(Via LONGVIEWS, the blog-cast)

Baz Luhrmann deserves to be sucker-punched for making this commercial. Does he have any sense at all? That is a rhetorical question … plus anyone who has seen Australia knows he doesn’t. Actually, this commercial is part of a series of ads made for Australia’s Tourist Board. I’m sure whoever heads up the Aussie Tourist board had a part in the general direction of these commercials, so he or she deserves to be sucker-punched as well. You’re not alone, Bazzie. Taken from Australia.com:

“Sometimes we need to lose ourselves to find what matters most. Australia’s Aboriginal people know as much, going ‘walkabout’ to reconnect with the land and their traditional way of life. For most of us, ‘walkabout’ takes the form of a holiday - a time to re-balance and refresh. It lets us find ourselves when the pressures of daily life have made us lose touch.”

It goes on to say that while most of us have our ‘Walkabouts’ at the Four Seasons in Sydney, Aboriginals have to stick with the bush because it is cheaper. Hey, at least they’re keeping it real, right? I’m totally kidding! Ha! Australia would never admit to anything negative involving Aboriginals. The website actually goes on to describe all the great stuff there is to do in Oz - such as snorkel, go dirt-biking and look for Hugh Jackman. Oh, and listen to the “deep throb of the didgeridoo.” But maybe they were still talking about Hugh Jackman there.

There is not much of a point to this blog. I mainly wanted to say “COME THE FUCK ON AUSTRALIA!” You can pretty much gauge the climate of global awareness on any particular subject according to percentage of comments on a related YouTube page. About 90% of comments on the above video’s page went something like this, “This commercial is memorizing and beautiful. I tear up every time. Crazy!” About 5%: “This commercial is super creepy! I’m never going there!” About 3%: “I’m an Aussie and this ad is bloody shithouse!” And then of course the 1 or 2% shaming the irresponsible portrayal of the Australian Aboriginal as a proverb-whispering, loin-cloth sporting medicine manchild, sprinkling healing sand on your relationship problems … and tracking mud through your living room.

“Bloody shithouse” is right.

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http://www.thenaica.org/edition_ten/contents.htm

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NAICA Online: Winter Edition 2009: Spotlight: Victor Pascual: San Carlos Reservation

Victor Pascual is Navajo and Mayan, originally from Farmington, New Mexico. After graduating from high school in New Mexico, he moved to Durango, Colorado, where he studied fine arts and graphic design, along with a little art history and sociology in the mix. A graphic designer for almost 5+ years, Victor has built a sizable portfolio while, in his opinion, working with some of the most inspiring folks across the country.

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http://www.thenaica.org/edition_ten/word/val/intro.htm

A few months ago I was forwarded a news item that claimed Val Kilmer might make a run for governor of New Mexico in 2010. Imagine that! The Great Bear Chief of the Cherokilmers as the Great (Mostly) White Father of all of New Mexico. Even better, imagine him as the first Native American President of the United States of America!

What a great day that would be; the first “real” Indian in the White House. And if you think this year’s inauguration was one hell of a party you can bet Kilmer’s would be the powwow to end all powwows. Obama’s got nothing on the Great One. Sure he had a swanky gourmand luncheon and Beyoncè, and The Jonas Brothers, and Mylie Cyrus, and Saint Bono all performed for him, but Kilmer’s got Indian tacos and Pepsi! Not to mention, Buffy St. Marie, Irene Bedard and Deni, The Black Lodge Singers, and John Trudell are all personal friends. Boo Yah Obama!

And there’s no need for glad-handing the Natives for their one percent Red State swing vote ‘cause he’s a true friend all the cool Indians in Santa Fe (and maybe even in some other Red States too?). Kilmer’s his own minority out reach program, and he can write and recite his own poetic speeches – minus rhetorical missteps, like, umm uncritically bringing up those who came before and “settled the West” – I needed to be reminded it’s no longer necessary to kill injuns on a move to Los Angeles, it’s already been done for us! Thanks Obama.

Our Chief would never make a mistake like that. Sure he might force us all to become Christian Scientists but he’d never absent-mindedly bring up genocide. And, in keeping with his Native American heritage Kilmer is the economical multi-tasking president this country deserves. He’d call forth those many skills of his: acting, tantrum throwing, making suggestions no one cares to hear (a diversionary tactic), horse riding, dating hot women, still managing to get a table at a trendy restaurant. All these skill would certainly trim the Washington fat (literally?) and that would save some taxpayer cash.

But what else would the First Cherokilmer do that would truly bring light to First American issues? Well, I believe he’d give up more of his ranch-a-vation by the Pecos so that wild animals will be protected from the wild rednecks that indiscriminately hunt them for sport. Unless we’re talking about the wild trout that flow through the river in front of his home, in which case he will sell you a license, rent you equipment and charge you nominal fees to fish in his private streams. I believe he would also establish even more private schools like the one he established in New Mexico that educates promising Native children who will grow to be model (Native) American citizens and his potential political allies. He’s a smart man who knows you need to mold them while they’re young. He would also commission the writing of a Native American National Anthem to be performed by Gary Farmer and the Troublemakers (Sorry Robbie Robertson you haven’t done anything “Indian” lately). It would be called, “This Land’s still not Your Land.” It will be sung every morning before class begins regardless if you are in 1st grade or acquiring your PhD – issues of redress would be at hand. He would give back the Black Hills, track down all the money misplaced by the BIA, issue an official apology to Indian Country and require every non-Indian to hug the nearest Indian of non-Eastern Indian persuasion. The Great One would finally free Leonard Peltier. Most crucially, in an effort to raise that 1% to double digits, he would recognize every tribe that applies for federal recognition so long as they can prove they won’t open a casino, nor install a slot machine in the quikmart on their soon to be reserved tribal land (just as soon as they figure out where the hell it is that they were from in the first place). Everyone will have a reservation: Puerto Ricans in the Bronx, Cubans in Miami, Blacks in Atlanta. All those who can prove they are White will have Iowa, and only Iowa.

Yes, in a Cherokilmer Administration reservations will be required.

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LONGVIEWS, the blog-cast » Blog Archive » Oh So Iroquois: an exhibition curated by Ryan Rice

Oh So Iroquois emphasizes the dynamism of both traditional and contemporary Iroquoian creative processes, presenting work that is deeply rooted in a cultural system of values and æsthetic qualities that
permeate the social, political, spiritual, and economic infrastructure of Haudenosuanee society. Together, as members of the Iroquois Confederacy, artists continue to affirm and re-examine this collective art history through symbolism, narrative, colour, and contemporary and traditional media.

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LONGVIEWS, the blog-cast » Blog Archive » A Note from Laura Ortman: The Coast Orchestra

Dear Friends far and close, THE COAST ORCHESTRA, the all-Native American Orchestra premieres this weekend in Washington D.C. at the National Gallery of Art on the mall. Sunday, November 9th at 6:30 PM We are also premiering next week in NYC opening up the Margaret Mead Film and Video Festival at the American Museum of Natural History on Friday, November 14th at 7:00 PM The orchestra is also going to be on NPR this week!

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The Fashion of the Spirit : NAICA

A mannequin in an absurd window display dressed as a rockabilly Indian maiden in a war bonnet was overseen by a salesman wearing a shirt that proclaimed he was “666% Hellbilly” (he had the side burns and 50’s greaser pompadour to prove it) drove the point home about fashion commodities and the ick factor: Where were all the Indians? We know what happened to the cowboys - they won the West and became Bible salesman. The Chinese are up the street selling their cultural wares, the Catholics with their saints are a block over in Little Italy, at least deriving some benefit from the commodification of their cultures, but what do American Indians get out of it aside from a woefully simplistic reification of the Indian as stoic spiritualist? One of the salesmen helpfully suggested that the artists were local indigenous and well paid for their work, but again, I’m skeptical. The website claims that the store owners travel the country looking for interesting items to sell, but there is no mention of India, nor do I know of any American Indian diasporas in China. Like the mannequin in the window, New Yorkers get to dress up for a bit and never have to be confronted with the people whose culture has been refashioned into pat narratives, and sold, mostly to European tourists, but also to the likes of Anthony Kiedis and Mel Gibson - photographs on a wall by the entrance showed these celebrities mugging with the random Western Spirit sales associate (Note: Anthony Kiedis is said to be an Indian - Mohegan or as we here at NAICA call it “Mo-hedis”).

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http://www.thenaica.org/edition_nine/ppt/val/intro.htm

You may not know but the great chief has a MySpace music page. He does. It’s been up for over a year now. You can purchase songs from his Sessions with Mick CD along with his recent volume of poetry for a mere fifty bucks. The proceeds from sales go to support his various charitable ventures, one of which is the Association on American Indian Affairs. Kilmer is a good Indian like that – looking out for his brethren by kicking a few dollars their way when he can sell a CD/poetry book or two.

In other words, NAICA’s Summer Edition is now up.

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http://thenaica.org/wordpress/2008/05/10/more-good-news/

From the NAICA blog : Sadly, Kevin Costner will not be reprising his monotonical “role”, BUUUT none other than Viggo Mortensen is in talks to be filling Kevin’s shoes. And honestly, I think he’s perfect for it. I can’t think of a better guy to befriend Indians with his shirt off. Maybe there will be a naked shower fighting scene too??

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