In 2019, Maine made history by becoming the first state to ban Native American mascots in public schools. Fighting Indians centers on Skowhegan High School, the last holdout with its "Indian" mascot. The documentary explores a community's struggle with its identity, history, and relations with its indigenous neighbors, reflecting national divisions around mascot debates. Starting in 2015, Native representatives confronted the school board, but the debate evolved into a spectacle when they faced the public.
The film delves into the historical abuses faced by indigenous populations and places the mascot debate in a broader national context. By capturing impassioned school board meetings and online clashes, it encapsulates contemporary political and cultural discourse. Fighting Indians emphasizes the ongoing debate's power to reignite generational pain.
While occasionally poorly paced, Fighting Indians is an intriguing exploration of modern-day colonial attitudes reinforced and emboldened by sports teams using people as mascots, making this an engaging title for those interested in Native American culture and entertainment alike. The documentary’s main focus is on the last high school in Maine to cling to the image of an ‘Indian’ as its sports mascot.
The callousness of some of the townspeople towards the Penobscot representatives is as disgusting as it is perplexing: In other instances of offense, people are more than willing to reconcile. Why is the use of a racist mascot where these people draw the line? Even the coach who revived the mascot sees the error of his ways and wants to make a change.
We see all of the reactionary backlash to this simple request and trace its true roots in systemic racism and persisting colonial attitudes. “We colonized them and we can use them however they want,” one Facebook commenter says in defense of the mascot, summing up the entire issue in one hateful offhand remark. Fighting Indians is an outstanding exposé on how big money and hateful beliefs work hand in hand to create spectacles and culture wars using online spaces. Highly Recommended.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
Documentary Collections: Fighting Indians would be an excellent addition to documentary collections focused on Native American issues, particularly those addressing the controversies surrounding the use of Native American mascots in sports teams.
Social and Cultural Studies: Given its exploration of modern-day colonial attitudes and systemic racism, Fighting Indians could also find a place in sections dedicated to social and cultural studies, providing insights into contemporary political and cultural discourse.
Current Affairs: This documentary captures the ongoing debate surrounding Native American mascots and their implications on a local and national level, making it suitable for shelves featuring current affairs and societal debates.
Educational Resources: Libraries catering to educators and researchers interested in topics such as indigenous rights, racial equity, and colonialism would benefit from including Fighting Indians in their collection, serving as a resource for academic inquiry and classroom discussions.
Sports and Entertainment: With its examination of the intersection between sports, entertainment, and cultural appropriation, Fighting Indians could also be placed among materials focusing on sports culture and its social impacts.
What sort of college instructor could use this title?
Native American Studies: College instructors teaching courses on Native American studies, indigenous rights, and cultural representation would find Fighting Indians particularly relevant. It offers valuable insights into the complexities of Native American identity and the ongoing struggles against cultural appropriation.
Sociology and Anthropology: Instructors in sociology and anthropology could incorporate Fighting Indians into their curriculum to analyze the intersections of race, power, and identity within contemporary society. The documentary provides a case study for understanding social dynamics and cultural conflicts.
Communications and Media Studies: Fighting Indians explores the role of media, particularly social media, in shaping public perceptions and fueling cultural debates. College instructors in communications and media studies could use this title to examine the impact of online spaces on contemporary social issues.
Education and Pedagogy: Given its relevance to educational settings and the debates surrounding school mascots, Fighting Indians could be utilized by instructors in education and pedagogy courses. It offers a lens through which to discuss inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches to schooling.
History and Political Science: Fighting Indians delves into the historical and political context surrounding the use of Native American mascots, making it a valuable resource for instructors teaching courses on American history, politics, and social movements. It provides a nuanced understanding of how historical legacies shape contemporary debates.