Chief Migizi describing the choices left to his people after their homelands had been overtaken:
First, Walk into the lakes and die;
Second, March aimlessly into the wilderness never to return;
And Third, Fight for the amelioration of these wrongs”
Chief Migizi 1901 Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Richard Lytle, our Native American friend, put us in touch with Michael Fairbanks, Director of A.I.M. American Indian Movement of Santa Barbara with the following shocking report.

Letter from Michael Fairbanks, Director of A.I.M. American Indian Movement of Santa Barbara to:

AJ Sarcione and the MTV staff

June 15, 2010

We are writing you to alert you of a deep offense that recently occurred.  In May 2010, on the MTV reality show, The Dudesons In America, aired a new episode called “Cowboys and Findians.”

The intent of this show might not have been to offend anyone, but this episode goes beyond offensive and the choice in script has added salt on deep wounds of racism in the Native American community.

This episode of the The Dudesons In America, not only encourages people to have misconceptions about First Nation people, but also perpetuates very offensive stereotypes regarding Native American spirituality, ceremonies, culture and customs. After the episode aired, letters of protest were sent to MTV and producers of The Dudeson’s in America, informing them of the outrage and offense this episode has caused. A demand was made to MTV that the episode be permanently removed from the public view, whether on television, the Internet, or in any other format.

A demand for a formal and public apology to Native Americans was also made. MTV and The Dudesons in America were given a deadline of June 1, 2010 to meet these demands, and were informed that if the demands were not met, a boycott of MTV and its advertisers would begin. MTV executives did not wait for the June 1, 2010 deadline to respond. Their written reply was brief, and to the point. In short, Mr. Sarcione was clear that MTV does not care.

Reply from From: Sarcione, AJ
Subject: RE: MTV & the Dudeson
Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010, 1:51 AM

Michael,
We appreciate your recent feedback regarding “The Dudesons In America.”  It is never MTV’s intention to offend anyone. The series is about creating lighthearted humor, that at times, could integrate various themes as part of the overall stunt or prank. We take viewer feedback very seriously and thank you for reaching out.
Sincerely,
AJ Sarcione
Senior Publicist, MTV

Michael Fairbanks, Director of A.I.M. American Indian Movement of Santa Barbara:

On Sunday June 6th, 2010 we organized a demonstration against MTV/The Dudesons at the MTV Music Awards.  We had 30 people attend and some pictures are included in this packet.  Along with statements from other organizations, AIM Chapters, Native Actors and emails sent in from support across the nation.

Had this show been directed towards any other ethnic group, it would not have aired, and there would have been a huge backlash. Recall Don Imus in April 4, 2007, with his insensitive remark “That’s some nappy-headed hos,” the backlash regarding this remark was effective and quick.  Yet it appears we are an “open market” for these kind attacks, apparently because we are a smaller population and there is a history this kind of misrepresentation with the media and entertainment industry.

Simply stated: the episode is so offensive and objectionable to Native Americans, that it should never be viewed again.  We will no longer accept or tolerate the perpetuation of stereotypes, or the desecration of our regalia (the offensive fake headdresses), and sacred medicines (such as the fake eagle feathers on that episode).

The images of the Dudesons in headdresses, with totem poles and crashing canoes, should also be removed from the series promotional materials. Native Americans have historically been portrayed in the media, in all its forms, in a negative and false light — and the episode of The Dudesons in America is a particularly offensive example of the kind of stereotyping that Native Americans have been fighting against for years.

It is long overdue for that practice to stop.

The American Indian Movement hereby notifies you, that unless and until MTV agrees to permanently remove from the airwaves, the internet, and in all other forms of media, the offensive and heinous episode of The Dudesons in America entitled “Cowboys & Findians,” we will be instituting an immediate and indefinite boycott of your companies and products.

It is now up to you.  We urge you to persuade MTV and The Dudesons in America to permanently remove this hateful, racist, and stereotype-perpetuating episode from television, the internet, any future video and/or DVD compilations, or in any other form of media. We also ask that you persuade MTV to issue the previously-demanded formal and public apology that is rightfully owed to the Native American people.

Unless and until these demands have been met, the boycott will continue and we will become more assertive in our approach.

Respectfully,

Michael Fairbanks, Director
A.I.M. American Indian Movement of Santa Barbara

Native Actor Marcos Akiaten statement against MTVs The Dudesons
May 30, 2010

I’m Marcos Akiaten, an Indian first, and an actor second (you can verify my screen credits on IMDB). I’m a baby boomer, brought up in the 1950’s, an era where I was taught that Columbus discovered America, the island of Manhattan was sold for trinkets, and Custer had a “Last Stand”.  Even now, there are millions upon millions of baby boomers who still believe that hogwash. And I see from your program, The Dudesons, things have not changed. Here it is, the 21st century, the year 2010, and your program continues to reinforce those misconceptions.  I have spent my life, dispelling lies written about my people, one person at a time.  There is an old saying of yours, “. . . . a picture tells a thousand words . . . .” In your case, it was not just a picture, but a TV program, depicting my people as backward savages. And in one swoop, you destroyed all that we’ve worked for. What do you think the “blacks” would’ve done, had you depicted them eating watermelon, picking cotton, inviting the notion that they loved being slaves, and calling everyone “massa”?  But it’s okay to degrade Indians. You must have considered us a silent minority, to have put us in the light that you did. Well my friend, we may be a minority, but we are not all silent. As actors many times, we don’t get to see the whole picture, but only a clip of what’s happening. You took advantage of an elder and a friend of mine, Saginaw Grant, to co-sign what you did. You should be ashamed of that.  I can understand using comedy to get a laugh, but the way you portrayed us, was and is, pornographic. Like my brother Rod Rondeaux, I have refused to do certain things on set that are historically inaccurate, or degrading to my people.  To ask for an apology is probably beyond your capacity of compassion and empathy. Like your program, I have a site on Facebook, and a huge site on MySpace. I will utilize them, to start a boycott of of the sponsors of The Dudesons, and of MTV, stating that you are promoting racism.
Enough is enough. Have a great day and may the “force” be with you!
Marcos Akiaten

Award Winning Stuntman, Bullrider, & Actor Rod Rondeaux
Friday, May 21, 2010 at 2:52pm
Rod Rondeaux Statement: My name is Rod Rondeaux and I am ENROLLED CROW Tribal MEMBER. I was raised in a traditional Indian family and speak my language and several others. I have been in SAG (Screen Actors Guild) for 14 years and am a horse stuntman and actor. I have worked on over 30 productions and worked hard to have a respectable name and reputation in what I do. It isn’t easy for Native people to break into the film business and I don’t understand why someone who has would throw it away with a disgraceful piece of crap for MTV- which targets the youth and will in turn cause harm to our children in and out of school. For over a decade I have fought “Paint downs” ( when non Indians are used as Indian stuntmen/women), in the entertainment business and to see what I saw with this MTV production seems to have set us back and is very disturbing. It seems to me that Saginaw is nothing more than a mascot in this show, in the eyes of MTV it may be ok to make fun our culture and heritage, and considering the amount of work I have done to assure any film/TV productions I was involved with were done in a good way with respect to the tribes represented, I find this production to be a disgrace to who we are and what we have fought for through out the generations, on and off set. While many Natives in the industry may not want to cause waves because of future projects that would line their pockets, I am standing up and asking for them to come forward and speak their voice according to their heart. For years we have done movies and worked so very hard to make sure they were done in a good way with honor and respect to the tribe it represented. Seems all of our fighting was just washed under the bridge here. The documentary “Reel Injuns” (a Native made film) states clearly what has been done to us over the decades in the Hollywood film industry. I am proud to be a part of that film which tells the truth. I urge you all to see it ESPECIALLY the STAFF at MTV! If I had been asked to do something of this nature I would have been embarrassed to do it not to mention the cultural disgrace it would cause my heart. I don’t see the humor in this MTV production. While Indian people are known for our humor, this isn’t funny this is a slap in our faces. It is sad that our children who have seen us gain so much ground will see this and wonder where they stand. I would like to know what the members of Saginaw’s tribe think of this, their voices should be heard, for or against this project.
I have known and worked with Saginaw for many years and have had great respect for him. I wonder in amazement why he would do this, even in editing, it is obvious via the “feathers” etc this was to cause harm and make fun of our people. This is my opinion these are my words. Everything I have written here is my honest truth and I stand firmly with my statement I am willing to stand up for what I believe in.. are you?
Sincerely,
Rod Rondeaux Crow/Cheyenne
The Indian Stunt Ranch
Crow Tribal member from Montana- Crow Nation SAG AIM SB. USTRA American Indian People for Wild Horses

Award Winning Native Actor Jay Tavare steps up against MTV & the Dudesons
June 7, 2010
My name is Jay Tavare and I have been working in Hollywood as an actor and writer for almost two decades. In my time I have learned the media has a very powerful influence on how any one race of people are represented. After all it was not long ago that all American Indians in movies were nothing but bronze savages riding around getting shot by the white heroes of the movie. I have made a career by playing against those very stereotypes that Hollywood worked so hard to put into place. We are now in the later half of 2010, and when I see the MTV show Cowboys and Findians, it seems there are still folks who have no respect for the content of their programming!!!! There must be a way to be entertaining and have humor, without making a mockery of an entire race of people and their culture. The American Indian Nations have had a rough ride so far, to put it mildly, and I think its time to give them the deserved respect. I personally think MTV should green light shows that have better, more intelligent humor. After all MTV was the station that changed so much of our culture and how we view our music, that kind of renovation is totally lost when shows such as Cowboys and Findians are aired. This is not funny at all and much more damaging than a simple laugh at a cost of humiliating a race!!!!

Time for change… time for respect… time for better shows. With a sad heart Jay Tavare.

We also have a petition with 700 signatures! Please join us and sign the petition right now.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/boycottmtv

For more links on this please see:

• http://drawingonindians.blogspot.com/2010/05/dudesons-hit-all-time-low.html
• http://la.indymedia.org/news/2010/05/239759.php
• http://newspaperrock.bluecorncomics.com/2010/05/cowboys-findians-in-dudesons.html
• http://newspaperrock.bluecorncomics.com/2010/05/mtv-vs-aim-on-dudesons.html
• http://jennifer1119.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/the-dudesons-in-america-racism-and-stereotyping-at-its-finest-and-lowest/
• http://jennifer1119.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/has-anything-really-changed/