Katrin sent in a delightful video by the 1491s, a sketch comedy troupe that frequently skewers popular representations of Native Americans and their various cultures. The group recently released a new video featuring footage of 1491s member Ryan Red Corn dancing at the Santa Fe Indian Market interspersed with shots of visitors to the market and examples of appropriation of Native cultures, all set to Irving Berlin’s “I’m an Indian Too,” from Annie Get Your Gun. It’s a great send-up of the whole Native-culture-as-fashion-statement trend:
Comments 11
bellacoker — October 1, 2012
This is not the point, but his socks don't match.
Torey Bookstein — October 1, 2012
I really loved this video. It led to a great discussion with my partner, too!
LeilaM12 — October 1, 2012
The Navi/Avatar one is even better.
According to this article, the 1491s are made up of Dallas Goldtooth (Diné/ Dakota), Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Creek), Migizi Pensoneau (Ponca/Ojibwa), Ryan Red Corn (Osage), and Bobby Wilson (Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota).
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/09/02/on-the-cutting-edge-of-native-comedy-with-the-1491s-130943
Wondering — October 2, 2012
I absolutely understand why wearing the headdresses and dressing up as a "Hollywood Indian" is disrespectful, but I was thrown by the inclusion of the t-shirt with (possibly) Haida print. Really? We shouldn't be supporting native artists and crafters?
moe — October 3, 2012
I don't understand the outrage with using a headdress as a costume. What about people wearing sombreros or kimonos? Are these things forbidden too just because they are from another culture?
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[...] American sketch comedy group, were in attendance at the American Indian Society Inaugural Pow Wow. Sociological Images praises their “skewer[ing] of popular representations of Native Americans and their various [...]
Is It Okay To Say “Navajo Ply”? « Redshirt Knitting — March 15, 2013
[...] is as cutting, accurate, or hilarious as this video by sketch comedy troupe The 1491s. It features “footage of 1491s member Ryan Red Corn dancing at the Santa Fe Indian Market interspersed [...]