Stereotypes: Where History Comes Alive…Sort of.

Stereotypes: Where History Comes Alive…Sort of.  

By: Agustin "Jeremy" Valdes-Riccardi

     With more than 113,000 images, the American Philosophical Society’s website and the Native American Images Project is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the many features of native life, both past and present. Founded in 1743, the A.P.S. catalogues a living historical record through “excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach” in addition to being the prototype for future philanthropic anthropological organizations.

Cherokee man dressed as a Plains Indian

     The Native American Images Project is organized into eight distinctive categories – Stereotypes, Collaborations, Portraits of Distinction, Languages and Writing, Architecture, Families and Communities, Gathering Together, and Shaping Beauty – and gives the viewer an opportunity to explore a facet of Native American history in the comforts of home.

     Though each of these respective categories are both interesting and informative, I personally found the gallery Stereotypes to be an insightful look in to how stereotypes can distort and influence one’s perception of an entire group of individuals. One photograph that really stood out to me was of a Cherokee man dressed in Plains-Indian garb performing for tourists in an act called “chiefing”. I hadn’t heard of the term before and learned that it is used to describe the way Native Americans perpetuate a native-stereotype for tourists in order to earn money. In this case, the man is dressed as a Plains Indian with a feathered headdress to appeal to tourists even though, traditionally and historically, the Cherokee people would not have dressed this way. 

Cherokee Man dressed in culturally blended attire including
the "Cherokee Turban"

     By the mid-18^th century Cherokee men embraced many aspects of non-native wear including cotton shirts, pants, and coats and adopted a uniquely styled headdress dubbed the “Cherokee Turban” as opposed to the more traditional buckskin or cotton-trade shirt, loincloth, earrings, and over-the-shoulder blanket.


     In researching the aspects of this gallery I’ve learned that both non-natives and natives alike can perpetuate stereotypes that can be harmful to the historical preservation of Native American culture. It is imperative, especially in regards to tourists, to demonstrate authenticity and not clamor to appeal to traditional stereotypes about natives in order to make money. It’s understandable that many people must make sacrifices in order to support their families and sustain themselves, however, is the price of earning money really worth stooping to a level of cultural accommodation?

Traditional Cherokee Warrior - 

Sources:

"Native American Images Project." Native American Images Project. Accessed February 05, 2016. https://amphilsoc.org/exhibit/natamimages/stereotypes.

"First Cherokee Contact with the Europeans." American History USA. Accessed February 05, 2016. https://www.americanhistoryusa.com/first-contact-europeans/.

United States. National Park Service. "Cherokee Warriors Arm Themselves (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. 2016. Accessed February 05, 2016. http://www.nps.gov/articles/warriors-of-the-white-feather.htm.

"FAQ | The Museum of the Cherokee Indian." The Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Accessed February 05, 2016. http://www.cherokeemuseum.org/learn/faq/.