controversial figure skating dance

[SadieKate]

Native Canadians are also Native Americans, by the way.

Karen

I actually like the term "First Peoples" or something similar much better. "Native" is confusing for me since someone born in a place is native to that place but is not an indigenous American, i.e., a "Native American." "Native-born" isn't bad and provides a subtle distinction to identify someone native-born but not of indigenous descent. I get really irritated with the attitude of some white Americans who yell at others to "go home" (for instance, some Oregonians at people moving here from California) and then tout that they're "Native Oregonians." Well, not really. I want to shout back "so show me your tribal membership!" Not to mention, the weird assumption that someone moving from California was born in California, and isn't just another mobile American like their grandparents (or whoever first showed up here). That ability to pick up and move is what built the USA and almost every other country into what is today (and displaced the native people at the same time). The wonderful world of DNA research documents the wave of second peoples, and third peoples, etc., etc., all over the world. It's fascinating.

[jobob]

Back when I actually cared about figure skating (and trust me, I was a rabid fan a decade or so ago ... friends and I would travel to competitions, stay up until the wee hours or get up at the crack of dawn to watch practice sessions, and debate for hours over so&so's outside edge takeoff and so on ... ), every season there would always be a "controversial" program or two. Some more so than others. If it wasn't the theme of the program, it was the costuming.

Figure skaters, coaches, choreographers, these folks are not sociologists or rocket scientists.

Whatever. *shrug*

[bmccasland]

We use Native American down here because of all that confusion with Columbus thinking he was in India, or something like that.

Back when I lived on an Indian Reservation - White Mountain Apache according to the Apaches that lived there, the Fort Apache Reservation according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.... one of my co-workers, who was a tribal member AND quite the tease, asked - "why do they call us "Native Americans? Weren't you born in this country? That makes you Native American too doesn't it?" Same man would ask "why do they call us 'red-men'? I put you in the sun, you turn red, where I turn a lovely shade of brown."

Couldn't beat the man's logic.

[shootingstar]

The wonderful world of DNA research documents the wave of second peoples, and third peoples, etc., etc., all over the world. It's fascinating.

Agreed.
One of my sisters has been mistaken for being aboriginal. Anyone of East Asian descent ignorant (I use "ignorant" both positively as lack of historic knowledge but also negatively to some snobbish or "distancing-themselves" attitude.) enough to think that stereotyping doesn't involve them, should think again: Sometimes aboriginals look like Asians and vice versa.

The images that flood the mass media typically depict Canada's native population as being the victims of housing or health-care crises and show them struggling with poverty or hidden behind masks in confrontation with authorities.

But headed into the 2010 Olympics the Four Host First Nations have released a new video they hope will recast the face of Canada's aboriginal cultures and inspire a whole generation of young people.

"I hope it will make not just first nations proud - I hope it will make all Canadians proud," said Tewanee Joseph, CEO of the Four Host First Nations.

The video - a rapid montage propelled by a percussive, driving beat - shows native people in a very different way than Canadians are used to seeing them. All the images are positive, dynamic and upbeat.

"I want straight emotion and inspiration for three minutes. And I want to break stereotypes," was the way Mr. Joseph put it when he first outlined the project to the video production team.

Full article on production of video which is interesting..they chose the right folks who would be passionate:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/about-vanc...re?cid=rsstgnm

CEO Mr. Joesph is a chief for 1 of the 4 Nations. Most likely, the 4 Nations had to create and register with the govn't, their organization specifically for the Olympics related to funding purposes for 1 information/performance pavilion, this video, etc.

This is their video that they want promoted worldwide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Y1PRB3S1k

[eclectic]

I just want to say thank you for bringing this to my attention.

I teach a high school cultural art class and this was a perfect thing to bring to their attention. Today they had to read the article, think about it and write a response to it. Tomorrow we will discuss it. I am anxious to see what they come up with (11th and 12th grade)

[shootingstar]

Wow.
Please share with us about students' impressions/opinions afterwards.

[eclectic]

Well we discussed it. . . .

I was rather disappointed in my students lack of depth. (They are 11th and 12th grade)
Only 1 student who is a little more mature looked at the whole picture on how a culture is being portrayed to the entire world in a stereotypical fashion.

So of course that brought us to stereotypes. I was astounded to find out that most of the students thought stereotypes were just part of the scheme of things, natural and don't hurt anything and everyone knows they are stereotypes so you don't believe them

Luckily I have one girl who is a USAF kid and just got back stateside from Turkey. She said it was hard in Turkey because they had all the American girls stereotyped from what they saw on TV (sexually promiscuous, shallow, and rich)

We talked some about the Russian culture and whether they think they have cultural sensitivity training like the US does from Pre-K up. This was opinion not researched.

The overall agreement was the Skaters did it in ignorance and for artistic flair and show (one girl's example was wearing the red loincloth - red shows up and is more dramatic than say purple)
They did agree that more research should have been done on the part of the skaters.

Thanks again for bringing this to my attention - it was a great discussion anyway and a good example of culture merging with creative expression and that is what this class is all about.

[shootingstar]

Well we discussed it. . . .

I was rather disappointed in my students lack of depth. (They are 11th and 12th grade)
Only 1 student who is a little more mature looked at the whole picture on how a culture is being portrayed to the entire world in a stereotypical fashion.

So of course that brought us to stereotypes. I was astounded to find out that most of the students thought stereotypes were just part of the scheme of things, natural and don't hurt anything and everyone knows they are stereotypes so you don't believe them

Luckily I have one girl who is a USAF kid and just got back stateside from Turkey. She said it was hard in Turkey because they had all the American girls stereotyped from what they saw on TV (sexually promiscuous, shallow, and rich).

It may well be there were some shy students who just didn't want to speak up. You might have reached those quieter, bright students. I was a bright, quiet student but found it difficult to provide in a group classroom situation, my opinion at length.

It took me a long time to get over my inability to speak up off-the cuff and unrehearsed opinions in such group situations no matter how strongly I felt about something.

I commend you to even teach the topic of stereotyping, media images and problems with lack of seeking a broad range of reliable information sources. You probably did reach a few students who were feeling unsure how to articulate a complicated subject. Because it can be.

[eclectic]

Shooting star - before we discussed it I had the kids write their opinions on paper so they could think about it and not have to verbalize it in public. We just did a show of hands if they thought it was an issue or not. We then discussed it in small group, then as a whole.

You brought up a very good point and that is about trust building w/i a discussion group setting. I strongly believe opinions have to be respected. I try to teach that opinion is strictly that but it needs to be respectful and have substance to back it up. I was pleased in that aspect, they didn't bash each other and they did use examples to back up their opinion. (such as the young lady who contrasted the color red for the loin cloth vs purple and another girl who likened it to "hollywooding" everything)

Just my 2 cents worth. Most often I don't read opinions on articles or blogs because I am very tired of lack of respect, use of foul language and bashing. Hopefully I will reach some kids so they discuss opinion respectfully