BEHIND THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS LOGO: CONFLICTING IMAGES OF NATIVE
AMERICANS
by
Richard Hill (Tuscarora) American Studies, SUNY Buffalo
Historically, popular culture has used images of Native Americans in such
diverse areas as cartoons, Hollywood movies, sports team logos, brand names,
and museum exhibitions. These symbols either reinvent the past or reconfirm
stereotypes, and they make it difficult to separate the reality of the Native
American experience from the conflicting images of savagery and nobility.
In a slide illustrated lecture, Richard Hill, a Tuscarora Indian,
traces the origins and development of these stereotypes. Beginning with the
images created by the European explorers and early American artists, and
continuing through the current characterizations in the media, Mr. Hill
examines how historical and contemporary depictions have influenced the
public's perception of Native Americans. He concludes with a discussion of
how Indians are coping with these stereotypes. (Code 426-211) Wed., Nov. 9, 8
PM, Lecture Hall, S. Dillon Ripley Center, Members-$9.00, Non-Members-$12.00
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NATIVE AMERICAN SCIENCE:
An Alternative System
by
Clara Sue Kidwell
Assoc. Dir. of Cultural Resources
Nat. Museum of the American Indian
Through the ages, different cultures have developed a wide variety of
systems to explain the natural phenomena around them and to understand their
place in the natural world. In the West, modern science, with its emphasis on
objective truth, represents the most recent version of one such system.
Unlike European scientists, Native Americans blended rituals and beliefs with
systematic observation of the environment to interpret the surrounding world.
When Christopher Columbus embarked on his voyage, Europeans believed,
as did the ancestors of the Hopi, that the Earth was the center of the
universe. For Europeans the sun revolved around the Earth. For the Hopi, the
sun actually lived in the world, and their ceremonies were integral to the
sun's ability to continue providing heat and light.
In this thought provoking lecture Clara Sue Kidwell explores how
Native Americans interpreted their knowledge of natural events with the human
relationship to the universe. Drawing upon examples of Native American
beliefs and traditions, she contrasts these with the European scientific
method to illuminate cultural differences and similarities. (Code
426-213)Tues., Nov. 15, 6 PM, Members $9.00, Non-Members $12.00, Lecture
location is indicated on ticket.
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JOY HARJO AND POETIC JUSTICE
American Indian Heritage Month Performance
Intro. by Joseph Bruchac
Music echos the message, and poetry resonates to the rhythms of jazz,
in a rare East Coast performance of the compelling quintet Poetic Justice.
Award winning poet Joy Harjo, three glittering saxophones, a Lakota drum, and
a mix of electric strings create an original and innovative musical style
rooted in spoken verse. In powerful tone-poems like Harjo's "My House Is the
Red Earth", repeated blues phrases underscore poetic recitations filled with
bittersweet images of American Indian life and myth.
Based in the Southwest-New Mexico and Arizona-the band members bring a
wealth of experience to the music. Joy Harjo (saxophone and poetry) is an
enrolled member of the Muscogee Tribe and the author of several books of
poetry, including "She Had Some Horses" and the aclaimed "In Mad Love and
War". Bassist John Williams (Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux) has played in a variety
of reggae, Indian and Latin bands. His sister Susan Williams is Poetic
Justice's drummer; Frank Poocha (Hopi/Pima) performs on keyboards and vocals;
and Willie Bluehouse Johnson (Isleta Pueblo/Navajo) plays guitar. All are
working professionals, in either education or the law.
Poetic Justice has performed throughout the U.S., and was featured on
Indian Airobics, recorded by Radio Smithsonian and the Native American Public
Broadcasting Consortium, a companion program to the acclaimed radio series
"Spirits of the Present: The Legacy from Native America". Joseph Bruchac
well-known author and storyteller, introduces the evening. His "Smithsonian"
magazine article on the New York opening of the National Museum of the
American Indian appears in the magazine's Nov. issue. His latest book is
"Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants Through Native American Stories and Earth
Activities for Children", co-authored with Michael J. Caduto and published by
Fulcrum. (Code 926-602) Fri., Nov. 18, 7:30 PM, Baird Auditorium, Natural
History Bldg., Members $13.00; Non-Members $17.00, Full Time Students with
ID's $10.00
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FREE VIDEOS FOR FAMILIES-American Indian Heritage Month
Three dynamic childrens videos:
"Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back" - Joseph Bruchac and Jonathon London
Mythology of the 13 moons of the year, each legend is taken from the
tradition of a different Native American tribe, recounting how the people
related the cycles of the moon to the seasons.
"The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush"
Shows the vital role that Mother Earth plays in the lives of the
Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. A colorful sunset is the backdrop as the Red
Willow People make pottery clay and paint, and dance traditional dances.
"Arrow to the Sun"
Tells the story of a boy's search for his father, which leads him on a
dazzling voyage, in this animated tale from the Acoma Pueblo Indians.
(Code 725-091) Sun. Nov. 13, 2:00-3:00 PM, Lecture Hall S. Dillon Ripley
Center, Free. Members Only. Tickets required in advance. Suggested minimum
age is 5 years.
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MAKING SIOUX MOCCASINS
American Indian Heritage Month - Adult-Child Workshop
...young artists learn how to make authentic Sioux moccasins out of
leather. Led by Don Tenoso, a Lakota artist working on the Sioux Tribal
catalog at the National Museum of Natural History, participants discover how
to create two varieties of Sioux moccasins. They explore the symbolism and
tribal differences of moccasin designs as they learn the different patterns
and construction for making male and female moccasins. After viewing
photographs of historic moccasins for inspiration, participants work in
adult-child teams to choose the design, color, and beadwork for their
personalized moccasins. (Code 726-193) Sat. Nov. 12, 10:00-12:00 Noon (Ages
8-12) Young Associates $34.00, Non-Members $45.00 Fee covers tuition for one
adult and one child.
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These events are going on at the Smithsonian Instit. in Washington,
D.C. during Nov.- write for tickets to: Smithsonian Assoc. - Lecture Series,
Smithsonian Instit., Dept. 0603
Washington, D.C., 20073-0603
Make checks payable to Smithsonian Instit.-RAP, or use the plastic - call
(202)357-3030 for info.
Submitted by John Berry - from the "Smithsonian Associate" Vol. 23,
No.2, October 1994.