Many Feathers and Much Paint Don't Make an Indian

What's in a nickname?  Lots, say American Indians 1988 Aug 20 Pensacola News Journal  SUZAN HARJO “The problem is deadly serious. These names serve to diminish an entire people.” – Suzan Harjo, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians.   “The educated white man of the 16th century engaged in a philosophical argument about whether Indians were really human beings,” Harjo says. “I thought the issue had been decided long ago. But it appears some still think we are not exactly people.” When asked if a school couldn’t be called the Indians, how can a pro football team be the Minnesota Vikings, Harjo responded: “They no longer sail in their longships or worship Odin. But Indians do still wear the same dress and have the same beliefs. To use our tribal dress and sacred rites at football games is to say that our way of life, like the Vikings’, is gone. It’s as though we have only a past – no present and no future.”  OREN LYONS “Racism is still racis

"The enhancement and perpetuation of stereotype motifs of the Indian as drunken, savage, treacherous, unreliable or child-like produces impeding effects on the employability of the Indian and his opportunities for education." - The National Congress of American Indians, 1968  (Source 1968 May 8. The Daily Telegram. ) 1968 May 8. The Daily Telegram.  "Indians are only allowed to adapt themselves to superficial things in the predominant society, like alcohol and cars and television sets," said a participant of the Indian Health Institute at Idaho State University, March 1968. "The security of a respected cultural background and a good job are denied the Indian."  (Source: 1968 March 11. Idaho State Journal. ) 1968 March 11. Idaho State Journal.  Indians Hit New Warpath  To Polish Tarnished Image 1969 March 16. Florida Today.        "We feel the Indian is intelligent enough to compete at all levels," said Earl Old Person, head chi

1969 Oct 22 Arizona Republic  I enjoyed reading your editorial, Oct 18, "Vindicating Jim Thorpe," concerning my father and the resolution that I wrote and personally submitted to the National Congress of American Indians for their adoption.       My main purpose in helping get Dad's records back on the official 1912 Olympic books is the hope that his athletic achievements may serve as an inspiration for all aspiring athletes, but in particular for our American Indian youth.       Which reminds me that Phoenix Union High School has been pressured into presenting two special courses for Negroes and Mexican-Americans. Why have they not included a course for the smallest, quietest, most in need of help, minority group - the American Indian?       Do our Indian teen-agers attending the Phoenix public schools have to resort to violence, also, in order to make their needs known? -- Grace F. Thorpe (Sac and Fox Indian) 1969 Oct 22 Arizona Republic  Vindicating Jim T

'Honorary Injun chief' loses feathers Indignant Indians on warpath,  scalp Phoenix businessman by Ben Cole 1969 Sept 27   Arizona Republic         Washington - Indignant Indians have successfully protested to a Phoenix businessman that a "certificate" making the holder an "Honorary Injun Chief" is offensive to their race.       But the organization of original Americans failed when it tried to ahve the picture of a famous Indian chief taken out of a Scottsdale tavern window.       Robert Petley, of Petley Studios in Phoenix, has promised the National Council of American Indians that he will withdraw the just-for-fun certificate from publication.         The NCAI protested to Petley after receiving a letter from Mike Caravello of San Francisco calling attention to the certificate.       The text of the certificate, which the NCAI found offensive, said:       "Ugh! Him come to Injun country, pay much wampum for Injun relics and curio