Animating Native Culture: A Contemporary Learning Experience for Children Through Film

New Animated film offers Teachers a Resource to Discuss Contemporary Native American Life

This Thanksgiving, a new animated short film, “Pow!,” is being distributed to over 20,000 teachers as a tool to foster discussions about contemporary Native American life with students. for to long, education surrounding Native Americans has been limited, often relegated to historical narratives centered around Thanksgiving. This film aims to change that.

The film centers on Jake, a disengaged teenager reluctantly attending a powwow with his family. Initially absorbed in video games, Jake’s perspective shifts when his battery dies, forcing him to engage with the vibrant community around him. Created by Joey Clift, a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and a TV writer/comedian, “Pow!” strives to provide the kind of Native representation Clift wished he’d seen growing up.

“A lot of the work that I do is trying to create the sorts of Native representation that I wish existed when I was a kid,” Clift explains. He recalls a childhood where Native Americans were primarily acknowledged during Thanksgiving through depictions like the Charlie Brown special.

Authenticity is at the heart of “Pow!” The film boasts an all-Native voice cast and benefited from consultations with various Native communities to ensure accurate portrayals of dance, regalia, and cultural practices. Animators even used footage of real powwow dancers as a reference.

beyond jake’s journey, the film also explores the poignant story of his grandmother, a boarding school survivor grappling with a complex relationship to her heritage. her experiences are depicted through emotionally resonant flashbacks animated in the style of ledger art – a historical art form born from trauma, where Native artists used ledger books provided by settlers as canvases to express and heal.

“That was the only paper they had,” Clift notes.”So they were literally using art to heal their trauma.”

“Pow!” isn’t just about showcasing a powwow; it’s about offering a nuanced and contemporary look at Native American life, resilience, and the importance of cultural connection. It’s a resource designed to move beyond outdated stereotypes and spark meaningful conversations in classrooms across the country.

How does the use of animation specifically address the challenges of representing sensitive cultural or spiritual beliefs compared to live-action filmmaking?

The Power of Indigenous Storytelling in Animation

For generations, oral storytelling has been the cornerstone of preserving and transmitting Native american cultures. Today, a powerful new medium – animation – is revitalizing these traditions and offering contemporary learning experiences for children. This isn’t simply about entertainment; it’s about cultural preservation, education, and fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. Utilizing Indigenous animation, Native American films for kids, and cultural storytelling through moving images provides a unique and engaging way for young audiences to connect with history, values, and artistic expression.

Why Animation is Ideal for Cultural Education

Animation offers several advantages over live-action film when it comes to representing native cultures for children:

* Creative freedom: Animators can visually depict conventional stories, spiritual beliefs, and historical events with sensitivity and accuracy, even when live-action representation is challenging.

* Accessibility: Animation can break down complex concepts and make them accessible to younger audiences.

* Visual Storytelling: The visual nature of animation enhances engagement and retention, especially for visual learners.

* Representation & Empowerment: Seeing themselves reflected in animated characters empowers Native children and promotes positive self-identity. this combats historical misrepresentation and fosters Indigenous representation in media.

* Preservation of languages: Animation can incorporate Native languages, helping to revitalize and preserve them for future generations. Native language learning benefits greatly from immersive media.

Key Themes & Stories Being Animated

Several recurring themes and stories are finding new life through animation:

* Creation Myths: Animated retellings of origin stories, like those of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s “Sky woman” or various tribal accounts of Turtle Island, offer profound insights into worldview and values.

* Trickster Tales: Characters like Coyote,Raven,and Iktomi,central to many Native cultures,are brought to life with humor and wisdom. These stories often teach valuable lessons about morality and consequences.

* Historical events: Animation can sensitively portray historical events from a Native perspective, offering a counter-narrative to dominant historical accounts. This includes stories of resilience, resistance, and cultural survival.

* Contemporary Life: Animated series and shorts are increasingly depicting the everyday lives of Native children and families, showcasing modern challenges and triumphs.This fosters contemporary native American culture understanding.

Case study: Molly of Denali – A Groundbreaking Example

Molly of denali, a PBS Kids animated series, stands as a landmark achievement in Native representation. Featuring an Alaska Native protagonist,Molly Mabray,the show:

* Authentic representation: Developed in collaboration with Alaska Native communities,ensuring cultural accuracy and sensitivity.

* Educational Focus: Integrates Alaska Native perspectives into its storylines,teaching viewers about the region’s history,geography,and culture.

* Language Integration: Features words and phrases from several Alaska Native languages.

* STEM Emphasis: Promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the lens of Native knowledge.

This series demonstrates the power of collaborative storytelling and the positive impact of educational animation focused on Indigenous cultures.

Benefits of Exposure to Native Animated Content

Exposure to these films and series offers numerous benefits for children of all backgrounds:

* Increased Cultural Awareness: Promotes understanding and respect for diverse cultures.

* Empathy & Perspective-Taking: Encourages children to see the world from different viewpoints.

* Critical thinking Skills: Challenges preconceived notions and encourages questioning dominant narratives.

* Recognition for Art & Storytelling: Introduces children to a rich tradition of artistic expression.

* Combating Stereotypes: Provides nuanced and authentic portrayals of Native people,dismantling harmful stereotypes.

Practical Tips for Educators & Parents

Here are some ways to incorporate Native animated content into learning experiences:

1. Curated viewing Lists: Create lists of age-appropriate animated films and series featuring Native characters and stories. Resources like Native Public media (https://nativepublicmedia.org/) can be invaluable.
2. Discussion Prompts: Facilitate discussions about the themes, characters, and cultural elements presented in the animation.
3. Cross-Curricular Connections: Integrate the content into lessons on history, geography, art, and language arts.
4. Community Engagement: Invite Native storytellers or artists to share their knowledge and experiences with students.
5. Support Native Animators: Seek out and promote the work of Indigenous animators and filmmakers. Look for Indigenous filmmakers and their projects.
6. Be Mindful of Representation: Critically evaluate the content for authenticity and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Resources for Finding Native Animated Content

* Native Public Media: (https://nativepublicmedia.org/) – A complete resource for Native American media.

* PBS Kids: (https://pbskids.org/) – Features Molly of Denali and other culturally relevant programming.

* First Nations Experience: ([https://[https://