Indian Comics Irregular #25

"Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World" is Disney's direct-to-video
sequel to Pocahontas. Since more people are likely to see this than
other Native-themed products such as PEACE PARTY, let's examine the
message it conveys.

The movie: Jamestown and Powhatan Indians thrive independently.
Newcomer John Rolfe conveys Pocahontas to England to ensure peace.
Pocahontas must act "civilized" to persuade King James not to send
armada. Pocahontas stops cruel bear-baiting, is thrown in dungeon.
Rolfe and resurrected John Smith rescue her. Pocahontas bursts in on
King James in "uncivilized" manner, demands peace. King James
acquiesces. Smith, Rolfe, and Pocahontas stop armada before it sails.
Pocahontas chooses Rolfe over rival Smith. Pocahontas and Rolfe sail
off into sunset.

The reality: Powhatan Indians declare war on Jamestown. Jamestown
nears collapse. English colonists capture Pocahontas, hold her
hostage. Chief Powhatan agrees to peace. Widower Rolfe marries
Pocahontas in captivity and she bears him a son. Rolfe takes
Pocahontas to England to meet kin. Smith, whom Pocahontas calls
"father," writes letter of introduction to persuade King James to see
her. Pocahontas is a novelty in high society. After seven months,
Pocahontas dies of pneumonia without returning home.

Hmm. Regardless of its quality, a movie that denies the historical
reality is a cheat. Though this film is entertaining, its message is
a whitewash of English imperialism. Rob's rating: 7.5 of 10.

For the full review, visit our site at
http://members.xoom.com/peaceparty/pocahon2.htm. For the Powhatan
Indians' view of the Pocahontas movies, go to
http://www.powhatan.org/pocc.html.

Stereotype of the Month

Speaking of stereotypes--and we usually are--what do a Wal-Mart
subsidiary's training program, an ex-wife's custody battle, and a
neo-Nazi's opinion have in common? They're all entries in our first
Stereotype of the Month contest.

Among other things, participants will learn that Indians came to
America aboard the good ship Cauliflower. Wow, is that silly or what?
Everyone knows the Pilgrims came on the Cauliflower, not the Indians.
The Indians came on the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. They
discovered America while looking for the Indies. (Indies,
Indians...get it?)

Check out the contest at
http://members.xoom.com/peaceparty/stertype.htm. Enter the latest
stereotype you've come across and you just may win.

The $65 Answer

The PEACE PARTY plaudits continue. In his February Fond du Lac
Follies column, Jim Northrup wrote, "My grandson, Ezigaa, read it and
gave it 3.5 moccasins." That discerning youngster is only nine years
old. At the First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) award ceremony, actor
Michael Horse called PEACE PARTY "Wonderful!" Michael's mother was an
animator on "Bambi," so he knows cartoons and comics.

I entered a set of PEACE PARTY #1-2 in FAITA's silent auction, with
the proceeds going to support the organization's work. With a retail
value of $5.90, I figured the comics might get one bid at the $10
minimum. Instead, five competing bidders kept raising the stakes. The
winning bid? Sixty-five dollars!

I'm glad to raise that much money for a worthy cause. And I'm glad
people see PEACE PARTY as the novel product it is. Retailers,
educators, fans...note the excitement a comic book can generate.

Rob Schmidt
Blue Corn Comics