Another Stereotype of the Month entry:
Another Stereotype of the Month entry:
From activist Terri Jean:
Placing Native people in historical roles is a big problem for today's First Peoples. Nearly every Native American image you see today is of a historical, stereotypical "Indian". Logos, mascots, product packaging, cartoons, television shows, Halloween costumes, movies, books, etc. -- most of these images are relatively the same: an "Indian" wearing a feathered headband or headdress, in fringed suede pants and dresses, braids, and moccasins. The women are sexy and exotically beautiful, while the men are stoic, strong and often bare-chested. These images often depict Native people as highly spiritual, playing in the dirt or riding a horse, looking up at the moon, dancing 'round fire, or shape-shifting into a bear or wolf or owl.
Don't believe me?
The cards produced by Leanin' Tree
Rob's comment
Maiden, dreamcatcher, wolves...you have three bestselling icons in one picture, above. You can't beat that.
Out of nine pages of cards and magnets, only one item doesn't depict a generic or Plains Indian. That one shows a Southwest Indian pueblo.
It's a good guess that none of these items were produced by Native artists. That would make them real Native American products.
Related links
New Age mystics, healers, and ceremonies
Indian women as sex objects
Romanticized Indians
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