Many of those who were outraged see the similarities of the misappropriation of Native American imagery in sports and in other settings. Many across the country, not just Native Americans, were outraged at both incidents of teachers’ actions. The incident brought outrage from local Wisconsin Native Americans who addressed the issue before the Wausau School District’s Board of Education. Last month, as reported by Native News Online, a teacher in Wisconsin dressed up as a Native American for a lesson in her history class was also filmed by a Native American student.
Since it appeared in a high school yearbook, one can only ascertain the Riverside United School District was aware of her actions and even condoned the inappropriate behavior. A photograph of the same teacher dressed up to play Indian emerged in a school yearbook from 2010. Some news outlets reported that the teacher, who Native News Online chooses not to name, has done this for years. I am not sure because she looks as if she was pretty proud of her depiction, complete with a fake headdress made from construction paper, doing her routine. Some in the media said the teaching was mocking Native Americans. Since then, the video exploded in the national press. Before even watching the video, I thought to myself, “here we go again with someone who wants to play Indian.” After viewing the video of the teacher conducting herself in such ridiculous fashion, I remarked to friends “I hope she didn’t rehearse her routine” because it was an awful portrayal of real Native Americans.
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