Richael Laking

Here is an image of my latest painting titled 1. 2. 3. which illustrates only some of the stereotypes that are relevant in Pop Culture today.

I will replace this with a better photo soon.

This painting was inspired by a personal experience. During a concert I attended with 3 of my close friends. Two of my friends (both Ojibwe I think) were speaking to a young man. I came strolling up at the wrong time because he was just pointing out how one of them was like Pocahontas. He continued on "Oh and so are you!" (referring to my other friend) and when he noticed me... "And you too!... It's Pocahontas one two and three!" All I could here in the back of my head was ♫ One little, two little three little Indians...

Here are some of the stereotypes I chose to highlight in this painting:

1. The Indian Headband. These were created in order to hold wigs on non Aboriginal actors during filming of classic westerns. http://www.nowtoronto.com/movies/story.cfm?content=165304
2. The Skimpy Buckskin Dress. As seen on Pocahontas and found in many costume stores promote the sexualization of First Nation women. http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.ca/2010/06/nudie-neon-indian-stage-crashers-and.html
3. The Crying Indian. As played by Iron Eyes Cody a Sicilian man. Although the message is relevant the stereotype is not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM
4. The Misrepresentation of the Headdress. The headdress is unique to the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota people, and it is also a symbol of respect which should be honoured. Now a days I can't ignore the slews of people running around with headdress they bought off eBay and drinking themselves to sweet oblivion. Just stop. http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.ca/2010/04/but-why-cant-i-wear-hipster-headdress.html

All these strengthen the idea that all First Nation people are the same and fall under the term pan-indian. Each Nation is unique and carry values that should be payed the respect they deserve. Instead we're severely mislead by Pop Culture and the media. It's time to start identifying these and many other stereotypes to prevent even the most innocent forms of racism. This is simply the start.

Image from the Justice for Missing and Murdered Idigenous Women website

I am writing this in response to an article I read from the Winnipeg Sun.

 http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/06/29/theres-no-need-for-an-inquiry-into-missing-and-murdered-women

First I have to say... who the hell is this guy? Clearly someone who has absolutely no ability to exercise compassion and blinded by their own privilege. And this is the view of many which is why I feel compelled to speak up.
His attitude towards the issues faced by Aboriginal women is baffling to me. It's no secret that First Nation people now live in impoverished communities as a direct result of colonization and yet people continue to play the blame the victim game.

"A national enquiry that looks into all of Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women would be a giant waste of time." -Chris Procaylo
 
Reading this man's article is a waste of time. These issues will not solve themselves and simply ignoring them is a hilariously bad idea. And the fact that this ill informed and biased shit is published greatly disturbs me.

"That information doesn’t make their deaths any less tragic than most any other murder. Clearly, though, their lifestyle put them in danger of coming across a deranged scumbag. Those are the facts."

If the deaths of these women are not investigated then the deranged scum bags are allowed to wander free and are more likely to repeat the acts of rape and violence against all women. I agree that things need to change and these women live a lifestyle that puts them harms way. However no one chooses life on the street. There are complex and numerous reasons for why women of any background live this type of lifestyle.

I wonder how this situation would be approached if it were Caucasian women in place of Aboriginal women... 

And why does spell check tell me to correct caucasian to Caucasian but aboriginal in place of Aboriginal is okay?

Wow my first ever rant! Feels surprisingly good.

I'll end by adding links to proactive sites dedicated to exploring the issue with well informed perspective and a mission to better the lives of First Nation women.
http://www.missingjustice.ca/
http://www.nwac.ca/home

A photo taken before the festivities.

The mix n mingle.

DJ Golden Gramz

Andrew Dunn Clark takes the mic