ICYMI: I’m Featured in Slate’s ‘2014 Year of Outrage’

Slate recently published a pretty remarkable round-up of this year’s outrage. Why is it remarkable? Because every day there was something to be pissed about. From Chris Christie’s “Bridgegate” to released photos of Kate Middleton’s bare bottom, Twitter was ablaze with fiery tweets in 2014 and Slate has chronicled it all.

Thanks to my friend and fellow journalist, Lindsey Anderson, I found out that I made the cut!

@amystretten Did you see your tweet is in Slate's "Year of Outrage"? June 4 on Pharrell and the headress: http://t.co/9kqB5ylU64

— Lindsey Anderson (@L_M_Anderson) December 18, 2014

When I saw Pharell (who I have met IRL and am actually a big fan of) wearing a headdress on the cover of Elle UK magazine, you know I had to say something. And, apparently Slate took note and shared my tweet.

Despite all of the many times celebrities have been shamed for cultural appropriation faux pas, it seems the controversy surrounding Native American headdresses and cultural appropriation lives on. Nicki Minaj recently shared a photo of herself topless and wearing a headdress (that may or may not be a Native American one) to announce her upcoming tour. (Le sigh…)

For more of my “outrage” in 2015 and beyond, follow me on twitter @amystretten.

-NativeJournalist

My TV Segment & Open Letter to Washington Redskins Owner Dan Snyder

Dear Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins…

In case you missed my segment on Alicia Menendez Tonight (which airs weeknights @7pm ET on the new Fusion network) you can watch it here…or tune in tonight @7:30pm ET. If you don’t have Fusion, you can watch the video HERE.

We’re more than half-way through November and for Native Americans like me, that means we’ve made it through Halloween–a holiday that makes Indigenous people groan at Pocahotties and Indian braves costumes. Once we get past the construction paper headdresses that Thanksgiving brings, there’s still just one more issue to tackle on the calendar: Washington’s NFL team, the Redskins.

Are you listening, Dan Snyder? Your Washington NFL team needs a name change.

Countless organizations and news outlets have come out in support of that change and have agreed to stop using your team’s name at all:

• President Obama
• Mayor of Washington DC, Vincent Gray
• The Oneida Indian Nation
• Sports Illustrated’s site Monday Morning Quarter Back
• Slate
• Washington City Paper
• The Kansas City Star
• MotherJones
• New Republic
• Native American Journalists Association
• American Indian Movement
• Washington, D.C. City Council
• Rep. Dan Maffei, D-N.Y.
• Kat Williams

…just to name a few!

But if TMZ’s got it right, Dan – never going to change the name – Snyder, you may be renaming your team the Washington Bravehearts, you’ve missed the point.

[…more at Fusion.net]

Love it? Hate it? Share it either way: http://fus.in/1h3gEsy  and then hit me up on Twitter @amystretten!

Happy Native American Heritage Month!

-NativeJournalist

Have you heard of Poo-Pourri?

You, too, can now be a proud party pooper!

I first heard about the stuff from my Mom about a year ago and figured it was another one of her strange Bed Bath & Beyond purchases.  Then, a few weeks ago, while browsing the Internet, I came across a hysterical ad for the product.  Like all of the commenters, I thought it was an amazing piece of marketing material…Unlike most commenters, I knew it was a real product.  After doing a bit more research, I saw that the Amazon product reviews were really great and the company behind this “magical, natural potion” was getting a lot of web traffic.  So, I decided to write a story about it (in a similar, witty/sarcastic tone and style) for Fusion (the new ABC/Univision joint-venture).  I hope you enjoy!

It’s well-established that women deal with issues deucing (yes, pooping!), especially in public restrooms. Whether it’s at school or at the office, women don’t tend to confidently stroll to the restroom like their male counterparts. Instead, women seek refuge in the furthest, least trafficked bathroom and flee the scene immediately. It’s so embarrassing for some women that the walk out of the bathroom has been referred to as “The other walk of shame.”

…to continue reading, please click here.

 

Please follow me @amystretten.

My newest piece for Fusion: Appropriating Native American Imagery Honors No One but the Prejudice

Artwork courtesy of Lalo Alcaraz of Pocho.com

 

I was a sophomore in high school, about 15 years old, when a rather hostile group of cheerleaders and football players cornered me, yelling, as I sat on a bench in the quad between classes. “Don’t you have school pride?” a cheerleader shouted. “You should feel proud! We’re honoring your people!” one football player hollered.

I was the only Native American (as far as I knew) at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, California. Irvine is a planned city in Southern California and one of the safest cities in the United States, but I didn’t feel safe that day.

I had met one-on-one with the principal, my guidance counsellor, a few teachers and several students to share my negative feelings toward our school’s mascot – an anonymous Native American “warrior” with long, flowing, jet-black hair, a large nose and huge muscles. I guess I thought if I made it known that I felt appropriating Native American imagery was offensive, they’d stop. I was outnumbered, though, and my personal feelings didn’t matter. But that’s the thing: As Native people, especially as urban Natives (what we Indigenous people living in urban centers call ourselves), we are almost always outnumbered. So, we go unnoticed and unheard. Our opinions never really matter.

Students wore goofy, cartoonish costumes of our mascot (and his equally tasteless “warrior princess” girlfriend) at pep rallies and games. The pair would dance and do occasional acrobatic moves, as they made their grand entrance to the deafening sounds of the school’s marching band, playing the quintessential Hollywood fight song that, for me at least, conjures up images of a scene from an old Western movie: “savage” Indians on horseback approaching a village of settlers…Uh-oh, there must be trouble.

…To read more, please visit: http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/ABC_Univision/native-american-imagery-appropriation-redskins-disrespectful/story?id=20286034

Please follow Fusion @ThisisFusion & follow me @AmyStretten

Have you heard about Fusion, the new ABC/Univision joint-venture?

The newsroom/nightclub.
Yes, we really work here.

What is Fusion, you ask?  Well, let me fill you in!

Fusion is a new, 24-hour (multi-platform) news channel aimed at English-speaking Hispanic and Latino Americans and millennials.  Fusion’s mission is to champion a smart, diverse and inclusive America.

I recently (last week) became the East Coast-based National Affairs Correspondent and am responsible for telling the stories of people, events and issues which are shaping America, today and tomorrow. In fact, my first piece on Native fashion at New York Fashion Week went live on the web last week.

I joined Fusion to do exactly what the job description said: Make sense of the news by producing reported stories, opinion columns, and curated posts which provide insight and context to notions of leadership, justice & equality, culture, modern life, and the American Dream as present in stories about politics, social mobility, race, identity and multiculturalism.

From technology, food, media, pop culture and celebrity to immigration and entrepreneurship, I cover what matters to Latinos and millennials. And, once we launch our TV programming (October 28th), I will provide live, on-air commentaries, sometimes at a moment’s notice.

Until the end of October, you can find out stories at http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/ and via our Twitter feed: @ThisisFusion.

I tweet daily, so if you use Twitter, please follow me @AmyStretten.  I would love to stay connected with you!

If you read this blog post, shout me out!  Or, re-tweet the post!

 

And, as my Mom says, go on and BE a great day!

 

-NativeJournalist (Amy Stretten)

 

@thisisFUSION – logo

A little #NativeAwesome to get your day started

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love and represent for Aboriginal DJ group, A Tribe Called Red.  Here’s a video that might give you a glimpse into why that is.

As an urban Indian with what is best described as a “pan-Indian” identity, these talented artists produce music that bridges the gap between traditional and modern; Native and mainstream.  I connect with their musical movement so deeply, that each piece feels like another song in the soundtrack of my life.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do and it cures any lingering Monday blues.  Have a great week, y’all!

And, remember:  It’s [always] a great day to be Indigenous!

-NativeJournalist

New job with the Seminole Channel!

Hey hey!

Lonnnnnng time no post!  But, I’m back(!) and excited to announce that I have moved down to South Florida to work as the Host and Multimedia Journalist for The Seminole Channel (which is owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida).  It was difficult to say goodbye to New York City, but the rest of Indian Country was calling.  (Not to worry, though…NYC has not seen the last of me!)

For those who are interested or have asked where they can watch The Seminole Channel, it currently airs on Directv and is only viewable by Seminole Tribal members living on one of the six STOF reservations.  But, there are plans to expand our audience and eventually share content with other Indigenous news networks soon.  I will be sure you let you know when and where you can view our content as our reach continues to grow.

We tape the show in front of a green screen because the set is virtual. I hosted this show solo while my co-host was reporting in another state.

Just a little self-promotion 🙂

I moved to South Florida to work for Seminole Media Productions because I care about Indigenous people and telling Indigenous stories, and I am very excited to be a part of an incredible operation with passionate and dedicated media professionals.  I am excited about collaborating in an effort to make SMP an even more successful operation than it already is…The possibilities of what we can and will achieve are endless!

-NativeJournalist

Recap: “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” – U.N. Panel

We held an interesting panel discussion called, “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices,” last week at the United Nations to commemorate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and brought together Indigenous journalists who share news for, by and about their communities from their corner of the world.

In case you missed the interactive panel discussion,  here’s the video:

Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices

Screenshot of of the LIVE webcast of “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” organized by the United Nations Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

The panelists were: Nils Johan Heatta, Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network; J. Kehaulani Kauanui, a professor at Wesleyan University and radio producer; and Angel Tibán Guala, Director of the television of Movimiento Indígena Campesino de Cotopaxi (TV MICC).

Our expert discussants were: Monika Ille – Director of Programming, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada; Keoni Lee – General Manager, ‘Ōiwi TV, Hawai’i; Emil Her Many Horses (Ogala Lakota, United States), National Museum of the American Indian, “Our voices on the Air : Reaching new audiences through indigenous radio”

And, we screened videos from: Komi Television (Russian Federation); TV MICC (Ecuador); Indigenous Information Network (Kenya); DJ Atama Katama (Malaysia)

I was thrilled that there was tons of buzz on Twitter and Facebook about the day and the panel itself, especially given the significance social media has in enabling every day people to share news that is important to them without the costs required for a broadcast TV studio or radio station.

I really thought I’d be nervous moderating the panel (which lasted nearly 4 1/2hours!), but I wasn’t.  I felt really comfortable sitting on stage, leading the conversation and soliciting questions from the audience.

The highlight of the day was getting to meet U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon!  Aside from providing a poignant address, he took a great photo!

Amy Stretten with United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.

Another fun moment was the interview I did before the panel with a Slovenian radio station:

Radio Student FM 98.3 “Staroselci Na Twitterju”

While I have no idea what is being said (aside from my interspersed sound bites), it’s a pretty interesting listen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did you happen to catch the panel discussion?  If so, please let me know what you thought about it in the comments section below!

Let’s keep the conversation surrounding Indigenous media going!  Feel free to tweet me @AmyStretten.

Have a great day!

-NativeJournalist

Happy International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples!

I am thrilled to share some really exciting news with you today!  I was asked a few weeks ago by the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to moderate an interactive panel discussion taking place this afternoon called “Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” in commemoration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The program will take place at the United Nations HQ in New York City and begins at 2:30pm ET and concludes at 6:00pm.  I will begin moderating at around 3:40pm (after the Secretary General gives his opening remarks). 

At around 3:35pm, after brief remarks from Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary General), Wu Hongo (Under Secretary General/DESA) and Grand Chief Ed John (Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues), I will lead the interactive panel discussion.

If I said I’m not nervous, I would be lying!  The program will be broadcasted LIVE on UNTV and on the web.  (I heard UN Radio might broadcast it, too, but I am not positive on this.)  My mantra for today is: “I can do this…I can do this!”  (Because, you know what, I can!…and will.  I have no choice at this point. lol)

If you would like to watch the dialogue LIVE, you can watch it here: http://webtv.un.org/ or in the viewer below:

[brightcove vid=1571671822001&exp3=1613589742001&surl=http://c.brightcove.com/services&pubid=1362235914001&pk=AQ~~,AAABPSuWdxE~,UHaNXUUB06UyR-VN7Xc3JTqRSSQh-p7W&w=300&h=225]

If you have any comments or would like to ask a question, please tweet using #UNIndigenousDay.  If there is time, we will address your comment/question during our Q&A at the end.

Below is a program for the day:

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 9 August 2012*

2:30pm – 6:00pm, ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ

“Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices” Programme of Activities

(2:30pm) Screening of “Voices through time” by Chirapaq (Peru)

********* (3:00pm) Traditional welcome by the Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade

of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Roberto Múcaro Borrero (Taíno, Puerto Rico) Message of the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

Remarks of the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Wu Hongbo

Remarks of the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Grand Chief Edward John (Tl’azt’en, Canada)

*********

(3:30pm) INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE

Panelists:

Kenneth Deer (Mohawk, Canada), The Eastern Door

Lily Valtchanova, Cultural Affairs Officer, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Nils Johan Heatta (Sápmi, Norway), Chairman, World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network

Professor J. Kehaulani Kauanui (Kanaka Maoli, Hawaii), Center for the Americas, Wesleyan University

Angel Tibán Guala (Kichwa, Ecuador), Director, TV MICC

Discussants: Monika Ille – Director of Programming, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Canada

Keoni Lee – General Manager, ‘Ōiwi TV, Hawai’I Emil Her Many Horses (Ogala Lakota, United States), National Museum of the American Indian,

« Our voices on the Air : Reaching new audiences through indigenous radio »

Short clips and videos will be screened between the presentations:

Komi Television, Russian Federation TV MICC, Ecuador Mr. Atama Katama, Malaysia

A question and answer session will follow.

Closing remarks by Roberto Múcaro Borrero (Taíno, Puerto Rico), Chairperson of the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Moderated by Amy Stretten (Chickahominy, United States), Founder/Editor, NativeRemix.com

Organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues DSPD/DESA, the United Nations Department of Public Information and the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

(Programme subject to change)

On Twitter, use #UNIndigenousDay for regular updates and for sending your questions to panel members

*The International Day of the World’ s Indigenous Peoples is officially commemorated on 9 August annually in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982.

 

Also, I had an interview with a radio program in Slovenia this morning and earlier this week did an interview with the UN Press office.  I am really excited to know that Indigenous issues and the topic of Indigenous voices in media will be buzzing around today!
Feel free to tweet me @AmyStretten with any thoughts you have during/after the discussion!

Thank you all so very much for your support!

Amy Stretten – NativeJournalist

“Sopranos Azteca” – Hot New Video from A Tribe Called Red x Javier Estrada

Still from “Sopranos Azteca” by A Tribe Called Red x Javier Estrada

Just when you thought A Tribe Called Red couldn’t get any better, they come out with a fierce new music video with incredible Monterrey-based DJ Javier Estrada!

Not only did this collaboration produce “Sopranos Azteca” – a visual/musical feast for the eyes and ears, but they are promising that this is just the first video of a three-part series!  (I think I’ve died and gone to heaven!)

As Isabela Raygoza of Remezcla.com explains, this piece (like the majority of the group’s music videos) leverages more than just classic Hollywood fodder about Native people and intoxicating, hard-hitting, “pow wow stepping” beats:

“…it goes further into history highlighting today’s most common misconceptions about colonization. Dubbing the popular TV series The Sopranos, the characters discuss the meanings behind Columbus Day and the indigenous populations, bringing both sides of the debate to light: whether Columbus was a slave trader who inspired the genocide of indigenous people or a grand conquistador and hero to America. “

What I love most about ATCR (and other young, Indigenous artists I’ve come across in recent years) is their desire to both celebrate and honor Native traditions (be they music, visual imagery, stories, etc.) and push the conversation forward – carefully carving out a unique, creative presence into the foreseeable future.  We are just as relevant as ever thanks to musical pioneers like A Tribe Called Red.

***

If you’re in the Tri-State Area and are dying to experience an Electric Pow Wow, you should definitely be at SOB’s in New York City next Saturday (May 31st)!  A Tribe Called Red will be holding it down, representing Ottawa and Canadian Aboriginals (whether they know it or not!), so be sure to find a way to get there!

But, if you can’t make it to NYC, ATCR will be Pow Wow’ing in these other fine cities this summer:

May 26 Montreal – Eastern Bloc

June 01 Boston –  Good Life

June 19 Winnipeg – Winnipeg Jazz Festival

June 20 Regina – TBD

June 21 Edmonton – The Works Festival

June 22 Ottawa – Special Event

June 23 Peterborough – Ode’min Giizis Festival

July 08 Ottawa – RBC Ottawa Bluesfest

Aug 03 Montreal – Presence Autochtone

***

If you love Indigenous arts + culture stories like this one and are interested in news featuring rising creative Native minds from the US, Canada, and beyond, please consider signing up for updates on the launch of my newest project NativeRemix.com!  You will be notified via e-mail as soon as the site goes live!

We are still looking for more bloggers, videographers, and photographers, as well as artists to feature!  If you, or someone you know, would like their work published or promoted on NativeRemix, please e-mail editor@nativeremix.com.

Please follow us on twitter @TheNativeRemix and “like” us on facebook/NativeRemix!  (We also welcome any advertisers who would like to reach our audience.)

I hope to see you next week!

-NativeJournalist