Killers of the Flower Moon

The book was really good.

I don’t read a lot of non-fictional stories, but it was well written and entertaining. The problem with reading mostly anything historical involving our people is that it’s also extremely sad. From the moment you pick up that book and turn to the first page, you know it’s gonna be a tough read.

It just is what it is, there’s no escaping it. At this point we kind of just have to prepare ourselves going into it.

Having said that, the realities of what happened to our people, never become any easier to digest.

So, the Book or the Movie?

At least once a year I come face to face with a familiar dilemma.

Do I read the book first and spoil the movie, or do I wait and watch the movie, but ruin the book?

Is the book always better than the movie? (see meme below wink* wink*)

In this case I’m not sure if it will be, however I do feel there’s a few things that are going to be left out. There always is.

Below is a direct passage from the book. It also explains the title of the story.

“In May, when coyotes howl beneath an unnervingly large moon, taller plants, such as spider-worts and black-eyed Susans, begin to creep over the tinier blooms, stealing their light and water. The necks of the smaller flowers break and their petals flutter away, and before long they are buried underground. This is why the Osage Indians refer to May as the time of the flower-killing moon.”

Who to Watch

I have a few characters that I’m really excited to see.

The most obvious choice is Molly. She is being portrayed by Lily Gladstone. The entire story is centered around her and mark my words, she will not disappoint.

Next is Ernest, who is being played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He’s Molly’s husband and should get about the same amount of screen time as her. His inner dialogue is very interesting in the book. Can’t wait to see the silver screen translation.

Last up we have Hale, who is being brought to life by none other than the great Robert De Niro. His character is going to be an interesting one to see develop.

Obviously those three are the ones who will carry the film, but I’m really interested in seeing the lawyer, who is half native and half white. He goes by the name John Palmer and plays a pivotal role in the story. I hope they do him justice in the movie, he’s great in the book.

Prediction

Without giving away any spoilers, I think it’s going to end the same way as it did in the book.

Overall, my prediction is the movie is going to be really sad, but it’s also going to be an eye-opener. If they stay close to the book’s storyline this movie will be a top 3 Native film, if not the best of all time.

I feel like our wealthier gaming Tribes will immediately draw parallels to the lives of the Osage people. Their interactions with the government may be very different, but I’m confident they will see a few commonalities.

Natives as a whole will absolutely relate to this film, and I’m excited to see .

If you don’t know, now you know, a Native.

I’ve included a trailer of the movie for your viewing pleasure, enjoy.

Sportswashing by the Chicago Blackhawks

In recent years, the world of professional sports has witnessed a concerning phenomenon referred to as "paid patriotism." This term, coined by the late Senator John McCain, describes a practice in which the Pentagon funnels millions of dollars into sporting events, both professional and collegiate, to create an illusion of organic admiration for the military. These efforts include color-guard presentations and tributes to soldiers and veterans, essentially turning sports events into a stage for patriotic display.

One example of "paid patriotism" emerged in the NFL when McCain’s report pressured the league to return some of the payments. The report also shed light on Daniel Snyder's Washington NFL team's questionable support of certain Native American groups while maintaining a controversial team name and logo that appropriated and mocked Native history and culture.

Recently, the NHL's Chicago franchise adopted a similar strategy. The team disbursed a substantial sum of approximately $433,000 to the Sac and Fox Nation in Oklahoma. This substantial financial support aimed to secure indigenous support for the team's appropriation of Native iconography. The choice of the Sac and Fox Nation was made because of their historical association with Black Hawk, a Native leader known for fighting the U.S. Army in the 19th century.

The Chicago Blackhawks organization, while defending its actions as compassionate, has entered into a partnership with the Sac and Fox Nation. The partnership focuses on various initiatives, including education, veterans, health, cultural continuity, tribal elders, and economic development. The Blackhawks even facilitated the donation of a decommissioned Army helicopter to the tribe.

However, critics argue that these efforts are a form of "Sportswashing," a term that describes institutions using sports to deflect public attention from problematic issues while attempting to improve their public image. The American Indian Center of Chicago disassociated itself from partnering with the Blackhawks, recognizing the harm in perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

This practice of "sportswashing" extends beyond global sporting events, like the Olympics or the World Cup, and occurs on smaller scales within the United States. Teams like Atlanta's baseball team, Kansas City's football team, and the former Washington football team have all used relationships with Native American groups to rationalize the continued use of offensive names and imagery.

What makes this trend particularly troubling is that these clubs could support Native American groups without exploiting their culture for profit. A more appropriate term for such actions would be altruism. It's essential for sports organizations to move beyond "paid patriotism" and engage in genuine efforts to promote positive change and respect for all cultures and communities.

Lily Gladstone-Blackfeet

Lily Gladstone, born in Kalispell, Montana, is a remarkable actress whose performances have captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Her journey from the picturesque landscapes of Montana to the bustling streets of Hollywood has made her a rising star known for her grace and versatility on screen.

Raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, Lily has always had a deep connection to her Tribal heritage. Her upbringing instilled in her a profound appreciation for storytelling and the natural world, which would later become essential elements of her artistic expression.

Gladstone's breakout moment came with her role in "Certain Women" (2016), a film directed by Kelly Reichardt. In this anthology film, she portrayed Jamie, a quiet ranch hand who becomes infatuated with an out-of-town lawyer, beautifully capturing the longing and isolation of her character. Her performance was great, earning her critical acclaim and paving the way for further opportunities in the industry.

For all you gamers out there, she also played a main role in the critically acclaimed video game "The Last of Us Part II" (2020), where she lent her voice and likeness to the character of "Dina." The game's emotionally charged complex characters resonated with players worldwide, and Gladstone's contribution was integral to its success.

Her most recent as well as biggest project, "Killers of the Flower Moon," is a testament to her commitment of telling Native stories. Directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio the film explores the tragedy of the Osage people of Oklahoma. Gladstone's portrayal of Mollie Burkhart, should deliver a performance nothing short of remarkable.

Beyond her acting prowess, she is an advocate for Native representation in Hollywood. She believes in the power of storytelling to foster understanding and empathy across cultures and strives to be a voice for Tribal communities.

In a world where diversity and inclusion are paramount, her legacy underscores the importance of authentic representation while breaking down barriers in the entertainment industry.

Although Buffy Sainte-Marie, was the first Native woman to win an Oscar for best original music, congratulations by the way. Here’s to hoping Lily can be the first Native Woman to win for acting. I have a very strong feeling that she will.

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