Are there Indian superstars?

EDITORIAL

Page 6

Cyndy Lauper, Madonna, Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Alabama, Ricky Skaggs and hundreds more, all of them superstars. There are television shows, magazines and radio shows devoted to watching and reporting everything these larger than life people do. The public go out of their way to buy their favorite superstar's paraphernalia, imitation Michael Jackson gloves, Blues Brothers sunglasses, posters, pins, flags, T-shirts, watches and even Wayne Gretzky Fruit Loops.

We've all heard of Bruce Lee, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Iglesius, Charo, Jackie Chan. What do these stars have in common? They all have some unique ethnic back-ground, of course.

But what I want to know is if there is such a thing as a real Indian superstar. I mean "real," not Cher Bono who says she has a drop of Cherokee blood in her or Wayne Newton, who claims, the same, but a real bonafide, card-carrying (or Treaty status pending) Indian.

Lately, you might have noticed a lot of media attention given to certain members of our Native community. You know, the movie co-starring Tantoo Cardinal called "Loyalties" and some of the guests appearing on Rocky Woodward's Native Nashville North, like the forever versatile Winston Wuttunee.

Recently, I had the opportunity to drop by the taping sessions of Native Nashville North. I saw Winston Wuttunee there. I never once had the urge to hound an autograph from him, nor did anyone else in attendance. But I must admit, I had this urge to approach him and say "Hey, how ya doing, let's shake hands," and maybe sometime down the road, when Winston (notice how I know him on a first name basis, real casual like) turns more famous than Joe Clark, I can brag to others that Winston and I are old friends from way back.

From what I heard, crowds of newly-won fans at the Craven Country Music Jamboree swooped down on Mr. Wuttunee wanting to shake his hand or get his autograph. The Native community are probably Mr. Wuttunee's biggest appreciators, but we're probably the hardest on his ego when it comes to that superstar stuff. We just don't seem to acknowledge our "role models" with the same maniac fervor of the mainstream (non-Natives, eh).

Which brings me to my next question? Is there a place in "Indian country" for superstars?

I know that I don't see school kids doing the "RCMP Jig" in the parking lots of the local. mall hang-outs, or Tantoo Martin lunch buckets on sale. But I did see the seats full at Rocky's (I really do know this guy on a first name basis) Native Nashville North Show. Our people really do support and acknowledge our own "superstars." There really is an official Elvis Grey Fan Club. And I know how much pride we felt when we saw the praise that Tantoo got for her performance in "Loyalties."

Which brings me to my last question. What if we are warmed up to this superstar concept. Does the Native press do enough to satisfy our star-struck needs? Do we see enough pictures, do we hear enough about what's happening with their lives, do we wanna hear about their lives?

Maybe there is an "Indian Hollywood North," but the Native press doesn't realize it. Maybe we wanna know how our superstars like their bannock - fried, baked, flat, round, with raisins or without? Do they shop at the Bay, Eatons, Saans or Goodwill? Do they drive pick-up trucks, Datsuns, Corvettes or do they drive at all?

I sure am confused about this whole ordeal. I would really appreciate if it you guys would send letters to my editor and let me know what you think. I gotta run. I picked up a strand of hair that had fallen from Tantoo Martin's head at a press conference and I'm going to get it made into a key chain.