The Hollywood Indian, a term I define as a complete false representation of the Indigenous people of this land.
I believe we have come along way in cinema but still there are those that refuse to look into the true representations of Native culture. I say refuse but perhaps that the film makers just do not want to take the time or spend funding on a consultant to add the true representation in their films. They choose to take the easy way out and continue to use the Hollywood Indian Tribes.
On a couple of my films, I was sent to “Makeup” to get “Dirtied up” to make me look like a filthy savage that never baths and teeth that looks like they are about to fall out of my head. I wondered if they were going to have me run around beating on my lips and raising my hand in greetings saying, “How White Man”.
In the back of my mind, I have wondered if I should have refused and just walked off the set. Instead, I stayed and considered it a great opportunity to teach them some of the truths about the Native culture. As I was being applied with make-up I informed them of the truths of hygiene and the Natives compared to the European culture and their hygiene habits. I took the time to educate others on set as well. I became an advisor on several issues regarding the “Costume”, accessories and hair while on set.
When I was cast for the role on the film Jonah Hex and Unearthed, the casting notice was for Native or “Native look”. On both films as extras, I believe I and maybe one other was of Native blood, the rest of the tribe was of Hispanic and Asian decent. Now, it’s not that they chose them over Native heritage; it’s that no other Natives came to audition for these roles. If we are to move forward in the film industry, I think it’s important for us to look into roles requiring Natives and to educate those on set about the true representation of the accuracy of the indigenous people of this land.
Alan Eaglewolf Bryant
My name is Alan Eaglewolf Bryant, I am Cherokee. I attend renaissance festivals, schools and scout troops teaching the ways of the indigenous people of this nation, misconceptions of the Hollywood Indians and focus mainly on the giving the gift of respect and in turn receiving the gifts of pride and honor. I am an actor as well as model appearing on Cassie Edwards historical romance novels. I was told that I was the first Native American to appear as a Native on the covers of this genre of Historical Romance Novels. Please visit this site to help those on Indian Reservations http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=airc_index
Tags: Asian, Cassie Edwards, Cherokee, Costume, Culture, Hispanic, How, Jonah Hex, Makeup, Native, Native look, Representation, Teach, Tribes, Unearthed, White Man
Osiyo Alan!
Just wanted to get you some info about those films, they did contact other Indians and we did audition but were not local and as such would not be paid but $60 a day and have to pay all our way, food, gas and hotels! I was booked as the Medicine Man on Unearthed and also on Jonah Hex. Unearthed would have been one day they said at $60 although I would have to pay to come from Oklahoma and cover my stay for a week…all for $60. Just couldn’t afford it! I would have done it anyway if I could have afforded it though! lol Same with Jonah Hex, had to come down a week early but stay a week before shooting started, then pay my own way for local hire pay. So, the Natives are trying but just not getting the pay the other actors are. I filmed for 12 hours Monday for free here in OKC! Hopefully they will pay for real native talent soon! I have several I am taping auditions for now and hopefully they will pay properly!
Good luck on your films!
Jeff S. Anderson
http://p_5e8863.nowcasting.com
Boozhoo!!!
I tend to notice the same old Hides in the Movies. We , (other natives) are trying to make a break in the industry. Unfortunately, the avenues are limited, here in Louisiana especially. I worked on Unearthed, where the Principals, were asian,or something else. The crew for the most part were respectful, but, others, had an uppity attitude if you were’nt in the union. Personally, I could care less about some union! It seemed yet another class Hierarchy, Typical of Native to non-native relations. I happen to be well educated, and am considered talented by others around me. I believe hardwork and perserverance will eventually pay off for me. But, until then I’ll leave it in the Great Spirit’s plan. Good Luck to all my Red brothers out there! Giga wabamin miin awaa! (I will see you again!) David Fairbanks
Thanks for this film and your insights. I guess I’m like many: white grew up totally romanticizing native culture. A bit Iron Eyes perhaps. As a kid I donated money to a catholic, I’m Italian-American, Indian school in Montana, made sand-paintings in my driveway and collected every Sugar Smacks cereal box, which ran a series on tribes back in the ’70s. My daughter and I saw the film this weekend and were rapt by its content.
I teach high school in Vermont, a very homogeneous culture, racially but very diverse in terms of class. We read some Alexie, Erdrich. I was wondering if Alexie was excluded consciously from the project, or another reason?
Thanks again for your powerful voice
Thanks for the kind words!
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