American Indian Author

Reflects on Arts, Racism,

Life

Price, Stephanie, Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)


Byline: Stephanie Price Daily Herald Correspondent
Author and poet Sherman Alexie said the practice of schools
using Indians for mascots goes beyond the realm of racism.
It's a custom that makes a mockery out of an entire religion,
Alexie told a crowd of 250 people last week at McHenry
County College.
"People see the face paint, the beads, the headdresses and the
drums and they think, 'Oh that's nice,'" said Alexie, 35, a
Spokane/ Couer d'Alene Indian who grew up on a reservation
in Wellpinit, Wash.
"But it's religion. To us, it's amazing grace. It's highly sacred
religion and it's pedestrian religion. You couldn't have a Jesuit
running around a stadium throwing Communion wafers at the
crowd."
Alexie has published seven books of poetry, several collections
of short stories and two novels. He also wrote and produced
the screenplay for the award-winning film, "Smoke Signals."
He also is known as a gifted orator with a biting wit, and
jokingly relayed his idea for a new football team called the
"Seattle Saviors," whose mascot would be the image of Jesus
Christ hanging on the cross. The school chant could be, "Go
Jesus, Go Jesus," he said. "For those of you who think this is
blasphemous - exactly!" Alexie said, driving his point home.
The personal perspective from a man who has been hailed as
one of the best young writers of his generation comes
coincidentally at the time when the Huntley High School
board recently decided to drop its controversial Redskins
mascot.
Alexie's outrageous humor entertained the mix of students
and adults, but some in the crowd were taken aback by his at
times unsettling candor and subject matters. While most
people in attendance thought they would be hearing tales of
Indian life, Alexie took them on a broader, thought-provoking
journey through the issues of race relations, identity and
breaking stereotypes. He touched upon the topics of evolution,
creation, homosexuality, capital punishment, politics and the
Sept. 11th tragedy.
"This wasn't what I expected to hear," said Judy O'Neill, of
Crystal Lake. "I need to go home and digest this. Maybe this
was designed to be one of those things you reflect on and the
meaning surfaces later."
O'Neill and her friend, Linda Serak, of Wonder Lake, said they
enjoyed the end of Alexie's program the most when he touched
upon not what he has lost, but what he has gained since
surviving life on the reservation and moving forward to
immerse himself in the positive attributes of the broader
society, such as the arts.
"I have memories very few people have," Alexie said.
"Everybody always talks about what we as Indians have lost,
but you brought us some great things. Columbus brought
Shakespeare. The smallpox brought Emily Dickenson ... I've
had a chance to touch people's lives. I've had dinner with
Robert Redford. I have stood and looked at the Sistine Chapel
... If I hadn't left my rez, I wouldn't have done this. Whatever
this life is, it's amazing."
Molly Walsh, conference center coordinator for MCC, said
Alexie's appearance was part of an initiative from the college
to promote diverse programs for the community.
Alexie lives in Seattle with his wife and two children. His
upcoming film, "The Business of Fancydancing," which he
wrote and directed, has been selected for the Sundance Film
Festival. He also is working on the screenplay adaptation of
his novel, "Reservation Blues," which he will direct and co-
produce for SearchParty Films.

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Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.comPublication information:
Article title: American Indian Author Reflects on Arts, Racism, Life. Contributors:
Price, Stephanie - Author. Newspaper title: Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL).
Publication date: April 23, 2002. Page number: 1. 2009 Paddock Publications.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group.