REVIEW: New doc details the fight against Native American mascoting
Photo: One scene in the documentary depicts a Phoenix rally against Native American mascots. Photo courtesy of the Ciesla Foundation / Provided by the press kit.
The new documentary Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting is a compelling and moving testament to the activists and advocates who have fought for years to have certain professional and collegiate sports teams change their mascot names and likenesses. The film contends that football teams, baseball teams and other sports teams have used hurtful, offensive monikers and logos. Using a diverse array of Native American voices, the documentary puts forth the case that it is long overdue that these teams updated their trademarks and traditions.
There are many people featured throughout the film, which is co-directed and co-produced by Aviva Kempner and Ben West (Cheyenne). Perhaps the most prominent and powerful is Suzan Shown Harjo (Cheyenne/Hodulgee Muscogee), who has been fighting this issue for decades. She offers insights on why the teams are wrong and how this sports problem fits into a larger narrative of discrimination and marginalization of Native Americans throughout history.
Much of the documentary consists of new interviews, but Kempner and West also utilize archival material to show how long this fight has been occurring and how long some of this problematic mascoting has taken place. Many different franchises and images are scrutinized and analyzed, but a lot of the focus falls on the NFL’s team in Washington, D.C., which had a different, demeaning name until recently. There are also examples of franchises that have refused to change their mascots or practices, most notably Atlanta’s MLB team.
The insights from such speakers as Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) are appreciated, helping viewers understand Native American history and placing this issue in a larger context. Ditto for Founding Director of the National Museum of the American Indian W. Richard West Jr. (Southern Cheyenne), who provides a necessary historical lens.
Hopefully viewers will take in the documentary and be inspired to learn more about Native American history and Native American tribes in today’s world. It should be noted — and the documentary doesn’t venture into this side topic — that the effort to eradicate these demeaning terms doesn’t solely reside in the sports arena. There are also movements across the United States to reexamine the monikers of natural features, often named after controversial figures — a different, but still connected issue. For example, there are controversies surrounding the names in Yellowstone National Park. Also, viewers might be reminded of local K-12 districts (there’s a quick mention of California schools in the documentary), which can be equally problematic, much like the collegiate and professional levels.
This new documentary from Kempner and West is revelatory and revealing, showcasing a multi-year fight for justice and representation. Viewers will walk away changed and perhaps more scrutinizing.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting, directed by Aviva Kempner and Ben West (Cheyenne), is now playing in select theaters. Click here for more information.
