Pocahontas, Avatar, Dances With Wolves, Tanto
•Popular images of the stereotypical Indians are ingrained in the general public’s minds. When they think of a “real” Indian, they most likely think of a noble savage warrior in full tribal dress are of Indians as they are portrayed in movies such as Disney’s Pocahontas (1995), Avatar (2009), Dances with Wolves (1990), and the up-and-coming movie The Lone Ranger (2013) as well as the photographs of the highly acclaimed photographer Edward S. Curtis; all of which propagate the image of the noble savage and help reinforce the general public’s misunderstanding of what constitutes Native identity.
The idealized Native American is put on a pedestal and all real present Indians have to conform to this model of perfection, something which is not only unrealistic but also dehumanizing. It is important that the public realizes that these types of stereotypes represent in main culture, although appear to be flattering, are just as damaging as stereotypes of the lazy, rich Indian.
There are many Native American who are making a stand against the overly generalized image of Indian Identity that is propagated through movies, images, and stories. The website Living Voices (see link below) has a host of miniature interviews of Native people who are actively dismantling the stereotypes of Indian Identity. One such person featured in the website, is Apache sculptor Bob Haozous who through his works challenges not only Americans perception of Indian identity, but American Identity itself. Some also make a stand by educating the public about Indian concerns, such as blogger Adriene K. who discusses issue about the way that the image of Native Americans has been used to maintain.
Thus, as Haozous states, it is not within the power of non-tribal people to determine the identity of the other; the power, instead, lies within Native people t “I do not believe non-tribal people can honestly speak for indigenous people” – Bob Haozous
Popular images of the stereotypical Indians are ingrained in the general public’s minds. When they think of a “real” Indian, they most likely think of a noble savage warrior in full tribal dress are of Indians as they are portrayed in movies such as Disney’s Pocahontas (1995), Avatar (2009), Dances with Wolves (1990), and the up-and-coming movie The Lone Ranger (2013) as well as the photographs of the highly acclaimed photographer Edward S. Curtis; all of which propagate the image of the noble savage and help reinforce the general public’s misunderstanding of what constitutes Native identity.
The idealized Native American is put on a pedestal and all real present Indians have to conform to this model of perfection, something which is not only unrealistic but also dehumanizing. It is important that the public realizes that these types of stereotypes represent in main culture, although appear to be flattering, are just as damaging as stereotypes of the lazy, rich Indian.
There are many Native American who are making a stand against the overly generalized image of Indian Identity that is propagated through movies, images, and stories. The website Living Voices (see link below) has a host of miniature interviews of Native people who are actively dismantling the stereotypes of Indian Identity. One such person featured in the website, is Apache sculptor Bob Haozous who through his works challenges not only Americans perception of Indian identity, but American Identity itself. Some also make a stand by educating the public about Indian concerns, such as blogger Adriene K. who discusses issue about the way that the image of Native Americans has been used to maintain.
Side picture: http://memory.loc.gov/award/iencurt/cp03/cp03002r.jpg
http://nmai.si.edu/livingvoices/voices.html
http://www.bobhaozous.com/artworkINSTALLATIONS/index.htm
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/award98/ienhtml/curthome.html