Indigenous Peoples of North America
Are you wondering what these images have in common?
They are historical movies and books that misrepresent the Indigenous Peoples of America.
Pocahontas, made in 1995, is a film based on the real-life story of Pocahontas, a Native American woman belonging to the Powhatan people. However, the authors have taken some liberties regarding the romance between the main character and John Smith, the first permanent English settlement in North America, and the features of the same Pocahontas, who is shown with European features that romanticize colonialism and glosses over the tragic killings and violence.
Another example of misrepresentation is provided by "The Lone Ranger," a film made in 2013. Johnny Depp, while playing a Native American character, Tonto, portrays harmful stereotypes of Native Americans as mystical and stoic.
Also, some books are filled with stereotypes of Native Americans being primitive and ignorant. "The Education of Little Tree," by Forrest Carter, is marked as an autobiographical account of a Cherokee boy raised by his grandparents. Still, it was later revealed as a lie and written by a white supremacist.
Unfortunately, these are just a few examples of arts misrepresenting Indigenous Peoples of America. Learning about others and cultures should be a human responsibility because it will help create a society that values diversity and accurate representation.
So, let's take our time and learn about these groups!
A few of the many tribes of North America are:
Cherokee
The Cherokee tribe has a long and complex history, and it has been a part of many historical events you may remember from history class, such as The Trail of Tears. In 1830, the US government forced thousands of Cherokee people to leave their ancestral lands in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, etc. It forced them to walk hundreds of miles to the Indian Territory present day, Oklahoma, where the Cherokee Nation still resides today. One year later, the Cherokee tribe stood up for its rights and courageously argued that they were a sovereign nation. This event marked history, now known as the Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.
This tribe is also famous for inventing the Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper published by a Native American tribe in 1828 and written in both Cherokee and English.
The Cherokee people use the Basketry for the Green Corn Ceremony, a very important tradition: it's held to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the bounty of the Earth. During the Green Corn Ceremony, the Cherokee partake in the Stomp Dance.
Inuit
Inuit is a tribe in the Arctic region with a long and rich history that has been misrepresented for so long. Inuit means "people" or "the people" in the Inuit language. Inuit can survive in harsh conditions since they inhabit the Arctic regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. They are skilled hunters and have many beautiful arts made of stone, bone, and ivory. Another feature of the Inuit is their brilliant storytelling tradition: Michael Kusugak is a fantastic storyteller of Inuit descent.
Some important moments in Inuit history are:
- The Thule Migration. Ancestors of the Inuit tribe during the 1200s migrated from Alaska to Canada and Greenland, becoming the Inuit we know today. The Thule Migration also established The Thule culture.
- The arrival of Christian missionaries in the 19th century. Today, many Inuit follow Christianity.
- The establishment of Nunavut. On April 1, 1999, the Canadian government established the territory of Nunavut, home to many Inuit communities. This was a big day in Inuit history because the Inuit had control over their land and resources.
Tlingit
The Tlingit people have lived on North America's Pacific and Northwest Coast for thousands of years! This is why in the Na-Dene language, "Tlingit" means "people of the tides": it reflects the Tlingit people's close relationship with the ocean; they are skilled at canoe building, too.
Like many other Pacific Northwest indigenous groups, one of the main traditions is the Potlatch. The Potlatch is a gift-giving celebration with dancing and important events.
A great difference resides in the society: Tlingit has a Matriarchal Society with women having leading roles!
An important event in Tlingit history is the contact with Russia that led to the Battle of Sitka. Battle of Sitka, also known as the Tlingit War, was fought in 1804 against Russian forces who drove the Russians out of their territory but were eventually defeated. Sadly, like many indigenous people, the Tlingit were subjected to colonization and assimilation. This meant the colonizers sent many Tlingit children to boarding schools, where they were forbidden to speak their language and express their culture through dance, art, or food. Luckily, people have put in the effort to help restore the Tlingit language, and in 1971, the Tlingit people were given land alongside other Alaskan natives.
Lumbee
The Lumbee tribe is unique. It is located in North Carolina, USA, and comprises a diverse tribe of Native American, European American, and African American ancestry! Consequently, the language mixes the many ethnic groups' languages, creating their own Lumbee language.
The Lumbee tribe has some great traditions, such as potlucks to share practices of traditional gospel, and has a rich history of storytelling similar to other indigenous tribes.
Unlike the tribes listed before, the Lumbee tribe was not federally recognized until 2021: "...United States House of Representatives voted 240 to 179 for federal recognition for the Lumbee tribe, acknowledging that they are descendants of the historic Cheraw tribe."
Even though they faced discrimination and challenges, the Lumbee people continue to celebrate traditions and take pride in being part of the Lumbee tribe.
Historical Figures:
Lozen
Lozen was a brave female warrior fighting against European invaders for decades, earning the nickname 'Apache Joan of Arc.' She was born around 1840 into the Chihenne Apache band near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. Lozen was mischievous, stealthy, and courageous, as shown by her nickname when she was younger, "dexterous horse thief." These skills she developed would benefit her. She was a master of the bow and a horse rider. She fought in many battles that Apache people praised her for. She was a warrior, a powerful prophetess, defender of the Apache people.
Pocahontas
You've probably heard of Pocahontas, but have you ever known her true story?
Pocahontas (her childhood nickname, "playful one") was born around 1596 and named Amonute. Unlike the Disney movie, Pocahontas was around eleven years old, and the relationship between her and John Smith is up for debate. Some believe the story of Pocahontas saving John Smith was a lie, and others don't. It's unclear if their relationship was romantic, but they interacted with one another. Pocahontas was much more than a love interest for John Smith than the Disney movie suggests. She played a significant role in creating peaceful relationships between her tribe and English settlers. She spoke Powhatan and English, becoming a bridge between Native Americans and Englishmen. She married John Rolfe, converted to Christianity, and changed her name to Rebecca. Later, Pocahontas was presented to King James 1 as an example of "civilizing" Native Americans. Some may think her story is tragic, but others see it as a story of Resistance and Resilience.
Red Cloud
Red Cloud was a leader of the Oglala Lakota tribe and is known for his leadership in the Red Cloud War. He fought against the US government in the 1860s to stop white settlement in the Great Plains. Red Cloud and other Native American leaders negotiated the Treaty of Fort Laramie, which ensured the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills and other lands. However, the US government did not honor the treaty. Red Cloud was a great leader and made sure to keep his tribe's traditions and values from being erased.
Famous Native American celebrities:
Wes Studi
Wes Studi is a Native American (Cherokee Nation) actor and film producer. You might know him from Geronimo: An American Legend.
K. Devery Jacobs
Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs, but most likely known as Devery Jacobs, is an Indigenous Canadian actress and writer. You might have seen her playing Elora in the show Reservation Dogs or Mani in Bootlegger.
Positive works of media about Native Americans:
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Praised for its portrayal of Native American culture and identity.
"Smoke Signals," directed by Chris Eyre
Provides an authentic account of Native American life.
"The Fast Runner," directed by Zacharias Kunuk
Positively portrays the richness and how complex the culture and history of the Inuit tribe are.
"Reservation Dogs" created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi
Shows Native Americans with different perspectives and interests.
Deals with struggles they face and create authentic characters.
"Mohawk Girls" created by Tracey Deer
It shows Indigenous people's lives and their struggles and challenges stereotypes.
As you read, you have probably learned about a tribe or a person you've never heard of or maybe you have, but the story is entirely different. Native American history is long and filled with various tribes with different beliefs, cultures, and languages. After reading this article, I hope you gain a new perspective, eliminate a stereotype you might have believed before, and want to learn and dive deeper into Indigenous people and their history.
Sources:
https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Native-American
https://www.history.com/news/native-american-tribes-facts
https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/
https://visitcherokeenc.com/basket-weaving/
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1303132857502/1534961334399
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Inuit
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tlingit
https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/northwest-coast/tlingit
https://www.sealaskaheritage.org/institute/language/resources
what-makes-someone-native-american-one-tribes-long-struggle-for-full-recognition/