Tracy Jimenez, Mackenzie Kaiser, and Josh Abbate
Injunuity is an animated series that focuses on Native Americans and contrasts their cultural values with the values of todays western society. The series consists of nine separate short films that are animated based on the interviews with various Native American members. The series tackles issues pertaining to economics, government, alcoholism, sexuality, environmentalism, community, culture and more. Injunuity is a series which questions the world we live in today and hopes to inspire change through classic knowledge displayed in an unconventional way.
How does the use of animation in conjunction with the telling of tales impact our understanding?
"Buried"
Ohone Shell Mound being destroyed in "Buried"
Buried explains the tragic destruction of indian burial sites across the country but focuses on the Bay Street Malls construction over a massive grave that was destroyed in the dot com era. The video displays the loss of not only a moument that had stood for sometime between 2800 and 400 years, but the destruction of native culture in todays society. Buried also shows the complete lack of empathy towards Native peoples culture and belief system. Today all that remains of the Emeryville Shellmound is a small mound in the middle of a mall.
At what point is it okay to allow entrepreneurs to work on land regardless of significance to another culture? Is the commerce more important or is the values of culture more important? What can be done to prevent this type of behavior in the future? Do you think that people would have the same reaction if it was a regular graveyard?
"Tongues"
Language is a fundamental building block of history. The Native people of the United States have always understood the importance of language and the role it plays in retaining their history through the oral tradition of storytelling as well as defining the culture as a whole. Sadly, there was a time when Native language was taken away and they were “forced” to stop speaking it within the academic setting. During this time a language barrier was created and many families found it difficult to communicate with each other as their children strictly spoke english. The unity of the tribe was disrupted by this forced shift in language. In 1924 “The Indian Reorganization Act” was put into place and allowed for the reintroduction of Native history and Native language within schools.
In the animated short story “Tongues” the importance of language in the telling and retelling of oral history is exemplified in the voices of the three narrators and their point of view. The narrators stress the importance of keeping Native language within the community as language defines the community. They believe that language is the bridge to the past and allows for a unique and personal connection to their rich history. It wouldn’t be until 1975 with the “Indian Self-Determination and Dedication Assistance Act” that the federally recognized American Indian Tribes were allowed to contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and incorporate Native languages and teachings into school curriculums. Language is not only a form of expression but it also an instrumental part of the oral tradition of storytelling and even with these “Acts” in place the ability for people to speak their Native language fluently was lost.
Throughout history Native American’s have struggled to keep their language and that struggle continues today. Presently there is a push by Native people to incorporate the use of technology to aide in the conservation of their language, history, and culture.
An example of using technology to bring awareness to Native American’s perspective can be found in the animated video series Injunuity
- What are other forms of media and/ or technology that may be useful in preserving Native language and history? How could they be incorporated within the community?
- Why is it important to keep Native languages “alive” within the Oral Tradition of storytelling? How would the telling of tales be different without Native language?
"Injunuity"
Injunuity: Native Americans back then only did what they needed to do to feed their families. And ITVS says that if we focus on the wisdom inside of us and the true history of the US it will lead to space, which will cause revolution, change, and transformation. Also that taking and not giving back will lead to falling apart. ITVS states that people always take things now, but back when Native Americans were inhabiting, they always gave. ITVS is now seeking ways to contribute to contemporary society so that we may all live in harmony in a peaceful world.
What do you think is more important in life, taking, giving or both?
Contemporary Connections
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeryville_Shellmound
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