Even the Estehvtke (white folks) can get some belly laughs.
Gary Fife/Radio Communications
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma — Reservation Dogs. There, enough said, huh?
Have you seen the new TV show about four ‘Mvskoke’ kids, kicking around rural Oklahoma? It’s the newest production by prolific Mvskoke-Semvnole(Seminole) film producer, writer, comic and cinematic rebel Sterlin Harjo. To top that, Taiki Waititi, the New Zealand Maori Native is co-producer and brings his internationally recognized genius touch to the show.
It’s the kind of show we’ve been waiting for in terms of real inside Native humor. It’s stuff that we all know from everyday life presented in a quality form we can all appreciate. Even the Estehvtke (white folks) can get some belly laughs. We’ve all seen the lip-pointing and heard the phrase, “Ayy”, in other films, but this goes far beyond any corny shortcuts. It delivers a precious insight that only another Native person can fully appreciate but anyone can laugh at.
Rez Dogs is a real relief and honest change from some of the other productions that professed to show Indian humor, life and challenges. Surely, viewers will identify with this talented cast and relate to them in a fashion that, in the words of one of the producers, “leaves all the others in the dust.” My dear wife said she nearly died laughing, watching Episode Three of the series. Me, too.
The only downer about this show, is that it is only available on Hulu, a pay-per-subscription channel. But if you buy it, the channel does have a lot of other interesting programs you could watch.
Noted Indian actor Saginaw Grant has passed away. Grant acted in numerous movies and TV program in July. He was an elder of the Sac and Fox tribe.
It’s no longer legal to kill Indians in Colorado under 136-year-old laws. The two 19th century state laws contributed to the atmosphere that led up to the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho people by the Colorado State Militia and they’ve been recently rescinded.
Native News Online reports Governor Jared Polis signed an Executive Order mid-August saying two1864 proclamations were superseded by the state constitution saying, “They therefore remain as a symbol of a gross abuse of executive power during that grave period in our State’s history.” Polis called the law, “shameful.”
Here’s a quick update on the sports team mascot issues. The pro football team representing Disneyland-On-The-Potomac still hasn’t decided on a new name. Indian Country Today reports team officials still haven’t made a final decision, but have narrowed down a list to just two possibilities to replace the ‘R-Skins’ name.
C’mon folks, it’s been a year now.
Speaking of taking a long time, Union High School here in Tulsey-town is supposed to announce a new name for its mascot. By the time this edition of the Mvskoke News is published and distributed, school officials may have made that announcement.
Next, the Kansas City Chiefs say they will not retire the “Chiefs” nickname, but they will retire their horse mascot, “War Paint.” They will ban headdresses, but will allow the ‘tomahawk chop.’
The Cleveland Indians have tried to make the change. The pro baseball team was planning to be known as the “Guardians.” Fortune magazine said a local roller derby team beat them to the punch about 10 years ago.
A court in Philadelphia has ruled that a statue of Christopher Columbus can stay in a local park there. The judge said that the city didn’t allow adequate public input and overturned a local ordinance requiring its removal. National news source say that city’s population has a major presence of Italian heritage residents, who are ‘ecstatic.’
A Mvskoke tribal member and Tulsa resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to a count of threatening the U.S. President and members of Congress. The U.S. Attorney reported that threatening emails were also sent to KOTV Channel 6 News.
As of this writing, there’s no word on whether or not the 2021 Mvskoke Festival is still on. The resurgence of the Delta Covid-19 virus has raised some questions about large gatherings around the country. Here’s hoping it’s still on.
Enough ‘gossip’, eh?
Hvtvm Cerecares—I will see you.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
