Indian Comics Irregular #132

A new Native comic strip has debuted in Canada. According to its
creator, Chad Solomon (whose notes I've adapted):

"Rabbit and Bear Paws" is a humorous adventure comic strip/book set
in 1750s North America. Targeting the young and young at heart,
the series features the wild and wacky exploits of two Ojibwa
youngsters, Rabbit and Bear Paws, and their long-suffering kinfolk.
Using fable-like stories with moral messages, the comics reflect
love, respect, and community from a First Nations' perspective.

Solomon elaborates on the comics' premise:

In the 18th century the globe is becoming a smaller place. The
vast Native nations of the New World have more neighbors with
each passing season. Even with all these new arrivals, the
aboriginal communities remain at peace...all but one tiny village
where two young tricksters play their games.

In "Book One: Respect," the Ojibwa people gather one spring to
produce maple sugar. Not interested in doing chores, Bear Paws and
Rabbit use medicine powder to turn into animals and pocket
some food. Their plot backfires when their parents discover them.

Solomon says his goal with "Rabbit and Bear Paws" is to entertain
while using traditional values and humor. He collaborated
with writer Christopher Myer to create the series with the guidance of
community elders. The first adventure is based on the teachings
of the Seven Grandfathers (i.e., wisdom from the Anishinabek
people).

Solomon first found success in 2003 with the release of two children's
tales, "The Pied Piper" and "The Ten Commandments." He became
aware that there were no "cool" comics for his Native community and
that many of the existing representations were stereotypical. He
hopes "Rabbit and Bear Paws" will provide positive images for Native
youth.

Solomon reports that comic-book legend Neal Adams had this to say
about his approach: "We have waited a long time for a comic strip
from a North American Indian about North American Indians. It looks
like that time has come. Kudos for our brothers."

You can find new episodes of "Rabbit and Bear Paws" weekly at
http://www.saymag.com . To view previous installments of the series
or character biographies, visit http://www.rabbitandbearpaws.com .
For my comments on Solomon's work, go to
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/solomon.htm .

Indian Mascots Banished

Speaking of stereotypes, the National Collegiate Athletic Association
triggered a huge debate on the subject with its August decision to ban
Indian mascots in postseason tournaments. Sports fans and columnists
went ballistic at the thought of losing their favorite fetishes. They
ranted and railed against the "undemocratic" and "politically correct"
ruling.

Some pundits said the NCAA decision was wrong because the Seminole
Tribe of Florida supports Florida State University's use of its "Chief
Osceola." Others offered the tired old claim that savage,
warlike mascots "honor" Indians. Still others demanded to know why
the NCAA didn't penalize Notre Dame's "Fighting Irish."

You can see how I rebutted these arguments in "Why FSU's Seminoles
Aren't Okay" (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/seminole.htm), "Smashing
People: The 'Honor' of Being an Athlete"
(http://www.bluecorncomics.com/athletes.htm), and "Fighting Sioux vs.
Fighting Irish" (http://www.bluecorncomics.com/irish.htm). If you're
a mascot supporter, read 'em and weep. Otherwise, enjoy.

For more on Indian mascots, head to
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/mascots.htm .

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics