{"id":82742,"date":"2024-10-25T09:49:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:49:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=82742"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:49:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:49:51","slug":"fhsu-hosts-presentation-on-the-representation-of-native-people-in-sport-and-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=82742","title":{"rendered":"FHSU hosts presentation on the representation of native people in sport and media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By ABIGAIL SHEARER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, Cornel Pewewardy spoke on the FHSU campus in a presentation titled: \u201cSeeing Red: The Construction of the Indian in American Popular Culture and Sports.\u201d Pewewardy, who is an associate professor of political science at the University of Central Oklahoma and a member of the Comanche-Kiowa nation, emphasized the importance of Indigenous representation and the need for meaningful change in how these communities are portrayed. He discussed the broader implications of representation and its significance in creating a more equitable world.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pewewardy
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\u201cYou have to lay out the theory, you have to be sound in your foundation, and you have to deliver that foundation to an audience that might not be as accommodating as you are,\u201d Pewewardy said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explored critical race theory and legislation, noting that they can set scholars back decades due to threats, a lack of resources, and the destruction of valuable materials. Additionally, he pointed out the insufficient support for initiatives that help Indigenous people remember and connect with their tribes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pewewardy discussed how stereotypes in media, literature, and everyday conversations impact the perception of how Indigenous children see themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA lot of words and antics happen today,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerning the use of mascots, he suggested that these representations create an empirical nostalgia based on stereotypes that profit Hollywood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWho profits from these manufactured images? It is usually not the Native people themselves; that is why Hollywood is so invested,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked how to support the removal of Indian mascots from schools, he advocated for accurate information and representation about Native people, stressing that they should not be treated as a \u201ccostume.\u201d He also urged breaking the mindset in communities that say, \u201cIt\u2019s been like this forever; why change it now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pewewardy’s talk highlighted the urgent need for a more authentic and respectful representation of Indigenous communities. By addressing the harmful stereotypes perpetuated by media and the use of mascots, he called for a collective effort to challenge outdated narratives and foster meaningful change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pewewardy said it is essential to provide accurate information and support for Indigenous voices, ensuring they are not just passive subjects in the conversation but active participants. Only through awareness and education can we begin to dismantle harmful stereotypes and create a more equitable society for Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n