Producers at work creating Indian superhero
Trying to stay as indy as possible

Sam Lewin 9/2/2004

It's a bird…it's a plane…it's… Tiki?

If a couple of Hollywood-types have their way, Tiki will someday be as popular as the legendary Man of Steel. Producers David Skinner and Zxelan Bonn are working on bringing Tinsletown's first ever-Indian hero to the big screen. The idea for the plot is that by day Tiki is the unassuming Dr. Bluewater, an Indian gaming attorney who champions Native American issues, underdogs, and tribal casinos. At night he turns into a mysterious shaman with mystical powers, recruiting new apprentices for the storied path back to nature.

"He's a marvelous role model with a unique viewpoint that challenges many common belief systems of the so called 'educated human.' Tiki believes in what works, not political or social correctness, and that's very refreshing for a lot of people," said Bonn. "And he's smart as hell, very funny, and an eccentric casino lawyer to boot-not anything close to some ridiculous stereotype image built in yesteryear films."

Imagine the possibilities! A powerful superhero engaging in an epic clash with Oklahoma Representative Wayne Pettigrew over his staunch opposition to gaming, or single-handedly forcing One Nation officials to actually respond to requests from Indian newspapers for comment by confronting them inside of a QuickTrip.

Even Skinner and Bonn think that is a little too premature. The duo is still looking for funding for the project.

"We're seeking financing from the Native American gaming community, hoping they will see the uplifting cultural value of having a Native American hero who helps wipe out negative stereotypes and works to restore pride in cultural heritage to Indians of all tribal nations-indeed, all Americans," said Bonn. "This guy is so cool every kid in America will want to be Tiki. The potential is definitely there."

The two say they want to be as independent as possible, with authentic American Indians involved in the project.

"We're going to push for a Native American director, possibly someone like Graham Greene who has a lot of film experience working both dramatic and comedic elements," said Bonn.

"If we go with traditional studio financing, we'll likely lose control to the suits," said Skinner. "We want a film dealing with Native Americans to be a project crafted and acted largely by Native Americans. In order to do that, we need some major backing from the Native American community-especially finance, talent and leadership."

Firelight Films can be contacted at firelightfilms@yahoo.com and is encouraging anyone, especially Native Americans and potential financial supporters who may wish to get involved with this project, to briefly described how they would like to help using a maximum three sentence inquiry with the subject heading: Project R&T.

Help create the first Indian superhero
Request for help carries monetary reward

Sam Lewin 12/14/2004

A couple of months back, the Native Americans Times told you about an innovative effort to introduce what will apparently be the world's first authentic Native American superhero.

Now, the creators of the project are looking for help. Officials say they are seeking symbol art to be used for a new merchandising fund drive and that contestants from the Native American and First Nations People community are encouraged to apply.

First, a refresher on what "Tiki" is all about. The idea for the plot is that by day Tiki is the unassuming Dr. Bluewater, an Indian gaming attorney who champions Native American issues, underdogs, and tribal casinos. At night he turns into a mysterious shaman with mystical powers, recruiting new apprentices for the storied path back to nature.

Producers David Skinner and Zxelan Bonn are the brains behind the endeavor.

"He's a marvelous role model with a unique viewpoint that challenges many common belief systems of the so called 'educated human.' Tiki believes in what works, not political or social correctness, and that's very refreshing for a lot of people," said Bonn. "And he's smart as hell, very funny, and an eccentric casino lawyer to boot-not anything close to some ridiculous stereotype image built in yesteryear films."

The winner of the art contest will receive $100 cash prize, authorship, pride in seeing their work produced and sold by a national charity, and the opportunity to provide future paid art services to the organization, said officials.

For more details visit Kon Ticci International at www.konticci.org/art_contest.

"I hate it when they interfere," Dustin Hoffman's creative-type character said in the movie "Wag the Dog", echoing a sentiment that is frequently felt when dealing with big shots in Tinsletown. But Tiki's creators see a way to get around that. Bonn and Skinner say they want to be as authentic as possible, a strategy that serves two goals- the leeway to involve Native Americans in the creative process and freeing the project from Hollywood constraints.

"We're going to push for a Native American director, possibly someone like Graham Greene who has a lot of film experience working both dramatic and comedic elements,"saidBonn.

"If we go with traditional studio financing, we'll likely lose control to the suits," said Skinner. "We want a film dealing with Native Americans to be a project crafted and acted largely by Native Americans. In order to do that, we need some major backing from the Native American community-especially finance, talent and leadership."

"We're seeking financing from the Native American gaming community, hoping they will see the uplifting cultural value of having a Native American hero who helps wipe out negative stereotypes and works to restore pride in cultural heritage to Indians of all tribal nations-indeed, all Americans," said Bonn. "This guy is so cool every kid in America will want to be Tiki. The potential is definitely there."

Sam,

FYI, Tiki the first Native superhero is not the first Native superhero by a long shot. Several websites including mine document the existence of dozens of Native superheroes since the 1960s. E.g., Red Wolf, Thunderbird, Shaman, Moonstar, Forge, Butcher, Rainmaker, Tribal Force, Koda the Warrior, and my own Peace Party. If you count Turok the Dinosaur Hunter as a (super)hero, you could say they've been around since the 1950s. There have been Native superheroes on TV as well: the Super Friends' Apache Chief, BraveStarr, and Super Shamou in Canada.

And not all these characters have been cliched or stereotypical. In fact, some have been remarkably complex and stereotype-free.

If you want more background on the history and development of Native superheroes, or on Native stereotypes in general, I'd be glad to help you. Give me a call at (310) 641-8931 anytime.

Rob Schmidt
Publisher
PEACE PARTY