Confronting Myths: From the Legend of Pocahontas to the Discourse on Palestine
Louisiana's Coastal Tribes Appeal For Help
In southern Louisiana, leaders of four coastal Native American tribes, the Bayou Lafourche, Grand Caillou/Dulac, Isle de Jean Charles Bands of the Biloxi-Chitimacha and the Pointe au Chien Indian tribes are issuing a call for help again. The tribes were all left reeling in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and still need relief assistance. Randy Verdun, Chief of the Bayou Lafourche Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha tribe said, "It's a call to action, a call that we hope is heard. Help us preserve our distinct cultures and traditions. Without help, they will surely be lost." We speak with: Patty Ferguson, Tribal Attorney for the Pointe au Chien Indian Tribe.
Full Press Release
For more info, to make a donation or provide grant information to the affected tribes contact:
* Patty Ferguson - Tribal Attorney, Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe 480-425-2637 Ferguson@SacksTierney.com * Marlene Foret - Chairwoman, Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha (985) 594-6593 mmforet@mobiletel.com * Albert Naquin - Chief, Isle de Jean Charles Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha (985) 232-1286 whitebuffaloa@netscape.net * Charles Verdin - Chairman, Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe (985) 856-5336 pacit@cowscorner.com * Randy Verdun – Chief, Bayou Lafourche Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha (225) 485-8765 bccmi@aol.com * Naomi Archer - Coordinator, Four Directions Relief Project (828) 230.1404 fourdirections@riseup.net * Or Visit the Four Directions Solidarity Network
Confronting Stereotypes in "The New World", Shattering the Myth of Pocahontas
Nearly two weeks ago, the film "The New World" opened in theaters around the country. The film attempts to retell the mythical story of Pocahontas and John Smith as a passionate love story, with the settlement of the Jamestown colony taking place in the backdrop. Few reviews have criticized the film for perpetuating racist and sexist stereotypes, suggesting these ideas are so enmeshed in American culture that they are overlooked without protest.
Camilla Townsend, Associate Professor of History at Colgate University. She specializes in Native American and Latin American history. She is the author of several books, including "Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma" and "Burying the White Gods: New Perspectives on the Conquest of Mexico."
Free Speech or Racist Propaganda?: Multi-Faith Coalition Mobilizes to Respond to Anti-Palestinian Ad
In a recent issue of The Nation magazine, a full-page ad by the organization called Facts and Logic About the Middle East, or FLAME, claims to confront myths about Palestine. The ad says the nationhood of Palestine is a myth. The group's ad has outraged many people, including the group WESPAC. We speak with some representatives.
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 3, 2006: Tiokasin Ghosthorse will play the flute and introduce the documentary film, "Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story." The film, by Robert Redford and Michael Apted shows the mockery made by the U.S. government of its own judicial system. It shows the FBI-led reign of terror perpetrated on the Lakota Reservation in 1973. Tiokasin will have a Q&A session following the film. Begins 7:30 pm, at Everything Goes Book Cafe, 208 Bay Street, Tompkinsville, Staten Island. Everything Goes Book Cafe & Neighborhood Stage
February 3, 2006: the 30th anniversary of Leonard Peltier's capture in Canada. NYC Jericho and ProLibertad will show the film "Warrior: the Life of Leonard Peltier" by Susie Bear. 6:30 pm, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 521 W. 125th Street, Manhattan. Call 718-220-6004.