Inkanta
Group: Admins
Posts: 1453
Joined: Feb. 2000 |
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Posted: May 29 2004, 11:09 |
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I wish the Hiawatha section had been completely different. I’d rather have seen a Native American artist singing something besides SOH and in her own language (whichever of the 100’s of languages that might be. Joanne Shenandoahwould have been a start  ). Sherman Alexie's Lone Ranger and Tonto may be fist fighting in heaven, but it’s more likely to be Longfellow and the real Hiawatha (tho the latter was a person of peace, so probably not……).
I cannot put into words how much I love Incantations and what it has meant in my life. It strikes as much of an emotional chord for me as Ommadawn dos for many people. It also reaches me, like Holger, at an intellectual level. It doesn’t get much better than running along the shores of the Mississippi accompanied by herons and pelicans, while listening to Part II. When I lived in the Ithaca, NY area, heaven was driving up the hill overlooking Cayuga Lake at sunset—the “Hiawatha’s Depature” section came alive in very interesting ways. Heaven, heaven, heaven.
Except for the fly in the ointment. The fly in the ointment for me is the realization that Longfellow appropriated his “Hiawatha” from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and the Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), and thoroughly romanticized and distorted Native culture in the process. Mike’s use of exerpts from SOH perpetuates this. To make matters worse, apparently when it was performed live, Maddy dressed up as a Native person from the pre-Contact period! If she did that in 2004 in the USA, various Native and non-Native supporters might picket (and I’d be among them). In 2004, Native Americans still fight stereotypic images, treaty rights, and sovereignty issues. (a Native joke is that Indians are the only ones fighting against the Government and for the Government at the same time). The poorest zip codes in the USA belong to Indian Nations. Several years ago, I met one of Sitting Bull’s (Tatanka Iyotanka’s) great-great grandsons, who at the time was president of a tribal college, and living without running water and electricity in his home. And not out of choice. Longevity for Native people is a good third—closer to a half!!—that of European-Americans. There are some pretty serious issues in Indian Country.
It was challenging to come to terms with my love for Incantations, including Part II, and my complete dismay at what Hiawatha represents. I don’t think I have, completely, but that’s ok. On the days when I’m listening to it in a particularly activistic mood (usually while running—something about the adrenaline??), I have composed letters, teaching activities, talks for church etc. in my mind that I went on to do, so I guess it has a useful purpose. I suppose it also gives me an opportunity to speak out in forums like this, and point anyone interested in reaching beyond the stereotypes that SOH perpetuates, to reliable information. So….. rather than continuing my current rant, I'll leave you'all with the Native American Home Pages. Pay particular attention to the “Mascots” section. Incantations: Emotional, Intellectual, Educational. 
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"No such thing as destiny; only choices exist." From: Moongarden's "Solaris."
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