Current Topics in Museum
Studies:
Issues in Native American
Representation
Larry J. Zimmerman
IUPUI Department of Anthropology
Activity 1: Projects
None of the five projects is meant to be anything especially large or difficult. Rather, the intent is to give you exposure to as wide a range as possible in representation of Native Americans. They might also be fun!
Project 1: Using the Web, find at least five Web sites that discuss the use of Native American icons as sports mascots. Prepare an annotated list of the sites you visited and your evaluation of each site. Be prepared to discuss the web sites you found. For additional information about how to evaluate web sites with Native American materials, go to http://larryjzimmerman.com/narep/webeval.html. Due: start of class on September 7
Tips: You'll find a wide range of web sites about Native American icons used for sports, everything from team names to mascots to gestures or actions. I'd look for sites that contain a fair amount of detail or discussion rather than just a few lines of text or opinion. Try using search engines such as Google to find them. Be sure to use a range of terms in combination from Indian to "American Indian" to "Native American" and "sports mascots." If you don't already know it, the quotation marks around the terms used in the search allows you to seek that exact phrase or a "string search" as it's sometimes known. As you assemble your list, be sure to include the exact url (web address) so I or others can look at the same site. try to put at least 1) the name or title of the site, 2) the creator or the site, if indicated, 3) the precise url, 4) the date the site was created or last updated, if evident, or at least the date you viewed the site, and 5) a brief discussion of the contents of the site and your opinion. Note that five is the least you should have, that is, it is the number that would earn a C grade if they are well done.
Project 2: Kiddie Lit and Indians. Go to a public library or a bookstore. Find and read 5 children’s books on Native Americans. Do a 3-5 page report discussing what you read and any key images or stereotypes you notice in them. Who is the author? If illustrated, who is the illustrator? Be prepared to discuss what you read in class. Due start of class on October 19.
Tips: There are dozens of children's books about Indians. For example, The Education of Little Tree, on which a popular, recent movie was based, written by Forrest Carter, was actually penned by Asa Earl Carter, an avowed segregationist and leader of a KKK branch. Others have been written by tribal members trying to set the record straight about their nation. Others have a New Age bent. Try to find a range of books written at different times. Also look at different styles, from fictional stories, to "educational" books, to heavily illustrated volumes with little text, to those meant for teens or pre-teens that are mostly text. You don't necessarily have to read the whole book. Rather, you need to look for how the book handles representation of Indians. Include at least 1) a full title, 2) complete publication data including author name, illustrator name (if any), publisher, copyright date, ISBN if visible, and number of printings [most of this information is usually inside the title page], 3) a summary of the story or content, and 4) your assessment of the content in terms of how it represents Indians.
Project 3 At the Gift Shop Visit a gift shop that sells items advertised to be Native American (perhaps, White River Trader in the Eiteljorg Museum, but there are others in the area). What sorts of items do they sell? Is any of it geared toward children? What kinds of things? Are there obvious stereotypes in any of the items? Any New Age items? Then, pay attention to advertising that uses Indians or Indian related materials. What is the nature of the ads? Make a list of items you think are interesting and write a 3-5 page brief essay on what you observe. Due at the start of class on November 16.
Tips: This one should be fun. Try to be as specific as you can be about items you look at. Perhaps, if you tell the clerks why you are there, they might even allow you to take a digital photo of their establishment and of the items. You may find some online. You might also try to chat with the clerks or staff. I did this in the Eiteljorg White River Trader store last week and found out a great deal about how the store orders and what kinds of items they choose. You can get a good idea of store "philosophy" this way. As for advertising, the newspapers on Sunday are full of it. I've seen everything from food products to dolls for adult collections that use Indian content. Try to look at as wide a range of publications as you have time for, from newspapers to magazines that specialize in Indian materials (such as Native American or Cowboys).
Project 4 Native Newspapers For one week, look either in hard copy or online at several mainstream newspapers (New York Times, Indianapolis Star, Washington Post, and the like) and see out any stories dealing with Native Americans. What is the nature of the stories? Are they favorable, unfavorable, or neutral? Do they contain any obvious stereotypes? Then go online (see One World-Nations On Line about halfway down the page where you will find a whole list of Indian papers, both local and national. Be sure to look at Indian Country Today, a national paper, but also look at the way stories are covered in some tribal papers. Can you see any differences between the ways dominant society and tribal papers cover issues? Prepare a 3-5 page report on what you looked at and any observations you have. Due at the start of class on November 30.
Tips: This one may be the most challenging in terms of access, but there are certainly online versions of several national papers. There are also full versions of some tribal papers. Equally tough will be finding any articles in mainstream, dominant society papers. This past few days (late August), the Indianapolis Star has had several pieces, but that's uncommon. Where available, search online archives of the papers to get a broader view. If you are going to discuss particular articles and they are online, give the url for the article.
Project 5 What do museum staff members think? Arrange to interview a museum specialist or a museum docent or guide about concerns they have regarding Native American Representation in their museum or in museums generally. These need not be long interviews, but you will need to acquaint yourself with their museum before you can ask intelligent questions or know what they are talking about if they refer to a specific exhibit or concern about their museum. Write a 3-5 page essay documenting the interview and be ready to discuss it in class. Note: I will provide you with a list of willing interviewees before this project. If you choose to interview someone outside the city, you will need to make your own arrangements. Due at the start of class on December 7.
Tips: As noted, I will provide you with a list of museum staff members who are willing to talk with you, but if you already know such people, feel free to use them. Whatever you do, don't do this interview "cold." That is, do check out the museum in which the person works before you interview them. Try to outline a list of questions ahead of time. You can even turn in your list of questions with your report. The interview need not be long or complex, but try to be thoughtful about it. You may wish to provide a bit of information about the museum itself in your essay, especially if it is relevant to your observations.
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