonymous. nativeappropriations@gmail.com.

Dartmouth Apologizes for Indian Incidents–Inside Higher Ed (2006): http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/11/27/dartmouth

Anonymous Vigilantes Attack Dartmouth Frats with Manifestos, Women’s Underwear–Ivygate Blog: http://www.ivygateblog.com/2010/02/breaking-anonymous-vigilante-attacks-dartmouth-frats-with-manifestos-womens-underwear/ 

(Thanks Scott!)

Indigenous Olympics Link Roundup Part 2

In First Nations, indigenous, link roundup, Olympics, Vancouver Games by Adrienne K.Leave a Comment


Here are a few more links examining the Indigenous presence in the games!

The argument I’ve been hearing is that with the “inclusion” of First Nations in the games marks the NEW start to a world wide relationship with us as Aboriginal Peoples living in Canada.  The term “unprecedented involvement” has been thrown around quite a bit and I wonder what that means exactly?  Are we involved because we danced in the Opening?  Are we involved because there is an Aboriginal pavilion at the games where “the world” can see us perform, sing, dance, rap, etc.?  Are we involved because we had to be because the Games were taking place whether we liked it or not and to be “a part” of it made more sense than not; at least we get to represent ourselves right?

To me, Canada had a chance to REALLY change the way the world sees “US” and how THEY (Canada) sees “US.”  I can’t help but go back to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and how Canada has participated in adopting (actually, NOT adopting) it.  Currently 143 countries have signed it and 4 haven’t.  The countries that haven’t signed are Canada, the US, New Zealand and Australia.  Australia has recently signed and New Zealand and the US are currently said to be close to signing. That leaves Canada.  To show TRUE appreciation for it’s Aboriginal Peoples and while on the world stage – could Canada have done more to let people know where they stand?  Should they have?  I mean, we did get to “dance” at the Olympics, but shouldn’t we ask for more?

Irniq is put off by the Olympic logo because of its human form. Its fat legs and outstretched arms make it look a little like a hockey goalie, and the head has a hint of a smile. Irniq says his people rarely stacked rocks to resemble humans.

“It’s a symbol of the fact that someone may have, um, committed suicide or someone may have murdered somebody at that spot,” he says.

If people are interested in looking at an example of an inukshuk that’s not associated with death, he says, they should look at the flag of Nunavut, which features a more traditional inukshuk.

Alano Edzerza, owner of Vancouver’s Edzerza Gallery and the acclaimed artist who carved the 10-meter native art mural at Vancouver’s GM Place (an arena to be used for the Olympics), together with ASICS, has unveiled their ground-breaking collaborative design for the Netherlands Olympic team uniform. 

The designs were unveiled at a fashion show hosted by ASICS at Arnhem’s Olympic Papendal Hotel and Conference Centre (Papendallaan 3, Arnhem, NETHERLANDS). The event was streamed via a feed and is available on demand at www.edzerzagallery.com and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-YYmIlJdrQ

(Thanks Marjorie, Ryan, and Leon!) 

Indigenous Olympics link roundup

In link roundup, Olympics, Vancouver Games by Adrienne K.Leave a Comment

As promised, I’ve tried to pull together some informative links/articles/blog posts about the Indigenization of the winter Olympics. This is by no means exhaustive (not even close!) so if anyone has more, please send them my way!

(AK note: this is a fantastic, well researched, well written piece, I wanted to quote the whole thing here! definitely a must read.)

 Some have found the cartoonish Olympic marketing imagery to be a mockery of native traditions.  For example, critics have argued that the 2010 Olympics committee has edited and re-packaged native culture — which also has been ripped out of its traditional contexts. The Committee is highlighting Arctic indigenous imagery — yet Vancouver, the centre of the Games, is a temperate city.  Arctic indigenous peoples did not live there — or on the nearby Whistler and Cypress mountains, where some Olympic events will be held. Other indigenous populations who did live in that area of British Columbia also are not represented in the marketing iconography.

The Olympics branding denies noteworthy differences among native groups spread across these areas. Passing theatrical gestures to native peoples during the open ceremonies could be considered to be more respectful, but Olympics marketers otherwise have been mixing up North American native traditions into a soup-like caricature. Natives have been consistently oppressed, but the various peoples who are considered to be native (in some way, or to some degree) certainly are not ‘all the same.’ Tacking Arctic imagery on to Vancouver-area Games implies that there is only one native essence (in North America, if not beyond this continent).


“So when I watched the Olympics opening ceremonies after the original broadcast I did feel proud that Native peoples were being included and celebrated in the production. I also am happy that it is the first time Indigenous people have been recognized by the International Olympic Committe as official host partners in any games.

But I can’t help feeling like it’s a little token. There is not doubt that Canada doesn’t want to share it’s long legacy of genocide toward the Native people of this country. This is why many Native people are asking for attention to our issues today, especially our stolen lands. The effects of this colonization are very much alive today. We have so many health, poverty, education, social issues which have many people living in third world conditions right here in Canada, in our backyards.”

During the games, the pavilion, an 8,000-square-foot building, will include entertainment provided by Native performers. There will also be plenty of aboriginal food and merchandise for sale. The pavilion will not be the only place in town with an aboriginal presence. In fact, there is no escaping aboriginal involvement and it will be rather prevalent in almost all aspects. For example, the games’ official logo is named Ilanaaq the Inunnguaq; ilanaaq is the Inuktitut word meaning friend.

Also, the games’ three official mascots – Miga, Quatchi and Sumi – were inspired by traditional First Nations creatures. Miga is a mythical sea bear, Quatchi is a sasquatch, and Sumi is an animal spirit. The athletes who win a medal will take home some hardware based on the designs of artwork of Vancouver-based aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt. And there are scores of other aboriginal designed products that are part of the games’ merchandising program.


To some, this means the Olympics are being held on stolen native land. But Phillip says if the Four Host First Nations want to allow the games on their land, that’s their right. Not that he’s happy about it. His organization has kept its distance from the Olympics, and he’s even refused to take part in the tribute to native culture in Friday night’s opening ceremony, which he calls “Disneyesque.” “I don’t think it’s proper for me to stand there and hold hands with government officials and be part of the misrepresentation of the well-being of our people,” Phillip says.

Canadian aboriginals eager to promote their culture at the upcoming Winter Games on their ancestral lands lamented on Wednesday that some “authentic First Nations” souvenirs were made in China, Italy or Thailand. These include native art and traditional clothes.
Tewanee Joseph, director of the Four Host First Nations, representing area aboriginals, says it is not a problem. “The design was created by authentic First Nations,” he told AFP. “The Four Host Nations created the whole aboriginal mark of the Games and we are truly authentic aboriginal people.”

There are so many more, but I didn’t want it to be too overwhelming. Maybe I’ll do a few more roundups throughout the week.

(Thanks Nancy, Sociological Images, Lisa Charleyboy, and anyone else who gave me links!)

Jessica Alba is all about the Pendleton

In fashion, jessica alba, pendleton by Adrienne K.1 Comment

Thanks to @lanova33 for pointing me to these pics of Jessica Alba sporting the pendleton jacket and braids in Texas last week. A couple more below:

 
All pics are from her twitter feed, and can be found here: http://tweetphoto.com/8721265
(Thanks Lanova!)

Looks like Rachel Zoe was right…

In "tribal", fashion, pendleton, rachel zoe by Adrienne K.2 Comments

(image via The Sartorialist)
Remember back in January when I posted the Rachel Zoe report about Lindsay Thornburg’s Pendleton cloaks? Looks like they’ve invaded the NY fashion scene. I found this picture this morning on The Sartorialist, one of my favorite fashion blogs of on-the-street fashion, by photographer Scott Schuman. He tends to have his fingers on the pulse of fashion (look at me use a metaphor at 9:30 am), so we’ll see if this is a trend with staying power.
I’ll keep my eyes open for anything similar coming out of NY fashion week right now.
Lindsay Thornburg Designs: http://www.lindseythornburg.com/store.html

Random Appropriation of the Day!

In fashion, Hermes, random appropriation by Adrienne K.2 Comments

My friend Yve found this Hermes scarf online.  Called “Pani La Shar Pawnee”, it retails for $420, and features a border of feathers and a vintage-looking Native photo. The image can be clicked for a bigger version, or the website has a zoom function as well. The scarf can be found here.

Apparently there were earlier, limited editions as well. This one had a limited run of only 200 scarves, and was based off a 1984 version:

I found a blog that gives a little background on the original design and the artist, Kermit Oliver, if you’re interested. Apparently this is one of the most complex designs Hermes has ever done, because of all the color tones in his face.

Pani La Shar background info: http://codexcostinianus.blogspot.com/2010/01/pani-la-shar-pawnee.html

(Thanks Yve!)

The Vancouver opening ceremonies: honoring Canadian First Nations?

In First Nations, indigenous, opening ceremonies, Vancouver Games by Adrienne K.11 Comments

 
I didn’t get to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver games live (I didn’t have a TV-until today!), but I was getting constant text message updates along the lines of: “girl, tell me you are watching the opening ceremonies! hella First Nations!” So I finally got around to watching them online and capturing some screen shots of the best parts.
I have very mixed feelings about the opening ceremonies–on one hand, it was fantastic to see the extensive Native presence (when has the US ever done anything like  this?) and a lot of it was culturally sensitive and true portrayals.
But, on the other hand, there were a few cringe worthy moments playing into stereotypes, and the involvement of the First Nations in the games masks a lot of the ongoing issues in Canadian Government/Native relations. 
After the jump, a bazillion more screen shots (once I figured out how to do it, I got a bit over eager) and analysis. 

The First Nations “welcome” was very early on in the ceremony, and it started with the four “host Nations”–the four tribes that are indigenous to the Vancouver area welcoming the crowd and the athletes. The image above shows the Lil’wat nation seal–the floor changed as each community said a welcome in their language. The four host nations are the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Peoples.

As each community did their welcome and raised their arms, these big ‘ol “totems” raised their arms too. I thought that was a little silly. 

This is a shot of one of the “totems” raising its arms. 
Dennis Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. This one is nice. haha.

 
After the four Host Nations welcomed everyone, they introduced the other Indigenous groups in Canada: The Metis, First Nations of the Prairie, the East, the West, and the Inuit…am I forgetting anyone? Each group came in wearing their traditional regalia (with a little powwow regalia thrown in there) and dancing more or less in the styles of their communities. 

Fancy Shawl dancer (First Nations of the Prairie)
 

The various groups dancing together after they were introduced

Everyone dancing together, kinda cool. 

Loved this woman, she reminds me of my Grandma and Aunties. 

As the athlete procession began, the First Nations participants continued to dance throughout–talk about some endurance! 
  
Notice the beanie of the Canadian flag bearer–it was given to her by the leaders of the four host nations, and has the symbol of the four tribes. 

After the parade of Nations, Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams came out and sang a song called “bang the drum”, and the Native participants danced along. The audience was also given cardboard “drums” with First Nations designs to bang along. Sorry I didn’t get a shot of them. 

during the song they did “spotlight” dance breaks with fancy dancers and hoop dancers. 

So, this is where it gets a little questionable. After the Nelly/Bryan performance, the arena floor was transformed into the “North” and this actor dressed up in roughly “arctic” regalia began trekking across the floor. 

Then he started to bang his staff on the ground and waves of “electricity” started radiating out. 

causing all the people to scatter. It just felt a little stereotyped–mystical Native guy tied to nature brings magic to the “normal” community

oh look, his magic created the constellations in the night sky! 

 After the Arctic, they transformed the stage into the ocean (pretty cool effect, actually) and had Indigenous images of Orca whales.

After the ocean, they moved to the forest, with these large “totem poles” rising up, which then transformed into trees. 

Finally, a shot that I loved–the First Nations leaders sitting with the Canadian government officials. I am fully aware that it was completely symbolic, but I liked it nonetheless. 
Whew, so that’s a quick version of the opening ceremonies. The whole thing is on NBC.com, in three parts, and can be watched here.
So, what does this all mean? Like I said at the opening, I am very happy that they decided to include the First Nations in the games overall–it’s rare, even in 2010, to see such a strong Native presence in a national event. I liked that they acknowledged the communities indigenous to the Vancouver area, even calling them the “host nations”, which is something we as Native people always make sure to do at events and gatherings–honoring the peoples whose land we stand on. I liked that I could sit and watch real Natives on TV, in traditional regalia, getting down to Nelly Furtado. It made me happy to think that for one night, Natives were in the minds of millions of people, and in a positive light. I felt proud to be Indigenous.
HOWEVER. The extensive involvement of Natives in the games in the ceremonies gives off the impression that Canada has a equal, open, and strong relationship with its First Nations communities. Most outsiders would think that Canada is an indigenous Nation, with its peoples having equal recognition in government (see last screen shot), practicing their sovereignty, etc–when this is not the case. At all. Canada, like the US, has not signed on the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Rights UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (oops) , Natives peoples in Canada continue to be the most impoverished communities with highest levels of unemployment (also like the US). 
I admit that I am not as knowledgeable about Canadian Indigenous issues as I would like, but the bottom line is that the olympics are giving off the impression of an equal, happy relationship between the Canadian and First Nations; when in reality, First Nations communities still live in a colonial state, with constant affronts to their sovereignty and autonomy as Nations. 
In the next couple of days I’m going to pull together some great articles, op-eds, and blog posts about these issues. Stay tuned. 
If anyone more versed in Canadian issues wants to write a post on all of this, please let me know!
(Thanks to Michael, Jenny, and all my texting friends!)

The Simpsons stereotypes Alaska Native cultures, again.

In Alaska Native, Inuit, Olympics, The Simpsons, Vancouver Games by Adrienne K.5 Comments

 
On the most recent episode of the Simpsons,  Homer and Marge gain a spot on the US Olympic curling team and head to Vancouver for the games. When they arrive in the city, Homer is greeted by an Alaska Native/Inuit woman (in Vancouver?) and they engage in about 10 seconds of guttural noises back and forth as the background goes all swimmy and mystical, then he drives away. 
After the jump, a couple more screen shots and linking it back to the Simpsons Movie (where this character was first introduced).

Admittedly, I was tipped off, so I sped through most of the episode until I got to this scene, and stopped watching after it, so I’m not sure if this was given more context later, but I’m almost positive it was just intended as a quick nod to the Simpsons Movie.
 

This is during their back and forth, notice how the background is all Dali-like and the inclusion of the psychedelic clouds and birds. 

This is a close-up of the character (who goes un-named in the movie as well). She has no teeth, a deep, masculine voice, and speaks in broken english.

I’m going to refer back to an email my friend Holly (who is Inupiaq from Anchorage) sent out after the Simpsons Movie came out, talking about the scene in which this character is introduced:

I’m not sure if you have seen it yet, but there is a scene with an Alaska Native woman who looks like a man, and who is highly sexualized by her breasts, yet remains hideous and ogre-like. The scene ultimately makes a mockery out of Alaska Natives, as audience members laugh at her. All the beauty of a culture is gone. Millions of people, who do not know about Alaska Natives are going to see this movie and laugh. There are enough problems with race and misunderstandings of other cultures in America without movies that create stereotypes about cultures that they do not know anything about.

The scene with the Inuit woman starts at 58 min. In which she gives Homer “fire water.” An insulting stereotype emphasized onscreen by the makers of The Simpsons. In the next scene at 1 hr 2 minutes, the Native woman appears in the Northern Lights and her oversized breasts bounce and point in the direction Homer needs to go in order to save Springfield. Considering how many Native women are victims of sexual assault and rape it is an outrage that a movie would further sexualize a group which is additionally humiliated.

 Holly sums it up beautifully, and brings to light the many issues at play behind the images in the movie and the episode, and I think this will serve as a good bridge for a discussion this week about the role of Indigenous peoples in Olympic advertising, marketing, and ceremonies of the Vancouver games.

The whole episode is on hulu, if you really want to watch it.

Full episode on hulu: http://www.hulu.com/watch/125173/the-simpsons-boy-meets-curl 

Background article on violence against Alaska Native Women in the Anchorage Daily News:
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/crime/story/8825231p-8726532c.html

More information on violence against Alaska Native women from Amnesty International:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/Womens_Human_Rights/Summary/page.do?id=1021170&n1=3&n2=39

(Thanks to Anna for the tip, and Holly for the analysis!)

Robin Lopez wore a Stanford Indian shirt, and 15,000 people saw

In mascots, random appropriation, robin lopez, stanford indian by Adrienne K.3 Comments

 
(image via “Official Twitter feed for Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley” link here)
This is Phoenix Suns player and Stanford alum Robin Lopez…wearing a Stanford Indians shirt.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Stanford mascot history, in 1972, as a direct result of Stanford Native student activism, the university finally banned the use of that stereotypical image you see above. For the complete mascot timeline, see this article (by Denni Woodward, who all Stanford Natives know and love). Woodward paraphrases the anti- mascot petition put forth by the students, in which they stated:
 The mascot in all its manifestations was, the Indian group maintained, stereotypical, offensive, and a mockery of Indian cultures.  The group suggested that the “University would be renouncing a grotesque ignorance that it has previously condoned” by removing the Indian as Stanford’s symbol, and by “retracting its misuse of the Indian symbol” 

Every few years or so the mascot issue re-emerges on campus, and every time the administration re-affirms the commitment they made in 1972 that:

“any and all Stanford University use of the Indian Symbol should be immediately disavowed and permanently stopped.”

To further complicate the story, Robin and his twin brother Brooke are Native, or at least they were on the list of incoming Native frosh back in 2006. I saw you at that frybread social Robin!
Who knows, Robin could be trying to make a point, or something, but I have a feeling that wasn’t the case. I know he’s a good guy, we have lots of mutual friends, but I still don’t like it.

It makes me upset to see any Stanford alum wearing an the mascot–and I saw plenty of them every year at Big Game and homecoming–but I feel worse knowing that Robin is a public figure, and so many people are going to see that picture on Twitter. Jared Dudley has 15,784 followers. I’d feel redeemed if Robin would let Jared post a picture of him wearing one of these shirts, or something similar:

(image via http://demockratees.com/)
So Robin, I submit this challenge to you. One Stanford Native alum to another. Heck, I’ll even buy you the shirt–Demockratees is an amazing Native-owned company, and I may or may not own this shirt myself. 

Stanford Mascot History: http://nacc.stanford.edu/mascot.html
Retire Indian Mascots shirt: http://www.demockratees.com/retireindianmascots.html

(Thanks to Eric for the link! (though he probably won’t be happy I posted this))