Trans-Bridge Bus Lines Mascot, "Hi-Yo"

This guy comes to us from reader Chris, who spotted a Trans-Bridge bus sporting the logo in Pennsylvania. The "about us" portion of their website gives this background on the logo:

In case you can't read it, the text says:

"If you have ever driven behind a Trans-Bridge Lines' bus, then you must have seen painted on the rear window, a picture of HI-YO in all his splendor. HI-YO, an Indian Chief, has been adopted as the mascot of Trans-Bridge Lines. He is also the Mascot of the Fugowees Jazz Club founded in 1962, who gave Trans-Bridge permission to use Hi-Yo over 25 years ago. And so it is said, Trans-Bridge drivers are never lost, as long as they have Chief HI-YO to guide them."

So, we've got the stereotypical "Indian Guide"--wearing a feather, loincloth, and mocassins, of course--who, like all Indians (right?) has natural and expert abilities of navigation and tracking. And his name is HI-YO. Sigh.

And that "Fugowees Jazz Club" seems like a winner too--in addition to using "Hi-Yo" as their mascot, the leader goes by the title of "Chief" and name "Big Red," and apparently they didn't let women in the club until 1997. Awesome. (All that info was in this article)

So Trans-Bridge Bus lines, I re-wrote your "Fun Fact" for you:

If you have ever driven behind a Trans-Bridge Lines' bus, then you must have seen painted on the rear window, a picture of a hurtful, stereotypical "Indian Chief" who we have named "Hi-Yo", because we think that all Indians have strange, nonsensical, syllabic names. HI-YO has been adopted as the mascot of Trans-Bridge Lines, because we all know that Indians make great mascots, since they aren't real people, don't exist anymore, and are just like animals. He is also the Mascot of the Fugowees Jazz Club founded in 1962, who are a misogynist and racist club, but don't worry, they gave us permission to use the image (though we didn't think to talk to any actual Indians, lol!). And so it is said, Trans-Bridge drivers are never lost, as long as they can look through their rear-view mirror and see this awesome image that forces all drivers on the road to forget that Indians actually exist, and think of them only as cartoons and mascots! 

Oh, and don't give me the "honoring" argument. That cartoon character is in no way an honor, I don't want to be associated with a half-naked cartoon on the back of a bus, thanks. Just because it's a "positive" image doesn't mean it's any less hurtful or harmful.

 (Thanks Chris!)

Thanks for the severed head, you've proved my point.

Game 4. Philly Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks. The Flyers score a goal, and VERSUS tv shows this guy. This guy, holding an impaled, severed, Indian head. On national tv. Close up on his prop:

So disturbing, so graphic, and just what I wanted to wake up to on a Saturday morning. Truly sickening in the literal sense.

This proves it, without a doubt. Native American mascots are demeaning, stereotyping, and harmful to Native people. The Blackhawks logo is often touted as a "good" image--not evil or stupid looking, nothing like chief wahoo or the other blatantly racist images. But "good" image or not (and I still stand that no Indian mascot is a good mascot), clearly this demonstrates the danger when fans are given control over a mascot and image. There is no excuse for this man's actions.

That's one area mascot debates rarely cover--the actions of rival team's fans and how they affect Native people. When an entire arena is shouting things like "Beat the Indians!" "Scalp the Redskins!" "F*@! the Blackhawks!" Can you imagine how it would feel to be a Native person hearing those things?

Even more upsetting about this image is the American history behind beheadings and scalpings of American Indians at the hands of whites. Into the late 1800's, the california government offered bounties of 5 dollars per Indian head brought into city hall. The heads of great Indian leaders were kept as souvenirs by the US military, or strung up in trees or on posts to serve as a warning to other Indians who dare disobey. Scalping, a practice commonly associated with blood-thirsty Indians, was actually more widely used by the European settlers, and bounties were offered for Indian scalps as well. This proclamation from 1775 calls for scalps from Native men, women, and children--offering different rewards for each.

That's why this makes me even more sick to my stomach.

We could also talk about how the TV station decided it was ok to air the image of this man, multiple times, or how the security at the arena let him through with that spear, and what those actions say about our society, or, per usual, draw the comparisons to other groups. Would a tv station air an image of a man carrying around an impaled Black head? Asian? Latino? No.

I've been getting a lot of emails lately about the Chicago Blackhawks, I'm assuming because of all the publicity with the Stanly Cup. A couple of people sent over this image:

Apparently the Chicago Tribune puts feathers on the homepage every time the team has a game. The feathers are pulled from the Blackhawks logo itself:

There have also been a few editorials circulating about the logo, and if it's time for a change. This one, from the Star, is pretty spot on. I talked a little bit about the danger of mascots and the psychological implications for Native students in this post about Tommy Tomahawk at Stilwell HS in OK. I recommend a read of Stephanie Fryburg's work I link to in that post.

And of course, the offensive and hurtful behavior isn't just limited to the fans of the other team. Check these guys out:

 (image source)

I guess even die-hard hockey fans can fall under the anti-hipster headdress manifesto.

So, overall, I guess I can--in a twisted and sick way--thank that Flyers fan. Anytime anyone says there is no harm in Indian mascots, I'm sending them that picture.


Offensive Logo has got to go: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/815709--cox-offensive-blackhawks-logo-has-got-to-go

Flyers Fan celebrates with Impaled Head: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Flyers-fan-celebrates-goal-with-impaled-Indian-h?urn=nhl,245889

Original pictures of the fan are from The Starter Wife: http://blackandgoldtchotchkes.com/

Earlier:

Meet Stilwell HS's new Mascot: Tommy Tomahawk- http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/01/stilwell-high-schools-new-mascot.html

Tommy Tomahawk Update: http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/01/tommy-tomahawk-update-school-board.html

Roundup time: There's been a lot going on!

Apologies for the lack of posts in the last week or so, I'm taking a statistics class that likes to take over my life every time we have an assignment due. But a lot has happened in the last few days, so I thought I'd do a little round-up!

In the news:

•   University of North Dakota retires "Fighting Sioux" mascot 

 (AK note: yay! I might write more on this later.)

The Fighting Sioux mascot will no longer be the face of the University of North Dakota, but the warrior's visage will still play a prominent role in the school's sports program.
The North Dakota State Board of Education on Thursday ordered the university to drop its Fighting Sioux mascot, prompting student protests on the Grand Forks campus and leaving many there feeling glum.

• Seneca: Obama ‘deliberately betrayed Native Americans’ with PACT Act

“The president of the United States invited Native American leaders to Washington, D.C. in November and looked us in the eye as a sign of good faith in his pledge to protect federal treaties. Now four months later he has betrayed that promise.”

Obama signed the legislation, known as the PACT Act, March 31. The new law bans the U.S. Postal Service from delivering cigarettes and certain other tobacco products – a move that will effectively extinguish the mail order tobacco trade run by the many business owners of the Seneca Nation of Indians and other Indian-owned tobacco businesses around the country.

• Tribes of Amazon Find an Ally Out of ‘Avatar’

Now, Mr. Cameron said, he has been spurred to action, to speak out against the looming environmental destruction endangering indigenous groups around the world — a cause that is fueling his inner rage and inspiring his work on an “Avatar” sequel.
“Any direct experience that I have with indigenous peoples and their plights may feed into the nature of the story I choose to tell,” he said. “In fact, it almost certainly will.” Referring to his Amazon trip, he added, “It just makes me madder.”

 In the media:

• Reel Injun

"Hollywood has made over 4000 films about Native people; over 100 years of movies defining how Indians are seen by the world.Reel Injuntakes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema."

AK note: I've been meaning to post about this film for awhile, it looks awesome and is getting great reviews. The issues covered in the film are many that I discuss on the blog. It's currently making the rounds in Canada, but will hopefully have some US dates soon! here is the trailer, definitely check it out:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htyEJSEZYNU )

In the blog-o-sphere/world of internets:

Native Appropriations has gotten some shout outs on great blogs/sites, check 'em out! (theres a few more to come this week)

• On The Atlantic Monthly: http://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2010/04/in-treme-race-and-class-loom-large/38749/

• On Sociological Images: http://contexts.org/socimages/2010/04/05/culturally-appropriating-native-americans-a-hands-on-approach-to-history/

• On Remodel Minority: http://remodelminority.com/2010/03/techno-tribal-tribal-punk-in-fashion/

(Thanks to Stef, Kianga, Ray, Jesse, and anyone else I forgot!)

U of I "Unofficial" St. Patrick's Day Shirt: Mascot is far from dead...He is just passed the f**k out

(image via aiscircle.wordpress.com)--Click the picture for bigger version

One of my friends pointed me to this shirt produced by students at the university of Illinois for their "unofficial st. patricks day" that is currently being sold through Facebook.  The t-shirt text reads:

(front) Unofficial St. Patricks Day 2010

(back) Chief Illiniwek: U of I's Unofficial mascot is far from dead...he is just passed the f**k out

If you can't tell, the "chief" is holding aloft a beer bong on the front. So many maddening things about this shirt, I don't know where to start.

In quick background, the University of Illinois finally voted to oust their Indian mascot in 2007 after years of struggle, and it continues to be an ongoing fight for Native students and their supporters on campus. The whole controversy can be read about here.

This is what "The Chief" looked like, all dressed up in his "authentic" Indian garb:

and this was the official university symbol:

There are so many campus incidences surrounding the student production of t-shirts for events--I know Stanford has had many issues, as well as Dartmouth, and now U of I. I feel like there needs to be an extension of existing hate crime or hate speech rules on campuses to these types of incidents, because often the university administration just seems to throw up their hands and say "there's nothing we can do." I think the Stanford fraternity that produced big game shirts featuring the Indian a few years ago was just asked to meet with Native students and administrators, and eventually they apologized and didn't use the shirts, but they were not threatened with any negative consequences to make them do so.

I would vote that in these university environments that purport to be promoting and fostering diversity and understanding, there must be consequences.

Original post on American Indian Studies Circle blog: http://aiscircle.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/i-was-stunned-appalling-unofficial-t-shirts-and-the-mascot-controversy/

Chief Illinewek controversy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Illiniwek#Controversy

Info on the "unofficial" st. pattys day tradition: http://www.uofiparentprograms.illinois.edu/feature%20stories/Unofficial_UIPD09.htm

(Thanks Scott!)

Dartmouth Native Vigilantes?

(image via ivygateblog.com)

Last night several of these anonymous signs were posted around the campus of Dartmouth College on the lawns of greek organizations and in front of administration buildings. The text on the sign above, posted at the Psi Upsilon house, reads:

Dear Brothers of Psi U,

You have been charged with representing your brotherhood to Dartmouth as racist and insensitive. Your use of the Dartmouth Indian, which is a caricature of racist stereotypes, as well as the objectification of women on your other shirt send a message to campus that you as an organization are actively disrespecting the feelings of your peers. We are holding you accountable for your actions.

It is time you start doing the same. 

I'll admit that I'm not well versed in the intimate details of the ongoing issues surrounding the Indian mascot at Dartmouth, but I know that it has been a nearly constant struggle for Native students on campus fighting against generations of alumni who support and continue to use the mascot image. In addition to the mascot issues, there have been a series of serious incidents through the years directly targeting or affecting the Native community. Inside Higher Ed published an article in 2006 about some of the incidents, and can be found here.  I can only imagine, given the statement above, that the brothers of Psi U produced some sort of shirt using the mascot.

The Ivygate blog seems to think that these vigilantes are "anti-greek", but I think it's pretty obvious that's not the case, and that there are bigger issues at play here. In addition to the sign above, they also covered the porch of the house with ladies underwear and the words "this won't just go away". While the blog speculates this is a reference to sexual harassment, commenter "vigilante" sets the record straight:

The panties are not anti-sexual-assault or even feminist (god forbid), but rather refer to a Psi U’s response to concerns about the Dartmouth Indian tshirts about people getting their “panties in a twist” and saying the situation will just “go away” if they don’t address it.

The people behind the signs aren’t anti-Greek by any means, just looking to revive dialogue about some recent actions by various organizations that come across as racist/sexist/generally insensitive. These things are consistently dismissed and swept under the rug, so the signs sought to give voice to those who were affected, offended by, and/or silenced by such actions. Accountability and respect of others in the community are the main goals, but at the very least we hope people will start actually talking about these issues rather than blowing them off as usual.

I think this is definitely a voice that needs to be heard, and that the Dartmouth administration's track record of not taking action on issues affecting the Native community and communities of color in general is inexcusable. I hope that these "vigilantes" use this as momentum to keep the movement going and make their voices heard.

I know I've got a few readers from up that way, if anyone wants to give me more information, or wants to write a post about the issues facing Native students on campus, especially surrounding the continued use of the mascot, please don't hesitate to let me know. I am perfectly happy to keep you anonymous. nativeappropriations@gmail.com.

Dartmouth Apologizes for Indian Incidents--Inside Higher Ed (2006): http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/11/27/dartmouth

Anonymous Vigilantes Attack Dartmouth Frats with Manifestos, Women's Underwear--Ivygate Blog: http://www.ivygateblog.com/2010/02/breaking-anonymous-vigilante-attacks-dartmouth-frats-with-manifestos-womens-underwear/ 

(Thanks Scott!)

Robin Lopez wore a Stanford Indian shirt, and 15,000 people saw

 

(image via "Official Twitter feed for Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley" link here)

This is Phoenix Suns player and Stanford alum Robin Lopez...wearing a Stanford Indians shirt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Stanford mascot history, in 1972, as a direct result of Stanford Native student activism, the university finally banned the use of that stereotypical image you see above. For the complete mascot timeline, see this article (by Denni Woodward, who all Stanford Natives know and love). Woodward paraphrases the anti- mascot petition put forth by the students, in which they stated:

 The mascot in all its manifestations was, the Indian group maintained, stereotypical, offensive, and a mockery of Indian cultures.  The group suggested that the "University would be renouncing a grotesque ignorance that it has previously condoned" by removing the Indian as Stanford's symbol, and by "retracting its misuse of the Indian symbol" 

Every few years or so the mascot issue re-emerges on campus, and every time the administration re-affirms the commitment they made in 1972 that:

"any and all Stanford University use of the Indian Symbol should be immediately disavowed and permanently stopped."

To further complicate the story, Robin and his twin brother Brooke are Native, or at least they were on the list of incoming Native frosh back in 2006. I saw you at that frybread social Robin!

Who knows, Robin could be trying to make a point, or something, but I have a feeling that wasn't the case. I know he's a good guy, we have lots of mutual friends, but I still don't like it.

It makes me upset to see any Stanford alum wearing an the mascot--and I saw plenty of them every year at Big Game and homecoming--but I feel worse knowing that Robin is a public figure, and so many people are going to see that picture on Twitter. Jared Dudley has 15,784 followers. I'd feel redeemed if Robin would let Jared post a picture of him wearing one of these shirts, or something similar:

(image via http://demockratees.com/)

So Robin, I submit this challenge to you. One Stanford Native alum to another. Heck, I'll even buy you the shirt--Demockratees is an amazing Native-owned company, and I may or may not own this shirt myself. 

Stanford Mascot History: http://nacc.stanford.edu/mascot.html
Retire Indian Mascots shirt: http://www.demockratees.com/retireindianmascots.html

(Thanks to Eric for the link! (though he probably won't be happy I posted this))

You too can own your very own Tommy Tomahawk!

 For the low price of $699.99 (It's on sale!). The description:

This Indian Brave Mascot Costume gives a boost to your school spirit.  Shindigz is your place to find the fiercest and most affordable mascot costumes.

Fierce AND affordable. 

http://www.shindigz.com/party/Indian-Mascot.cfm

(Thanks Scott!)

Tommy Tomahawk Update: School Board votes 3-2 to keep mascot

Stilwell Public Schools’ board votes to keep Tommy Tomahawk

Looks like Stilwell High School will keep it's new mascot, after the school board hosted a special meeting in the school gym to hear "both sides" of the argument. The board heard from speakers from each side of the issue, and ultimately voted 3-2 in favor of the mascot.

A disheartening and upsetting decision, to say the least. But I think Cherokee Nation representative Dr. Morton put an interesting spin on it, advocating for more lessons about Cherokee culture and life ways to let the students come to their own conclusions:

Morton, a longtime Stilwell resident, said he appreciated the opinion of everyone in attendance, especially the students, but the school might need to teach more Cherokee concepts to the children.

“Naturally, it is a student project and students are very protective of their projects, as well as they should be,” he said. “Perhaps a more in-depth understanding of Cherokee culture, Cherokee life ways and Cherokee history would cause a person not to want Tommy Tomahawk to represent them as a people.”

Many of the attendees who were against the mascot were not happy with the vote, and will likely keep fighting for its removal or a "compromise" that would allow the students to keep the mascot, if it were a less stereotypical and offensive image.

As board president Eli Pumpkin (who voted against Tommy) said, they could have a least picked a better representation:

“I’m from this community, and I’ve got a lot of calls from Native Americans in this district and they’ve certainly been offended,” he said. “I think we could’ve done a better job with what we picked. I think we made him look awful ugly.”

The problem with a "better" representation is that research has shown even "positive" or "neutral" images (think Disney's Pocahontas) of American Indians cause reductions in self esteem and self worth for Native students--even if they report "positive associations" with the mascots.

Meaning, if you show a Native student a picture of Chief Wahoo, Pocahontas, or Tommy Tomahawk, they may say that it doesn't bother them, but then when they are given a survey on self esteem or self worth, their scores significantly drop. I mean significantly.

Stephanie Fryberg, a professor at the University of Arizona, has done most of her work in the field of images of Native Americans in relation to self esteem, self worth, and possible selves for Indian students. The abstract from one of her papers sums up her findings:

Four studies examined the consequences of American Indian mascots and other
prevalent representations of American Indians on aspects of the self-concept for American Indian students. When exposed to Chief Wahoo, Chief Illinwek, Pocahontas, or other common American Indian images, American Indian students generated positive associations, but reported depressed state self-esteem, and community worth, and fewer achievement-related possible selves. We suggest that American Indian mascots are harmful because they remind American Indians of the limited ways others see them and, in this way, constrain how they can see themselves.

The entire article can be read online here, and I highly recommend it.

So, in conclusion, I encourage Stilwell residents and CN citizens to keep fighting against Tommy Tomahawk--letting him stay in any form does more than perpetuate stereotypes, it damages students' self esteem and future possible selves.



See earlier post for background information: http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/01/stilwell-high-schools-new-mascot.html

Stilwell Public Schools’ board votes to keep Tommy Tomahawk (I recommend the video as well, on the righthand side)

Of Warrior Chiefs and Indian Princesses: The Psychological Consequences of American Indian Mascots (Fryberg's article)

Stilwell High School's New Mascot

(image via www.cherokeephoenix.org)

I receive the Cherokee Phoenix (the Cherokee Nation newspaper) weekly by email, and today opened my inbox to this article about Stilwell HS (located in Stilwell, OK) and their new mascot, Tommy Tomahawk. Stilwell High School's student population is 70% Native, the vast majority of whom are Cherokee. The Phoenix article is addressing the controversy surrounding Tommy's unveiling, and it seems the school "didn't intend to offend anyone" (duh):

“It was done strictly to create school spirit because they’re proud of their Indian heritage,” Fletcher said. “Primarily, it was something the kids got after and promoted. Even our Indian heritage club was part of (the) promotion of that and donated funds for that.”

That (alarming and maddening) statement from a school official reminded me of this great cartoon that manages to capture so much:

(image via http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stharm.htm)

Though the school (and, apparently some of the students) consider the new mascot honorable, many of us would beg to differ, including some of the Cherokee Nation citizens:

CN citizen and Stilwell alumna Melanie Knight said she was disappointed the school would create a mascot that is a caricature and warped image of American Indians.

“It has been difficult to address long-term mascots that have become part of some schools’ history and legacy,” she said. “This is an opportunity to prevent that from happening. Tommy Tomahawk and his personification clearly says to me that Indians are a joke.”

The mascot follows the pattern of most other Indian mascots--his clothing reflects a "plains" style, though not a correct representation of any tribal dress, he has the stereotypical long braids and face paint, and, of course, he is styled to look menacing.

I won't get into the meat of the mascot issue here, but there are some strong faq, articles and analysis that you can read here:

http://aistm.org/fr.faqs.htm

http://contexts.org/socimages/2008/09/22/some-native-american-sports-mascots/

http://www.bluecorncomics.com/mascots.htm

The bottom line is, how can you look at that mascot and not think it is dehumanizing and racist? Especially if the school was attempting to "honor" the Native students?

Also, for reference, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith in traditional clothing:

(image via http://www.berrybeadwork.com/)

Stilwell High School's Indian Mascot Causes Stir: http://www.cherokeephoenix.org/21050/Article.aspx