Anthony Humetewa

An Important Casting Call to all our Brothers and Sisters

Unless you live in the western portion of the United States, Im pretty sure that seeing a
Native American person on a daily basis might sound strange. Because of that particular reason,
would the initial thought of having to do with Natives be coming from the medias influence?
Throughout the nations history, Native Americans have been portrayed from savage killers
lurking in the West, to impoverished, alcoholic hoodlums on isolated reservations. Roles in films
or TV shows which might try to convey thoughts of indigenous people, can lose its overall
validity without the perspectives of actual Native people participating (i.e. if the actor(s) were
spray-tanned brown). Would it make more sense if casting directors were to contact Native actors
to take part in such roles? Even if they were in media projects as extras, Native people can make
the overall perspective be held true as possible. We also add cultural diversity to the growing
media of the 21st century to expose us on a larger scale.
Our voices and our stories can touch the hearts of audiences the same way mainstream
movies and TV shows can. Native-geared media can include subjects relevant to past and present
Native issues and point out what makes us unique. Historical events, art and culture, and identity
(language, unique stories, conflicts, etc.) are the many subjects that can be portrayed or
documented to a wide audience. Films such as Dreamkeeper (2003) and Drunktowns Finest
(2014) are great examples.
The greater number of Native actors can reduce the amount of negative stereotypes
(alcoholics, impoverished, uneducated, etc.) prominent today. Even if we have contemporary
roles, such as part of a group of high school friends, we wouldnt be seen as Dans Native friend,
but Dans friend, rather. Media projects can deal with Native stereotypes, but in a positive way to

portray how people are trying their best to undo them, as reflected in real-life. For example: it
felt like a battle to get my dads father to stop drinking, and my mother was the first one of my
family to graduate college. These stories have potential to be screen-played.
Lastly, Native projects can inspire people to do great things and do things they love. For
example, I have a friend by the name of Peshawn Bread (Comanche/Kiowa), who is pursuing a
degree in filmmaking. She participates in the production of Native films, art shows, and photoshoots. She is friends with lots of famous Native people, such as Adam Beech, Graham Greene,
Irene Bedard, and Sherman Alexie, to name a few. While we were in high school, she was
helping on the set of Drunktowns Finest and even had a small role. She wants to be a famous
film-maker and specialize in Native films. With her help, she can add the cultural diversity
mentioned earlier to a wider audience.
I enthusiastically open this argument to those who might feel against what I am saying. A
point that would counter this entire position is that Native stories/perspectives have a tendency to
be too negative. Like all minorities and racial groups, we have suffered inerasable circumstances
which have left us shattered in some areas. These circumstances include: genocide, forced
relocation, land-loss, loss of language, poor health, etc. Identifying ways to battle such
circumstances will result in a brighter future for all of us. My next opposing point is that people
are uninterested in negative subjects and would rather focus on something else. As a result of the
lack of interest, the audience of Native projects might remain on the small-scale it has today. If
people dont want to be engaging in negative matters, than they have the power to make them
positive again.
As you can see, it would benefit us greatly if there were more participation of Natives in
the media for multiple reasons. Our perspectives can undo negative stereotypes and generate

positive emotions from audiences. The ultimate goal would be for the non-native US population
to at least give the many subjects of current Native people a chance and hopefully try to relate
with us.

Annotated Bibliography
Carstarphen, Meta G, and John P. Sanchez. "The Binary of Meaning: Native/American Indian
Media in the 21st Century." Howard Journal of Communications. 21.4 (2010): 319-327.
Print.

Carstarphen and Sanchezs article does a good job of explaining the history of how
Natives have been portrayed in the media. It also gives examples of ways the government has
relocated tribes from their homelands. At the end of the article, it explains that Natives are
performing in leading roles. Filmmakers are getting in touch with Native production companies.
The projects completed result in much more realistic ethnocentric perceptions of Indian
country, and they reveal definite Native/American Indian perspectives about conflicts, and end
with authentic resolutions, whether they are good or bad, (Carstarphen). This article is useful
because it backed up my points by saying that Native produced works about Natives are much
more powerful and ethnically authentic.

Ross, Susan Dente, and Paul Martin Lester. Images That Injure : Pictorial Stereotypes In The
Media. Westport, Conn: Praeger, 2003. eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost). Web.

Ross and Lesters book talks about stereotypes of all ethnic groups around the globe. It
explains how perspectives of certain events lead to stereotypes (i.e. how 9/11 caused stereotypes
with Muslims). In terms of Natives, it talks about how the media was so interested about the
Western cowboy/injun films and how it impacted us due to that portrayal. This is useful because

it backs up my point as to how there was no Native participation or approval to this image and
the archetype of such Native characters are so inaccurate to what we really are.