I Am Not A Mascot
Adventures Of An Indian Princess
For Indians, No Thanksgiving
Sure You Can Ask Me A Personal Question
100
How many major sports teams have native mascots?
Five
100
Why did Arletta have an issue with the Indian at the Trading Post?
He was not an Indian (wearing dark make-up); his outfit was something a respectable Indian would never wear; various other reasons...
100
What are some stereotypes of the characteristic Indian described by Dorris?
-colorful, bring the food and vanish after dessert -smoked peace pipes, sat bareback on horses and watched lots of sunsets -professional sports teams -"predictable, manageable, domesticated inventions without depth or reality apart from that bestowed by their creators" -"do not question the enforced exchange of their territories for a piece of pie. They did not pretest when they died by the millions from European disease."
100
Can your group give specific examples of alienation in previous stories we have read in class?
Various Answers
200
What are some reasons "indianness" as an American symbol has raised questions and dilemmas for Indians?
Some left communities to acquire political and economic power Felt lost in own world etc.
200
How did Arletta know her foster family would not listen to her objections to the trading post?
They never listened to her when she talked; they would ask her questions about being an Indian then answer their own questions
200
Who are the "good" Indians?
-the ones who were admitted to the occasion (Thanksgiving) -the ones who accepted Manifest Destiny -the ones who were prepared to adopt English dining customs and everything else English
200
What is the theme of this poem?
Various Answers
300
DOUBLE JEOPARDY UW-Lacrosse's mascot before Eagles was what?
When school was established in 1909 the mascot was the Indians.
300
Which character seemed most realistic? Why?
Better be e good answer!
300
Who were the "bad" Indians?
-resisted English ways -one who found back when their religion & customs were declared illegal
300
How do you think the author was feeling when she wrote this poem and why?
Various Answers...
400
Name two colleges that have native mascots that are mentioned in the story?
Dartmouth Stanford Florida St UW-Lacrosse University of Illinois
400
Why wasn't Arletta ashamed of throwing up all over the car?
Various acceptable answers - related to not being heard - a symbolic objection to that
400
Why do so many Native Americans refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving?
-"it was maybe their last square meal" -event showing political domination -clearly shows who is in charge of the occasion -a "pageant all were forced to watch" with offensive characters
400
In the poem, the author gave examples of stereotypes Indians are commonly made fun of. Name three of these stereotypes.
High Cheekbones Long Hair Drinking Problems
500
Why was the 1991 World Series in Minneapolis particularly explosive for both sides?
Both the World Series and Superbowl took place in Minneapolis, which has a high concentration of Indians and with a team in each event having a "native" name it lead to protests about Indian mascots in American sports.
500
Was Jackson Rapier and his family racist? Why or why not? DOUBLE jEOPARDY
Various answers...
500
What are some cultural images of Thanksgiving and which of these images are offensive to you or Native Americans?
Discuss.
500
DOUBLE JEOPARDY Who is the celebrity mentioned in the poem that may or may not be of Indian descent?
Cher
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