Step aside, Superman. The Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis is hosting a one-day program on "Native American Portrayals in Comics." From Turok to Tribal Force, BIG CHIEF WAHOO to SCALPED, the spotlight will shine on seven decades of Indians in "funny books."

To be held March 10 from 10 am to 4 pm, "Native American Portrayals in Comics" will center on a series of panel discussions. A sterling lineup of panelists will:

• Explore Native American roles and stereotypes in comics
• Examine how Native comics differ from mainstream comics
• Show budding creators how to turn their storylines and illustrations into comics

The creative talent scheduled for "Native American Portrayals in Comics" includes:

• Robert Schmidt, publisher of Blue Corn Comics, editor at PECHANGA.net, and a frequent writer on Native stereotypes and other issues
• Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), a digital and visual media specialist who has written a book titled Native Americans in Comic Books
• Steve Sanderson, an animation artist of Cree descent who wrote and drew the DARKNESS CALLS comic for the Healthy Aboriginal Network
• Richard Van Camp (Tlicho First Nation), a writer and critic whose works have appeared in anthologies and journals since 1992
• Greg Reinhardt, professor of anthropology at the University of Indianapolis, who is writing a book titled Picturing Indians
• Robin McBride Scott, an artist of Cherokee descent, who has a huge collection of comics with Native characters and imagery

Rounding out "Native American Portrayals in Comics" will be a showcase of Native comics and images, a Native cartoon video, demonstrations by caricature artists, local and regional comic vendors, and more. From academics to artists and writers to parents and children, March 10 will be an enlightening and fun-filled day for everyone.

"An event of this kind is long overdue," said Schmidt, who publishes PEACE PARTY, a multicultural comic featuring Pueblo Indians. "For centuries we've seen the Indian only through his reflection in the white man's accounts. Now we'll see how the world looks through the lens of Indian comics."

For more information on "Native American Portrayals in Comics," contact:

Pete Brown
Public Programs Coordinator
Eiteljorg Museum
500 West Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 275-1337

For interviews or background information on Indians in comics, contact:

Rob Schmidt
Publisher
Blue Corn Comics
robschmidt@compuserve.com
http://www.bluecorncomics.com

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