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Thursday, September 27, 2007

Buffalohair at NativeVue NIKES SACRED SNEAKER, “AIR NATIVE N7”…..

NIKES SACRED SNEAKER, “AIR NATIVE N7”…..September 27th, 2007

http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?author=146

NIKES SACRED SNEAKER, “AIR NATIVE N7”….. 

Gawd, I tried to ignore this news item about Nike’s new sneaker the “Air Native N7”, the sneaker that’s supposed to make nice all our social ills and bring back the buffalo. But noooooooooooooooooo, I even got snail mail on this one eh. 

Nike like Microsoft had very humble beginnings when they first started out. A client I body guarded was approached by a character who had a dream of sorts and was hustling for investors. Back then he was selling stock options for almost nothing. Today, my former client can kick himself in the butt for not investing in this new sneaker company, a sneaker company that started out in the back of a garage. So I guess Nike was a “rags to riches story” in a very real sense.  

There is enough dialogue, sites and other material from both the corporate and the indigenous side to this story, adnauseum I might add. The name of the shoe N7 “honors the traditional Native American Seventh Generation philosophy, an approach that respects the impact of decisions made today on seven generations. The shoe’s design draws inspiration directly from Native American culture.” quoted a Nike official. But it all boils down to this;  

“It’s all about the money Paisan, it’s all about the frigging money”, simple as that.  

Again some mindless nymph thought it would be “cute” to use sacred traditional teachings or “Something Native” to hawk their wears. It’s as if they watched “Dances with Wolves” and “Pow Wow Highway” marathon before they went to the boardroom with this new and wonderful idea. A sneaker that will cure diabetes, paleeeeeeeeeeze! Schtick is schtick…. Racial profiling? If this were anotherethnic minority there would be protests on the streets as spokesmen and women would line up to have their voices heard. Targeting Native American’s for sneakers is liken to the manufacturers of Colt 45 Malt Liquor who targeted the African American community years back. Both acts showed a careless disregard for the ethnic community, cultures, concerns as well as a taste of racism. “We know what’s best for you” 

But the single most insulting thing is the fact sacred teachings and prophecies from within the Aboriginal communities are simply open game for Madison Avenue. I’m still pissed over Bob Redford’s use of “Sundance” to hawk films. Again I hear this lame excuse, “Well it’s for the greater good”. What greater good is there when we compromise the very essence of our spirituality to sell movies and now, sell sneakers?   

Hello Mac-Fly……………… 

How would the conquering people like it if we opened up the “Jesus Christ Bar and Grill, the Apostles Dating Service or the Holy Water Saloon” not so pretty huh. Blasphemous some religious zealots would say even at the notion I could possibly print this. Yet the Native culture and religions are constantly under assault with little to no regard for our concerns. We, our culture and spirituality is open game it would seem. 

Corporate American has farmed out the manufacture of dream catchers, Mandela’s and other once traditional crafts to China. If this “cottage industry” was given to the Natives instead of China it would have offered opportunity and hope for thousands of craftsmen across the Native world. Maybe even make life a little better as we became more self sufficient and self reliant. Maybe we could have tasted just a little of the American Dream. For non Natives this would not seem like much. But to us Native’s beading and dream catchers have been the core of our survival. Selling bead work put lard in our larders when all else failed. And this was taken from us as well. With dream catchers being made all over the world it would have been nice of corporate America to have given these lucrative contracts to the Native’s, for a change. 

As far as I’m concerned, we reap what we sow and frankly we compromised ourselves long ago when we allowed “Sundance” and other sacred things to be used for commercial reasons. Within the cultures that’ve practiced this sacred holy tradition it was an insult a total disregard for our religion and our traditions. But hey it’sfor the greater good and so what if you compromise everything that is sacred. Bob sells films and they toss some crumbs to a few Natives in the process. What good did it do for us anyway, using the title “Sundance”? Not a blooming thing when you look at the division and lack of work that faces our Native entertainers. Fact is, I believe we cursed ourselves and made the medicine bad. We are still valets parking the cars while others go to the awards.  We are forever typecast and relegated to playing the “tom tom” and trusty scout for our great white father. And dorks from production companies ask me if I can “Dress Native”, GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Gads, now our feet are typecast and we are further isolated from other cultures. It is patently offensive to my intelligence for someone to tell me a sneaker will cure diabetes. The only real cure is to stop eating the processed garbage called food. In this nation food kills since it’s all about the bottom line, yep it’s all about the money. And this “Sacred Sneaker” stupidity is yet another way to denude the very essence of who we are as a people by bastardizing sacred teachings and prophecies just to sell, sell, sell.  

Apocalypto and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (fiction/love stories at best) are classic examples of this compromise of ethics and truth. It’s all for the sake of selling tickets and selling popcorn. And we are the pawns. 

An old Pueblo man told me that the corn meal line has been drawn but no one is paying attention to where they are walking. I doubt this Sacred Sneaker will help us on our journey either.  

It’s almost laughable when you think about the marketing angle of this shoe. Sad part is, the joke is on us…………… 

Your Devil’s Advocate

Buffalohair

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Reminder: Open Casting Call October 7

From:  Native Voices at the Autry



Date: Sep 26, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: Reminder: Open Casting Call October 7
Body: View our BLOG for all the details. See you there!


Just a few of our Native Voices actors . . .



Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Calling All Modern Day Warriors: Deadline October 12th

From:  Native American Rights Fund



Date: Sep 24, 2007 10:29 AM
Subject: Calling All Modern Day Warriors: Deadline October 12th
Body:

The Native American Rights Fund Presents Its 2nd Annual Art Show "Modern Day Warriors: Empowering the Young Voices of Native America" Art Show
Saturday, November 10th, 2007-St. Julien Hotel, Boulder, CO


2ND ANNUAL NATIONAL CALL FOR ART ENTRIES BY NATIVE ARTISTS AGES 15-35 YEARS OLD






CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD CALL FOR ARTIST ENTRIES & APPLICATION

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2007. SO SPREAD THE WORD & GET YOUR ENTRIES IN!

Visit NARF's Myspace for More Details or contact Crystal at crystal@narf.org.

Iriwe Turahe,
NARF

Monday, September 24, 2007

[NativeVue] Carlos/Buffalohair on....HIP HOP

http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?author=146

There are many subcultures within the music world and Hip Hop is one that truly has come of age. Hip Hop has always been associated with inner urban life. It has become a musical snapshot of existence within the concrete jungle of major metropolitan centers across the country. Hard bitten and vulgar to some it paints a picture of the stark realities in an uncensored and raw style that gets the listeners attention. From the Ghetto, Barrio, the Rez, and the youth in general Hip Hop has become the voice of an angry generation. 

After listening to many up and coming artists within the Hip Hop world I must admit Hip Hop has a very real message. There are many critics of Hip Hop about its content, language and its influence on our youth. Well if you want my two bits on this whole kit and caboodle. Hip Hop is only a reflection of what our youth already see, feel and experience. All the concerns at this juncture is liken to closing the barn door after the horses got out, holay...HIP HOP

Monday, September 17, 2007

STORIES FROM AND AROUND THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

 
 

QUIET ON THE SET!!

And now for some shameless promotion;

Check out the line up of stories from the entertainment world.

This weeks line up;

Musician Rick Dakotah, The Interview…

“The Only Good Indian” is a Good Experience

Tishri 5768

An Ode to Marley: Stand Up for Your Rights!

He said, She said

THE SECRET NATIVE

THE DEMISE

Prayer for Those Left Behind, (9-11)

Dan Leonetti and the Screenplay “Woodpecker Waltz”

Muckleshoot Native Lens Summer Workshop 2007


NATIVEVUE.ORG, an insiders view of the entertainment world from Native eye's.

Stories that span the imagination, some compelling, some happy some sad but all very entertaining. And it's all about "The Art of Entertainment"

Check out our Forums section...............

http://www.nativevue.org


ENTERTAINERS, BE FEATURED AT NATIVE VUE. (all genres)
CONTACT CARLOS aka Buffalohair at;

noveho@yahoo.com

For more details.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Today Leonard Peltier's Birthday!

September 12, 2007- Leonard Peltier's Birthday  

 Supporters nationwide and internationally are gathering in unity and solidarity for Leonard Peltier and letting others know about the injustices Leonard Peltier has endured which have resulted in over 30 years of wrongful incarceration. The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee will be sending weekly update on events, rallies, and information on Leonard Peltier and ask that you contact us and let us know your plans, ideas, and support for Leonard Peltier. Join Us!
In Solidarity,

Toni Zeidan
Co-director LPDC
Email:
info@leonardpeltier.net
Website:
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/
Address: LPDC
3800 N. Mesa #A2
El Paso, Texas 79902


Happy Birthday Leonard!-September 12, 2007 Activities/Events/Projects

Write Leonard ! Send him a Birthday card! Leonard Peltier’s address is:
Leonard Peltier #89637-132
USP Lewisburg
PO Box 1000
Lewisburg PA 17837

**( Leonard can not receive gifts or CDs. Books/magazines must be sent from a book store. Newspapers articles are not allowed, however Xerox copies of the articles are allowed)

Monday, September 10, 2007

9-11


The One Voice Mural

The One Voice Healing Pole

The
One Voice 9-11 Healing Totem sculpture above was gifted in the memory of all those lives lost in the 9-11 tragedies.  It was transported cross country from California and unveiled and erected within the New York City Bronx Zoo in September, 2002 on the first year anniversary.



The One Voice 9-11 Healing Pole makes it debut.




The Liberty and Freedom totem poles with the Sovereignty crossbar placed across them are the "sacredness of love joining us together," said Jewell "Praying Wolf" James, councilman and master carver of the Lummi Nation. The Lummis presented the poles to the Pentagon in a Sept. 19 ceremony to commemorate the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack. Photo by Rudi Williams
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image
available

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Fw: Video (TOO FUNNY!) Granny & the air bag.....

A lady was video taping her son riding a skate board when her attention
 switched to an old woman trying to cross the street. It is the best direct
 hit I have seen in some time. You can hear the video taping lady giggling
 as she records the event.

 Be careful about honking at old ladies.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

NativeVue Main Buffalohair Blog! Coming soon!




 

What You’ve Been Waiting For…September 8th, 2007 

…is coming soon. Very soon. And it's gonna be worth it.


Posted in
BUFFALOhair - Somewhere between sanity and dementia |

http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?author=146

Daniel Joseph Leonetti, born sometime in the early 50's; gads he's worse than a dame when it comes to getting his actually age. He was born in Trinidad Colorado of Apache and Italian lineage. He was raised and attended grade school in Trinidad. Then in 1968 he enlisted in the Army and trained extensively in Intelligence and Communications before shipping off to Viet Nam. Once in Nam he was assigned to a classified intelligence unit and shipped to the Cambodian border. Much of his work was classified so there is little to tell. I sum up his journey in his own words: 

"I saw a whole  nation get completely erased from the face of the Earth. I saw what man and his inhumanity could do to other human beings. Death was everywhere since  life had no value.  My teenage eyes witnessed carnage beyond imagination as whole villages were destroyed and people executed. I saw the beginning of the Killing Fields of Cambodia first hand, oceans of mutilated bodies and the stench of death forever etched in my mind. My life would never be the same..." Dan Leonetti and the Screenplay "Woodpecker Waltz"

http://www.nativevue.org/blog/?author=146

Within my tradition we believe there is no death. Whence we've crossed over into the spirit world we are embraced by our ancestors and will never be alone again. So my prayer is for the living who walk this ambivalent world in the pall of grief and loneliness. 

"Maheo' hear my prayer, fore I ask in a humble way.

I pray for the living and their broken spirits

Fore they truly walk in a much emptier world

Their hearts still filled with grief and sorrow

May the winds of the four direction

Whisper the words of their fallen loved ones

The words they need to hear

To let them know they are with you

In the land from which we all came from

And the land from which we all shall return." 

Buffalohair