Ticci Man Project - Why TMP Is Needed

There is so much to teach you. What I know was given to me for men and it is true and it is beautiful...

...Then I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw: for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shape of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all things as they must live together like one being. And I saw the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy....

---Sacred Power-vision of Black Elk, Medicine Man of the Lakota, Ogalala band

The Ancient One has come to heal the great hoop of our people, that we may fulfill the visions of the holy ones....

---Istaqa's Sacred Death Dance (from Koto and the Ticci Man)

Overview...

There are many misunderstandings about today's Native American (NA). Although many are top professionals in their fields, whether lawyers, doctors, business operators, artists, or more (all of which crush all stereotyping of Indians), there is another side to this sector of society that should be seen as deeply disturbing to any American who cares about humanity.

Most Americans mistakenly believe that the majority of Native Americans (NAs) are wealthy due to Indian gaming. Few realize that the vast majority of NAs actually live in poverty and often in worse than Third World conditions across the country--that they suffer tremendously.

For example, NAs have the highest suicide, drug abuse, and alcoholism rates of any sector of society. Unemployment rates for NAs typically exceed 30% while educational drop out rates are the highest in the nation of any group. Reservations often lack clean drinking water or proper sanitation or healthcare access.

Although sovereign nations containing much of the naturally occurring wealth in the US, Indian reservations are often denied the ability to extract such resources for their own gain by the government. And the list of ailments seems endless and largely unreported to, and unnoticed by, the general public.

Even when NAs try to lift themselves out of their tragic circumstances and enterprise for themselves, a multitude of other difficulties confront their efforts: banks still practice illegal “redlining” and routinely refuse Indians small business loans while employers often refuse to hire them. Federal government still over-regulates and disincentives them into obscurity while big corporations (many of which are foreign entities), continue to intrude on what scarce resources they have while often destroying their environments, and much more.

Amazingly, this group of proud Americans takes our country’s abuse and shames us all with their supreme level of turn the other cheek patriotism, for no other race or ethnicity in America provides more service to our US military per capita—NAs routinely aid and protect a country that does not really do the same for them—its utterly amazing!

While Native Americans in the US suffer, theirs is an easy life compared to that of the world Indian. Just travel to foreign countries below our Southern border and across the planet and with close examination, you will discover that Native people are still very much treated as third class citizens, often the victims of severe racism and prejudice in countries that routinely deny they have a racism problem.

Compounding and adding to all these problems is the hidden aspect of racism and prejudice for NAs in Hollywood!

Hollywood got its unofficial start when Nestor Company opened its first studio in an old tavern on the corner of Sunset and Gower in 1911. It was soon followed by the shops of industry greats Cecil B. DeMille and D. W. Griffith. However, filmmaking itself got its official start on June 11, 1878 featuring a horse by the name of "Sallie Gardner" running for 20 feet and filmed by 24 stereoscopic cameras. Ever since then, horses have remained in film, largely due to cowboy and Indian films that typically made evil savages of Indians. At least as early as 1901, the film, The Indian Chief and the Seidlitz Powder, Indians have been depicted in films, and often as unwitting buffoons, nearly always in roles that defaced and devalued them in the eyes of society.

A quick review of Hollywood’s film and television history show us a few ugly facts most of us ignore or find hard to accept:

Native Americans are all but absent from leading roles in major feature films and prime time or mainstream television, not to mention industry awards.

Of the thousands of films depicting Native American characters, Native Americans are typically relegated to stereotypical roles, such as feather wearing and screaming Indians on the rampage against Whites, or drunken or violent characters, even when stories are set in modern eras.

Native Americans are often discriminated against or receive few opportunities that keep them from entering into mainstream media and film at any level, whether behind the camera, directing it, in front of it, or more. And when they do get past the gatekeepers, they are often relegated to remain in the low budget ("B" level) areas of film or television production, rarely getting the opportunity to rise or shine in major productions.

History clearly shows us that most all television series and features turn their back to modern NA cultural content or issues, while, in stark contrast, Blacks, Hispanics, Whites, and Asians have had their worlds and issues quite fully explored.

Hollywood, for most of its history and still today, often places nonNative Americans in roles depicting Indian characters, effectively blocking NAs from the industry when such rare parts are offered. Films as recent as the 1990 release of Dances With Wolves were among the first to actually utilize real NAs for Indian characters.

Compounding the problem, many major films still falsely proclaim to use NA talent even though that talent is not actually of significant NA heritage or considered NA by the Native American community (it's racially tantamount to painting a White person black and calling him or her African-American).

Remarkably, in over a hundred years of Hollywood’s existence, there has never been one major film or successful television series featuring a modern Native American hero in a leading role portrayed by a Native American!

Instead, the Native American has the distinct honor of pointing to over 4,000 films in Hollywood's history that depict racists and stereotype images of Indians, effectively imprinting the collective psychic of society with a devaluing, debasing image of Native people.

Most of us volunteers at TMP are working members in Hollywood and we recognize our industry's shortcomings and we want to help Hollywood clean up this sad mess and its reputation. We are brutal on ourselves because we deserve it and because we want to wake others up to the realities so they will pitch in and lend us a hand to clean up our industry and elevate it. In short, we are doing our best not only to help Native America, but Hollywood, too.

Imagine being a Native American or Indian anywhere in the world and never having had your big screen hero character to look up to and indentify with—Hollywood having abandoned you all your life--but not Asians, not Hispanics, not Blacks, not Whites.

Imagine being essentially told you’re less than human in Peru or Mexico or other parts of the world because you’re an Indian and society silently devalues and debases Indians while claiming not to be racist. Imagine every time you see an Indian in films or television they are on the rampage and portrayed as brutal and savage, or foolish, violent, drunk, or stupid, etc.. Growing up Indian and watching Hollywood’s outputs, one might think this is what is expected of an Indian in modern America, no?

To the credit of these amazing people, do they march on Hollywood in great protest---well not yet anyway---instead, they humbly accept their role in society---but now people in the non-Indian community are saying enough is enough---please---let their be light and healing. And those people are us---TMP.

Could Hollywood's ideas and constant image projections of Indians actually be reflected on today's Indian reservations in a sad twist of irony?

Ironically, we in Hollywood say our images and stories merely reflect society and do not help form it. And yet it is a proven fact that advertising, using film or television, etc., changes behavior in our population. We wear certain clothes, learn to value instant messaging or instant diners, or disrespect our parents, or how to bash men, or devalue dirty drinking water that has insufficient vitamins, etc. all from adverting in one form or another.

If advertising did not work, the cellular phone industry would likely not even be an industry, but still a novel idea for the wealthy. If advertising or sending a message didn't work, then why do marketers spends billions of dollars a year on it? Why is there a direct correlation between advertising dollars spent and increased sales (provided ads are designed properly)? Why---because advertising---changing consumer behavior through mass communication---works!

Whether the message is repeated in 30 second commercials or interwoven into a one hour drama, the fact is, there is "selling of a value system or ideology" going on. Our shows expose issues, our commercials expose issues, our shows offer alternative ways of thinking, our commercials offer alterative ways of doing, and the list of parallels in nearly endless. Denying a truth does not kill a fact, it merely disguises it.

The truth is, we as entertainment producers are the great deceivers--we even deceive ourselves--for we sell one set of ideas hidden inside our content through the dramatic element and then tell the world we're not selling anything (we're technically right, no goods are being pushed, but what about ideology and value systems--those count too, no?). While it may be true that most film and television attempts to reflect and dramatize society, the fact is, much of it transforms society---Hollywood refuses to acknowledge this simple and verifiable fact.

Yet advertisers make no qualms about telling us they're trying to change our behavior---we know they're selling us something. And to do it, they often create a whole new value system for us to accept (or ignore). For example, this product makes your teeth look whiter and if you do not have white teeth, the opposite sex will think you're nasty! That's the message projected from an advertiser's value system. It is sold to the world. If we buy into it, we buy the product and maybe even harass others into buying it by voicing our own self-importance (i.e. "I evolved buddy, now it's your turn you yellow tooth Ape.").

The advertiser's goal is for us to adopt their value system. They achieve their goal by "impressions" of the message on the public psychic. Say it once---who cares---say it ten times, some listen---say it fifty times, many of us buy it. Now imagine saying it 4,000 times in film---Indians are bad, Indians are savage, Indians are to be devalued and debased? Do you see the correlation between advertising and dramatic communications to the masses?

While advertising is clearly aimed at modifying social behavior, so too can entertainment content affect society. The key for content providers is to offer balance or opposing viewpoints that result in neutral issue buoyancy--basically, show opposing viewpoints in equal measure so as not to forward (or sell) a value system but instead explore the issues of it.

For example, a show that sends a message that being Gay is normal and acceptable behavior in its content is also selling a value system just as Jerry Farwell is selling a value system when he says Gays are unnatural, bad, and should be discriminated against when it comes to marriage, etc.. Other examples abound but exposing alternative viewpoints should not be our main concern, but instead, showing balance perspectives should be (as an industry of responsible professionals).

Having both sides heard in a value system argument gives us balance in content and allows society to form its own opinion instead of having it molded for them. Given that content must often take the viewpoint of one side or the other in a viewpoint to be effective dramatically, then the alternative method for achieving neutral issue buoyancy is to provide equivalent class and reach content that shows the other side of the same issue. For example, neutral issue buoyancy rule dictates you can create one film about bad Indians, but you must do another about good ones that is equal in size, scope, distribution, etc.. This is where Hollywood dramatically falls down.

Neutral issue buoyancy is not showing 4,000 films of raving lunatic Indians slaughtering White settlers and then 10 films showing the whitewashed version of a soft and mystical side of being an Indian, etc. or a handful of great documentaries that only get public broadcasting airtime and are not seen by most people. Hence Hollywood still has a very long way to go toward achieving neutral issue buoyancy.

The cold fact is that our shows, films, and even the processes that get us to those outputs, are transforming the behavior of individuals, hence society, by showing us what we should value and devalue as an entertainment industry--effective as any advertising. It follows then that if we want less negative behavior, we must balance our messages with positive attributes as well. If we want to show the crazy and drunken Indian, okay, fine, but how about showing us the intelligent and wise Indian in equal force, too! We did that for Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Whites, etc. so why not Native Americans, too---unless Hollywood is racist and discriminatory by intent?

We ask, where are all the positive characterizations of Native Americans in Hollywood's outputs that blow our mind and astound us? Where is the balance? Where is the neutral issue buoyancy? Why has the pendulum been swung so high to the negative side for Indians and never allowed to return to equilibrium? How many films and depictions have we seen, of say, cowboys and Indians--do you realize that over 98% of all films ever made depicting Indians show them as the bad guys? Thousands of films---almost all Indians as bad guys! Wow! Where's the balance? What do we value and devalue as a result? How does this impact today's Indian, especially children?

Are we to think there is no discrimination in Hollywood because Indians really are bad and need to be hated just as much as say, Hitler's Nazis? In fact, it might be successfully argued that there are more films depicting good guy Nazis than there are films depicting good guy Indians? In Japan, they used to honor the vanquished warrior who fought with honor but in the US, we slay them for a hundred years--for we are still slaying the Indian today. Is that Hollywood's motto---because if we just look at Hollywood's outputs, we can clearly see the Indian is still the bad guy in nearly every sense of the word, including being prohibited from starring roles in major films and series. That's discrimination and racism, clear and simple, whether we admit it or not.

Hollywood's outputs help show society what to value and devalue and today, Hollywood still devalues Indians--hence so does the world. We must change this formula for humanity's sake.

An Amazing History Still Ignored By Hollywood

Most Americans do not realize there are hundreds of hero figures in Native American history--some figures so amazing, powerful, wonderful, or inspiring that it's utterly astounding Hollywood has ignored such fantastic story material. The true fact is, Native American heroes inside this nation make many of today's best and brightest nonNative heroes look like pale light bulbs in comparison, but thanks to Hollywood's discrimination, most of us may never come to know such unique and rich histories, cultures, or people! We have an entire segment of society---some of the greatest heroes the world has never known---and yet their stories remain hidden to us due to the ubiquitous silence and denied prejudice that remains with us in America, and especially Hollywood, to this very day. That's a true modern tragedy.

Given the fact that Americans once embarked on a national scheme of ethnic cleansing to rid the world of Native Americans, is it any wonder that Hollywood continues to keep the Indian hidden or downtrodden, even if by subconscious happenstance rather than deliberate racist action? We need only realize the facts, acknowledge them and our shortcomings, to allow the healing process to begin--we can change this status quo in society and in Hollywood with a small amount of effort--by building up our sensitivity to the issues and facing them head on.

Losing American History - Native America Vanishing

Meanwhile, while Hollywood ignores the Native American of today, the world is losing NA tribes and cultures across the US, Canada, and elsewhere, hence we are losing our country's collective history--- stories of some of the greatest people and cultures on Earth forever lost!

It's sad to realize that in over a 100 years of filmmaking history, we're still asking, "where are the scores of great modern day iconic American Indian heroes in film and TV to balance all those savage Indian bad guy depictions? Where is the 4,000 films of good-sided Indians that bring us closer to neutral issue buoyancy and help balance out all those negative depictions of the past? How about just one major Indian hero?"

What does this say about our beloved Hollywood? What are we “advertising” to the world—especially to NAs? What do we value and devalue as a society and an industry? Is this the Hollywood we insiders want the world to see us for--is the image we wish to sustain--or are we better than that and are we willing to start on change today--for all our benefits?

Let's have some balance here, too. Let's hear from those on the other side of this issue or argument.

Some folks in Hollywood have said that the war of the West is long over and as victors, we do not owe Native Americans anything. It’s sad this sentiment still exist in some pockets of society, but let’s assume for argument’s sake this minority opinion is right. However, what do we owe to us, our industry, our own careers and self respect and the image we, as an industry, envelope and project through our combined work products and outputs that we allow pressed on the world—what do we value and devalue—do we intend an industry of hidden or overt racism against Native Americans—are we all willing to condone it with our blind eye, screw it, make fun of it attitudes that ignores facts and the great harms caused? Can we move forward with status quo, having now had our eyes opened to our collective oversights?

Would we tolerate these things if the group being so severely prejudiced were say, Jews---try to imagine all the films and talent that this world would have missed had Jews not been involved with Hollywood? What great talent and films is the world missing because Native Americans are omitted? We may never know...

Or can we take a higher road and join together as an industry and contribute to fixing the problem instead, thus restoring our own pride and decency in the process? What is the humane thing? The right thing? The just thing? The overdue thing?

In order to further a cure, we must first recognize the disease by examining the facts. We point out these issues on behalf of NAs and Hollywood not toward assigning blame to anyone, but toward getting us to all focus on the need for industry change and redemption. We must, and can, evolve to a higher level. Hollywood is the most resilient industry on Earth and we can fix just about anything, so why not this, too? It all starts with great industry awareness building projects like TMP. It starts with stars and celebrities showing their concern for humanity and coming together in support of positive change and in celebrating a people and culture long unrecognized for its wonder and beauty---Native America.

What can be more uplifting and inspiring than bringing together the Native American community and mainstream Hollywood toward creating a better tomorrow for both?

Imagine a first rate (major) Hollywood project that gives the world high profile Native American heroes on both the little and big screen. Imagine hundreds of stars coming together in support of Hollywood and awareness and aid for Native America. Imagine changing the image of Hollywood and Native Americanism for a whole new generation of NAs and Indians around the world! Imagine Indians having an internationally recognized icon they can identify with or at least brag about and root for or happily bitch about. Imagine NAs having their issues subtly exposed through mainstream entertainment that reaches millions of viewers in the US and around the world weekly! Imagine world audiences being thrilled by one of the most fascinating and exciting characters of all time that will leave them begging for more--an Indian hero named the Ticci Man---just imagine that!

What could that level of positive "advertising" (value system projections) and image building do to reverse a 100 years of racism and discrimination in Hollywood for Native Americans? What kind of new respect might the Indian experience from such a magnificent gesture from all of us in Hollywood?

Tiger Woods is an appropriate example here... A role model for his golf talent yes, but more importantly, for what he did for Blacks and Whites and racial relations as he rose to the top of his profession.

Before Tiger, there were many sad racist jokes at the golf courses across the US but when Tiger came on the scene, the jokes slowed, then stopped. Next, the jokes actually evolved and were made against White golfers, which was a major social transformation break-through at the time. And then society began to emulate what was happening on golf courses around the world and the jokes just died out completely against both Blacks and Whites. Blacks began to notice a new found respect. Was prejudice eliminated, no, but did Tiger, who lead by "hero role model example", make a difference---you're damn straight!

Change begins with our leaders who are in the spotlights of society have the opportunity to guide society. Native Americans are not asking for more than anyone else, just to be equal and treated with respect---and Hollywood can help them win that great fleeting prize by helping them get their heroes, too! Le tone studio rise above the others and fund the Ticci Man film and series and lets start the move forward on balancing that pendulum.

This project began when a film producer tried to make a major studio-level film and series project featuring an Indian hero portrayed by an Indian hero---and they all said no way! Not because the material was not commercial enough, but because they could not cast an Indian in the lead role. We're not kidding!!!

From that sad history a a unique character who had been stung by Hollywood racism and discrimination, this project took on its life and it name in honor of that fallen hero.

The Ticci Man Project isn’t some miracle project that will save the world or NAs or Hollywood, but it is a project with a major corrective step in the right direction that could help us all be rightfully proud of Hollywood again—a small repayment of a 100 year old debt long overdue—especially given that Hollywood has made hundreds of billions of dollars exploiting Indians and their culture over that period. This is our chance to show respect and do the right thing on behalf of our industry and America’s first people. It should not be the last of its kind but merely the beginning.

We use the term Native American (NA) in the purely anthropological sense to denote "aboriginal people of the Western Hemisphere," which includes a wide variety of self-descriptive nomenclatures, including Canada's First Nations People and many others of the American continents and Pacific Island groups. When more specific descriptions are used, they will include current country of origin or commonly known tribal names (i.e. Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Dine, etc.).

Overview...

An Amazing History Still Ignored By Hollywood

Losing American History - Native America Vanishing

Feedback * general [at] ticciman.com * Last modified: May 11, 2010