Native American Indian PopularCulture

Demographics
Pop Culture

Native American/First Nation/American Indian popular culture

Native American/American Indian popular culture has its own unique nuances and subculture aspects that are only recently beginning to gain a larger voice through mainstream media channels, notably through the efforts of both of Native American and other peoples. While larger studio releases of films depicting improved historical accounts have helped change perceptions, the increased popularity of Independent Films are beginning to provide a voice and venue for contemporary life.

As Native American actors are beginning to find television and film roles that more realistically portray individuals as multi-dimensional persons, so are Native American authors and filmmakers beginning to redefine and counterbalance obsolete images and help create a greater awareness.

Music, written and spoken works, dancing and other traditions are kept alive and ever-changing as contemporary lifestyles integrate with traditional ones. Music, Effectively reaching the Native American market requires a complex understanding of marketing segmentation and lifestyle aspects, as well as geographic subtleties.

Interested in reading more about contemporary American Indian popular culture? We suggest...

Native American Writing
Books by Sherman Alexie
The Toughest Indian in the World
Ten Little Indians
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
Reservation Blues
The First Indian on the Moon

Genocide of the Mind, New Native American Writing edited by Marijo Moore

Films
Skins by Chris Eyre
The Business of Fancydancing by Sherman Alexie
Smoke Signals by Chris Eyre
Dance Me Outside by Bruce McDonald
Return of Navajo Boy by Jeff Spitz

Contemporary History
Indian Metropolis by James D. LaGrand

Urban Programs and Services
Contact urban Indian centers. One well known one in Chicago is the American Indian Center, which provides links to other program sites.