Essay on The Stanford University Pow Wow

When the subject of Native American characters comes up in conversation, most picture Tonto from the film The Lone Ranger. However, many don’t realize how the film industry has created a stereotype that has affected generations of Native Americans. From mascots to logos of tobacco and other products, the early westerns have help mold minds into placing Native Americans into something they are not. The documentary Reel Injun help shed light on the subject as well as raise awareness to how these films have not only created a stereotype, but in a way allowed the Native American culture to become nothing but a myth.

Although, the ritual has been passed on from generation to generation, how the Navajo rituals are ways of communication has been questioned by so many. Many believe that it way for the patient to come into “…harmony…

Popular culture has shaped our understanding and perception of Native American culture. From Disney to literature has given the picture of the “blood thirsty savage” of the beginning colonialism in the new world to the “Noble Savage,” a trait painted by non-native the West (Landsman and Lewis 184) and this has influenced many non native perceptions. What many outsiders do not see is the struggle Native American have on day to day bases. Each generation of Native American is on a struggle to keep their traditions alive, but to function in school and ultimately graduate.

The dispute over whether Native American mascots should be used as a team symbol dates back to the 1970’s (Price 2). People differ on the basic issue, but there is a more important underlying principle. It is

Postmedia News released an article named "A Tribe Called Red Bring Culture, Politics to Club Music" in November 5, 2012 by a Stuart Derdeyn. The article presents a view into the underground world of "Pow Wow Step", which is a recently new trend in genre due to the popularity of electronic music .This recent genre is presented by a group named in the title, A Tribe Called Red (or ATCR) are involved in the intricacy of traditional views of Native culture and contemporary views, which incorporates both of these elements by having the perspective of the concept that culture has to evolve with the change that we have in our modern era.

The dispute over whether Native American mascots should be used as a team symbol dates back to the 1970’s (Price 2). There are those who are passionately against Native American mascots. These advocators insist that Native American mascots are degrading to

     Many people do not consider themselves supporting Native American mascots that depict them in a bad manner. But when people walk around with a Atlanta Braves shirt on with a Indian with a tomahawk in his hand, it is degrading to the Indians. It is stereotyping them. School mascots and Sports team’s mascots are named after groups of people for no reason known. Notre Dame was founded by Irish Catholics, but their sports team was named the Fighting Irish. The name Fighting Irish has nothing to do with the Irish Catholics, it depicts them in a wrong way.(Price, 3). Team names can be changed to similar names that do not depict certain groups of people. Like the Redskins can be called the Red Hawks or the

Former chair of the Los Angeles Native American Commission, Jack Shakley, in his argument, “Indian Mascots-You’re Out!” disputes whether Native American mascots should be allowed to be the face of American sports teams. Shakley’s purpose is to convey the idea that is insensitive to have Native Americans as mascots. Jack Shakley uses a passionate tone to show readers that not only is using a Native American mascot racist, but it is wrong and should be changed to a less offensive mascot. Shakley starts off using pathos to the readers by telling a story from his childhood. In the article, Shakley demonstrates the ability to use strong pathos and logos arguments to support his claims that we should get rid of Native American mascots and steam names.

The American Psychological Association had found that using representation of the mascots “undermines the educational experiences of members of all communities- especially those who have had little or no contact with Indigenous peoples” (APA). When people view a culture being paraded as a mascot, it can become their singular view and knowledge on the ethnic group. There is nothing to stop the formulation of what students know about Native Americans when there are few natives around. With the allowance of mascots to represent Native American in a way as they do now, wearing headdresses or war paint and using “peace pipes” has become a trend and something “cool” to do. Headdresses are traditionally a part of the Plains tribes and are considered sacred. Only revered warriors or significant people could wear war bonnets or headdresses. Feathers, especially eagle feathers, are very sacred to Native Americans. These appropriations continue to be a negative and demeaning aspect of using Native Americans as

Native Americans celebrate a lot of traditions but one of the most popular celebration is Pow wows. Pow wows are also a time to extend native american culture and preserve the rich heritage of american indians. According to the article, What is a Pow wow, “A pow wow is gathering for many different communities”. Native americans have a diverse culture. Some say that Pow wows stand for an “American Indian medicine man”. Pow wows celebrate people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones.

Upon my arrival, the Powwow was about to start. Before finding a seat I observed some other aspects of the Powwow. On the walkway of the Lloyd Noble Center were multiple vendors. These vendors were selling homemade art and other various crafts. Food was also being sold within this area and on one location on the floor. On the floor of the Lloyd Noble Center was an array of things. Tribal members, dancers, drummers, and singers were all located on the floor. A stage was also set up for the M.C. (Master of

Native Americans make up less than .9% of the United States population. With this trivial number, it is difficult to keep its culture and traditions alive as generations progress. In the short story “War Dances,” author Sherman Alexie morns the loss of Native American identity through a deprecating tone which illustrate a divide between generations.

Like a coin dropped between the cushions of a couch, traditional oral storytelling is a custom fading away in current American culture. For Native Americans, however, the practice of oral storytelling is still a tradition that carries culture and rich history over the course of generations. Three examples of traditional oral stories, “How Men and Women Got Together”, “Coyote’s Rabbit Chase”, and “Corn Mother”, demonstrate key differences in perspectives and values among diverse native tribes in America.

Indeed, the answer of this question aims at examining the significance of the Hmong community of Saint Paul and their efforts to maintain their cultural practices and identity within the American culture by the organization of a Hmong Festival. The organization of this festival is the reflect of a successful dialogue between the Hmong cultural minority of Minnesota with the local government. It symbolizes therefore the possibility for other Hmong community all around the world to be engaged in a dialogue with the local government to be recognized

In this short clip from an episode in the comedic cartoon the parents, Louis and Peter, are taking their daughter, Meg, to a college fair when Peter notices a college mascot of a drunken Indian. The representation of Native Americans as mascots for colleges and sports teams is currently a huge debate in modern society. More and more teams/schools are changing their mascots to something that is more culturally appropriate and doesn’t depict Natives in a harmful way.