Prof. speaks on 'Playing Indian'

Balancing humor with intellect, University of Colorado history Prof. Phil Deloria lectured about the underlying themes of his book "Playing Indian," while educating nearly 100 audience members with entertaining slides of political cartoons, documents and photographs used to illustrate his arguments.

During Tuesday's discussion in Rackham Amphitheater, Deloria used U.S. history to support the concepts in his book about the stereotypes Native Americans must perpetually confront. He gave an historical account of the birth and evolution of the Native American role in U.S. society.

DANNY KALICK/Daily University of Colorado history Prof. Phil Deloria speaks Tuesday at Rackham Amphitheater about Native American issues and his book "Playing Indian."

He spoke about U.S. history using slides that lured the audience of students and community members into the discussion. One of the first slides Deloria showed pictured the label of Snapple iced tea. He drew attention to the Boston Tea Party scene etched on the bottle and questioned its purpose.

He used this minute detail on the Snapple label to lead into his argument about how Native Americans and their culture have played and continue to play a role in the American identity. "What's up with the Indian thing?" he asked, referring to the Snapple label.

He described how participants in the Boston Tea Party dressed as Native Americans, suggesting that they wanted to mask themselves as Native Americans so that the British would associate colonial Americans with Native Americans.

Rackham student Andrew Adams introduced Deloria, calling him an "established and emerging author."

Another part of Deloria's presentation focused on his explanation of the value system in the United States as related to the stereotypical perspective placed on Native Americans. He explained the system as a hierarchy, with nobles on top, savages on bottom and Indians falling into both categories.

Contrary to what many people believe, Native Americans do not need to fit the physical description associated with their culture to identify as Native American, Deloria said.

"I agree with him that authenticity doesn't mean truth because non-Indian people think of Indians in stereotypical terms," said Law first-year student Kirsten Carlson, a member of the Native American Law Student Association.

"His analysis of closeness versus the value system was really good. It added a lot of perspective," Carlson said.

Deloria opened his lecture recalling the last time he spoke in the amphitheater at Rackham. "Something about this room just scared the hell out of me," he said, evoking laughter from the audience.

11-18-99