lecture 14

The Valley of the Chiefs: Corey Marin

• Corey Marin is a Sioux musician who recounts a significant story from his grandmother.

  • At 16, she and other Sioux women were taken captive in South Dakota, a scenario from the past, around 70-100 years ago.

  • The narrative unfolds with a twist; the captors (non-Native individuals) faced dire consequences, losing horses and lives, reversing the expected portrayal of savagery.

Representation of Native Peoples in Art

• Discussion on the depiction of native peoples in art through different lenses.

  • Brutal Savage: A traditional stereotype in colonial narratives depicting Native Americans as inherently violent and savage.

  • Contemporary Indigenous Artists: Many today mix traditional forms of representation with self-representation, overturning stereotypes and narratives of Indigenous peoples.

Themes of 'Othering'

• Exploration of the concept where whites imagined Indigenous peoples through a fantasy lens, known as "inventing the Indian."

• Julie Schimmel's article articulates how this projection creates a dissonance with the realities of Indigenous identity, highlighting phases of representation.

  • Phases of Representation: Discussion on various eras that define how Native peoples have been viewed by whites.

    • Noble Savage

    • Brutal Savage

    • Conquered Peoples

    • Dependent Indian

    • Ecological Indian

    • Independent Indian

• Investigates how these narratives connect with federal Indian policies through time.

Federal Indian Policy Overview

• Upcoming lectures will cover federal Indian policy, linking historical representation to contemporary issues and policies.

• Importance of recognizing the impact of social construction on Indigenous identity over time, tied closely with government policy evolution.

Final Project Announcements

• Announcement regarding final project options. Students could consider various formats for submission:

  • Research papers, policy briefs, journalistic articles, podcasts, websites, story maps, and classroom teaching plans.

  • Emphasis on creative independence; students encouraged to propose innovative or individualized projects.

• Community partner organization engagement update. Students involved in the Vallejo project will have a first meeting coming up.

Historical Context of Exhibitions

• Mention of Julie Schimmel's article "Inventing the Indian" linked to a Smithsonian exhibition titled "The West as America" critically viewed during its time.

  • Controversial perceptions among conservatives who saw the exhibit as destructive to traditional views of American expansion and identity.

  • Key questions arise about how this exhibit challenges the frontier myth central to American identity, blurring lines between civilization and savagery.

The Noble Savage vs. Brutal Savage

• Discussing the duality of Indigenous representation:

  • Noble Savage: Romanticized view of Indigenous peoples, untainted by 'civilization'. Seen as both admirable and uncivilized.

  • Brutal Savage: Perception reinforcing violence and hostility in Indigenous identities.

• References to significant artworks that reflect these concepts:

  • Albert Bierstadt's "Lone Indian with Canoe": Illustrates harmony between the native figure and nature.

  • Charles Bird King's "Young Omaha War Eagleâ€�: Presents Native leaders in dignified terms, yet hints at the otherness perceived by Western culture.

Conclusion of Class Discussion

• Students encouraged to think critically about the representation and narratives presented in Indigenous art.

• Homework reminders include reading Deloria and Lytle, with a focus on integrating these ideas into upcoming discussions on federal Indian policy.