There has been a lot of talk about the portrayal of American Indians on the MTV network channels. Specifically the show called “The Dudesons.”
I am interested in a story diving into the portrayals represented and both sides of the story. The below information was sent to us.
I guess you know various people from different tribes along with the NAACP and African-Americans are protesting the awards because of the way you have portrayed us in the media. As a Native American, I would hope that MTV (who’s founder was from Tulsa, Okla. by the way) will do the right thing and apologize for what you have done.
People don’t think we are still alive and well in America, but we are. Had you done this to any other race, you would have seen more protests and heard from even more people. We do intend to contact all sponsors of MTV and boycott their products if MTV does not issue an immediate apology to all Native Americans.
I am also contacting Mary Tyler Moore and other Native Americans such as Carrie Underwood is Muskogee Creek and other Native American celebrities such as Demi Moore (Cherokee), Rita Coolidge (Cherokee), Avatar’s Wes Studi (Cherokee), Delayna Studi (Cherokee), the Native American wolfpack cast of Eclipse, actor Adam Beach (Cree), Linda Imperial (Creek), Willie Nelson (Cherokee), Cher (Cherokee), James Earl Jones (Cherokee), Litefoot (Cherokee), Native American Jefferson Starship members I know, Neil Young, and many more celebrities you do not even realize are Native Americans.
Regardless of what MTV thinks, our voices will be heard or our your sponsors will feel an economic impact from our boycotts and you will receive the same negative publicity Arizona has for their racist immigration laws.
Sincerely,
Jay Red Eagle
Cherokee tribe of Oklahoma
http://www.myspace.com/redeaglejay
This could also go with a bunch of e-mails received about the show “The Dudesons” http://www.thedudesons.com.
Some information also came from: Michael Fairbanks, Director
American Indian Movement Santa Barbara, CA
Chief Migizi describing the choices left to his people after their homelands had been overtaken:
First, Walk into the lakes and die; Second, March aimlessly into the wilderness never to return; And Third, Fight for the amelioration of these wrongs”
Chief Migizi 1901 Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
http://www.youtube.com/user/aimsb1214
http://www.myspace.com/aimsantabarbara
Story should be in the 700-800 word range and deadline is Aug. 13.
If interested e-mail kpolisse@indiancountry.com. [Subject: Native American portrayal on MTV]