Episode 86: We’re Still Here--Confronting the Myth That Native Americans Only Exist in the Past

SHOW NOTES:Indigenous Peoples are not mascots, myths, or museum pieces. We are living peoples created by God with stories, beauty, pain, humor, and purpose. We’re starting a new series, entitled, Beyond the Stereotype. This series is designed to help Native and non-Native listeners confront harmful stereotypes, reclaim indigenous identity, and a desire to follow Jesus with honesty, strength, humor, and dignity.Many people talk about Native people as if we disappeared. This episode reminds listeners that Native communities are alive, evolving, resilient, and still carrying culture, language, faith, and identity. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:Sign up for monthly newsletter. Click sign up link, scroll down to email form, complete form, respond to email prompt, and get my newsletter.Join the movement on Instagram @nativesfollowjesus Documentaries exploring Hollywood's stereotypes of Native Americans unpack how early cinema reduced diverse, rich Indigenous cultures into two-dimensional tropes—such as the "noble savage," the bloodthirsty villain, or the mystic. They analyze how these caricatures justified historical mistreatment and shaped public perception.Watch Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (2003): This documentary details the history of Native American representation in cinema, breaking down how film was utilized as a propaganda tool. View trailer here. Check out Reel Injun (2009): Directed by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond, this award-winning feature is the definitive documentary on the subject. It traces the evolution of the "Hollywood Indian" from the silent era to the modern day and features interviews with iconic figures like Clint Eastwood and Russell Means. You can stream or rent it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. Watch trailer here. Tune into What Hollywood Gets Wrong About Native America (2024): Produced by PBS as part of their A People's History series, this short-form documentary investigates why Native people and stories remain marginalized, and highlights how modern Indigenous filmmakers are reclaiming their narratives. You can watch the full episode for free on the PBS Website. Send me an email at [email protected] to connect with me or to ask me a question. Thanks.Give a review of this podcast on Podchaser.comJoin us for the next episode when you can join me in addressing sports mascots and cultural caricatures.