i'm baffled at how this name hasn't been changed already! 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2013/01/09/redskins-name-change-should-be-discussed-vincent-gray-says/?wprss=rss_local

Did any of you watch this show on Nickelodeon when you were a kid? Remember Danny the horse caretaker? Good depiction of a native or not?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/27/apple-bringing-cherokee-language-support-to-iphone-and-ipad/

Apple bringing Cherokee language support to iPhone and iPad

Apple's iOS devices currently support just 50 languages, out of thousands that are in use globally. Soon, that figure will creep up to 51. A fresh AP report notes that Cherokee Chief Chad Smith actually visited Apple and used students currently being schooled in immersion programs to "pull at the heartstrings" of Apple's brass, and eventually, Cupertino caved. The tribe has been working with Apple to develop Cherokee language software for the iPhone, iPod and iPad, the latter of which will purportedly become available at a later date. Naturally, this momentous occasion wouldn't have occurred without "years" of work, and while we're sure members of the Cherokee Nation are stoked to have the only American Indian language supported by Apple devices, this may actually serve to provide hope for others who speak less prominent tongues. All told, just 8,000 or so individuals still speak Cherokee, and most of those are aged 50 and up. But if Apple's willing to include support for that, who knows what else it'll become fluent in during the coming months.

I am currently doing a practicum as a student-teacher at an Aboriginal school in Winnipeg, Canada. Ninety-seven percent of the students at the school are Aboriginal (and maybe I should say I'm Aboriginal too, lol). We've been doing a unit on Aboriginal Representations in the Media, and we got to watch Reel Injun last week, the students loved it and had tonnes of questions afterwards. We also watched Wab Kinew's Heroes in preparation for the students to write essays on who they think is a positive Indigenous role model. Tomorrow, my grade 12 language arts class is going to be working on their critical thinking skills by identifying stereotypes and comparing/contrasting the lyrical portrayals of Indigenous people in the songs Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden and Indian Outlaw by Tim Mcgraw. It has been a very powerful unit, that I wish was taught in more schools. As I continue developing my resources as a teacher, any input that anyone here has on any videos, songs, art, etc. that portrays Indigenous people would be appreciated.

 

This is quite possibly the biggest fail I've seen on television all year.



A new episode of this show called "The Dudesons" aired on MTV recently, and not surprisingly, it's created quite a stir. Here's the official episode summary:
The Dudesons want to know if they can hack it like the original Americans once did, so they have found a Native Indian mentor named Saginaw who has agreed to lead them through seven painful rites of passage. Ranging from a canoe ride from hell to a game of ball busting dominoes with totem poles--even a 911 trip to the hospital won't stop the Dudesons from pursuing their goals of becoming honorary members of the tribe.

Basically, these four Finnish dudes have to go through these phony rites of passage which include: wearing headdresses, "flying like eagles" by driving their SUV off a ramp, and catching fish in their mouths... because, of course, that's how real Indians catch fish, according to Saginaw. *sigh* AIM Santa Barbara contacted MTV about this, and here was their reply:

"We appreciate your recent feedback regarding “The Dudesons In America.”  It is never MTV's intention to offend anyone. The series is about creating lighthearted humor, that at times, could integrate various themes as part of the overall stunt or prank. We take viewer feedback very seriously and thank you for reaching out."

Here's a link to the Newspaper Rock article: http://newspaperrock.bluecorncomics.com/2010/05/cowboys-findians-in-dudesons.html

I got into a heated argument with a young Spaniard a few days ago. It started out by him saying that the history in the USA isn't as old as Europe. I told him that as a nation, the USA's history is young but generally speaking, the history of the Americas go way, way back.

That's where the argument began, by the difference in opinion of history versus pre-history. He even consulted wikpedia (not a reliable source) to which I did see how history was defined versus pre-history. Prior to consulting wikipedia, he argued that history began with writing, he mentioned Mesopotamia, cuneim (sp) form of writing, etc.

I explained that history doesn't begin with writing, unfortunately it did mention that in wikipedia and he said that he was right. I assured him that this is a "western", definitely a "European" concept, and I even asked him if he was into anthropology to which he didn't reply.

But these people just don't see it. They use words like history and pre-history to actually put a date on things. I explained how that's not the case for indigenous people and he mentioned those in the rain forest and how he feels sad for them. I asked this guy why did he feel sad, was it because he felt they weren't as intelligent? I mean this guy made up all kinds of excuses bringing up "technology" so I had to ask him it depends on how he defines what that is really.

To him, technology only meant conveniences. And I said that's exactly what it is, but if we were to give clothing to these people in the forests whom he feels sorry for, and even taught them how to manufacture the clothing themselves, that alone in itself is technology. And then, to these people, it may be a "comfort" but will he still feel sorry for them because they don't have HIS definition of technology which is basically today's modern conveniences for those not living in a forest. I mean, he said some bull about how he felt bad they couldn't read or write and I said to him why does he think these people aren't as smart or that does he really think he's smarter than they are? He insisted that's not what he was saying, but it was actually what he was implying. I know he didn't understand where I was going with that analogy, but basically we can't put a time stamp on these things, especially attached to words. He denied that this doesn't mean the indigenous people aren't smart, but just the fact that he already said he feels sorry for them because he feels they aren't as comfortable as he is, just wreaks of Eurocentrism.

I'm getting sick & tired (my favorite phrase) of encountering people who really feel they are better than us because of their definition of certain words, technology & in their minds as with this guy, feel that history begins from a certain point, and in his case, it begins with writing.

(This is my first real post to this community, aside from commenting on other entries, so hopefully I don't mess up too much!)

I'm sure we've all run into our fair share of ignorance throughout our lives. Non-Natives just don't seem to get us, you know? Most of my interactions with white people have been pleasant, but sometimes you run into someone really ignorant that just makes you either facepalm or wanna punch somebody (or both!). This is the post dedicated to those such moments. They can be funny, sad, enraging, or a mix of the three.

One of my most memorable fails was the first day of kindergarten, when my teacher greeted my Dad by putting her hand up, palm-forward, and saying "How" like in those old Westerns. Of course, my Dad was just kinda like "... *thinking to self* What the shit?!" Thankfully, I transferred out of that kindergarten a few months later.

Also, there was this gem of an exchange in 8th grade with a stupid popular girl:
Girl: Why is your Dad so dark-skinned?
Me: He's Native American.
Girl: *blank stare* Wait, they still exist?
Me: ...Uh, yeah. Yeah we do, actually.
Girl: Oh... I feel bad for you.

There's more than that, but I think this is good for now. Feel free to post your own fails so we can all laugh at the sheer ignorance. (mods, if this needs to be put under a cut or something, I apologize! I've never done this before ^^")

You use the phrase, "May the force be with you, aye!!!"

Your Jedi robe is beaded.

Wookies are offended by your Buffalo robes.

Your light-saber has duct tape on the handle.

You think "Obi Wan Kenobi" sounds like Ojibwe.

You use your light saber to butcher a buffalo or to open a Bud.

You have at least one land-speeder up on blocks in your yard.

At least one wing of your "rezzed out" X-wing fighter is primer colored and your transmitter is a clothes hanger.

The worst part of eating with Yoda is eating his commodity food.

You discover that Ewoks taste like dogs.

You have used the force to get your tape recorder to work so you could record that new 49 song.

You have a dream catcher in the window of your land-speeder and/or X-wing fighter.

You have to get in from the passenger's side of your X-wing fighter and start it with a screwdriver.

You have to use pliers to work the doors of your X-Wing and a screwdriver to start it up.

You suggest that the Millennium Falcon is outfitted with a trailer hitch.

You have ever had your R2D2 unit use its self-defense electro-shock thingy to give yourself a perm.

Although you had to kill him, you kinda thought that Jabba the Hutt had a pretty good handle on how to deal with people who stole from him.

The last thing you said before killing him was, "Take that, commod-bod!"

You have a cousin who bears a strong resemblance to Commander Chokotay (oh, wait, that's "Star Trek: Voyager," never mind).

You fantasize over Princess Leah's fry bread looking head.

You could single out the only person drinking Twister during the cantina scene.

You were at the cantina to do some snagging.

After finally learning the ways and power of the Force, after years of grueling study and contemplative meditation, the first thing you uttered was, "Ho-wah!"

If you hear, "Luke, I am your father.....and your councilman."

Your council man has told you, "Come over to the Darkside...selling out ain't bad, enit."

Used the force to negotiate with the Federal Government.