By Rob Schmidt

Then I spotted a sign for the First Americans in the Arts celebration across the lobby. I’d arrived at the Beverly Hilton on a mid-April Saturday to see the First Americans in the Arts (FAITA) awards ceremony.  It was the 15^th annual show and the 12^th in a row I’d attended. 

I’d skipped the dinner so I could concentrate on the proceedings.  I nabbed a spot near the stage to take pictures. 

The show began with Wes Studi as master of ceremonies.  He was his usual flamboyant self, mugging and posing for the cameras. 

“To be or not to be,” he intoned portentously.  “Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous portrayals”—  of Natives in the media—or “to work towards ending those unbelievable representations of us … that  is the question.”  Fifteen years ago, he added, “The founders’ decision was … to be.”  That is, to create an organization to honor the best Native work in movies, television, theater, music, and other arts. 

Joe Garcia, president of the National Congress of American Indians, gave a rousing speech on the country’s need for Indians.  Addressing all Americans, he said, “We’ve forgotten who we are.  We forget about our brothers and sisters.  I think that spirit has to come back.  And who’s going to bring that spirit?  It’s the Indian people of this country.  We’re going to restore that.” 

Giving the evening a political edge, he talked about placing a statue of Popé in the nation’s capitol.  Popé led the Pueblo Revolt in 1680, and without him, said Garcia, he wouldn’t be able to practice his language or religion. The day the statue was installed, a bald eagle flew overhead and circled four times. 

Garcia concluded by saying someone should make a movie of Popé and the audience should support the effort. 

He apparently has a side career as a musician, because he returned after his speech to sing “Who Am I?” while playing the guitar. 

For those who don’t know him, Garcia is one of the most powerful Indian leaders in the country.  It was a coup, so to speak, to get him to speak. 

Throughout the event, the audience saw clips from previous ceremonies.  Among the highlights were a testimonial from Wayne Newton and Juddson Linn riding onto the stage on horseback. 

The clips showed the very first ceremony, which was held in a restaurant.  The stars at that inaugural event included Studi, Tantoo Cardinal, John Trudell, Russell Means, and Floyd Red Crow Westerman. 

“We were all young,” joked Studi, “except for Floyd, of course.”

Mel Gibson and Rudy Youngblood 

The first big moment occurred when Mel Gibson presented an award to Morris Birdyellowhead for his supporting role in Apocalypto.  As Gibson walked to the stage, he went right past me.  He was literally a foot away. 

For a split second I thought of tripping him to advance the cause of race relations. But I didn’t. 

After the presentation, I went to the photographers’  area to see if  Gibson would appear with Birdyellowhead.  Thus I missed what came next.  Gibson and Chairman Wallace Coffey of the Comanche Nation presented an award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor to Rudy Youngblood. 

Coffey was there because of the negative press about Youngblood’s not being an Indian. Coffey acknowledged Youngblood’s Comanche heritage to end the rumors. 

I also missed Gibson’s receiving a Trustee Award for his Icon Productions and its employment of so many Native actors.  He gave a speech while I waited in the next room, hoping he’d come out.  Bad move on my part. 

Later I talked to a FAITA trustee who had sat with Gibson.  “He is a great guy and works very hard at what he is doing,” she said.  “He's funny too!”  She hopes to get him to be a presenter next year. 

Returning to my position near the stage, I saw Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, arrive in a tux and top hat.  He presented an award for Outstanding Performance in a Film to Adam Beach.  He extolled Beach as one of the next generation of Native leaders.  (Alas, Adam couldn’t make it to accept his award.) 

A woman read a message from Arnold Schwarzenegger.  In part it said, “Our nation’s entertainment industry has long benefited from the innovative contributions of our diverse population.  Your organization works tirelessly to celebrate and promote the valuable roles Native American Indians have played in the film, television, theater, and music industries.  Thanks to your efforts, many young artists have received support to help them succeed in their careers.” 

It was a nice touch considering Schwarzenegger’s rocky relations with California’s tribes in the past. 

Native Voices, the theater program at the Autry National Center, got a big shout-out.  Its set of winners included Arigon Starr for The Red Road,  her one-woman show; Thirza Defoe for her performance as Sacagawea in Stone Heart;  and Rhianna Yazzie for her playwriting. 

Lately Native Voices actors and writers have been winning FAITA awards almost every year.  The program is a hotbed of emerging Native talent. 

Floyd Westerman and Dennis Banks 

The highlight of the show was Floyd Westerman’s award for Lifetime Achievement in Music.  As a beloved father figure to everyone in the room, he received a standing ovation. 

Westerman topped that by calling Dennis Banks to the stage and giving the award to him.  Westerman noted that they were at Wounded Knee II, a seminal moment in raising Native consciousness.  Without Banks and AIM, he said, Indians wouldn’t have sovereignty or casinos or Indian programs in schools. 

Westerman performed two numbers with Charlie Hill accompanying him on harmonica.  Grammy and FAITA winner Mary Youngblood showcased her flute playing with a traditional tune. 

Charlie Hill also did a brief comedy routine.  He had the audience roaring with such bits as “Take a towel”—an exhortation to take back the country item by item. Impersonations of John Wayne and Walter Brennan as lovesick cowboys in Brokeback Mountain…Gener-okee, the miracle drug for Indian wannabes…The three stages of Indian acting roles:  warrior, elder, and spirit…How he’s used the Shakespeare he learned: “Me run through jungle.” 

Other diversions were provided by a troupe of fancy dancers and a female hoop dancer.  “Oh, my,” said Studi after the young woman’s performance, “to be a hoop.” 

Max Gail, formerly Wojeciehowicz on Barney Miller, kept things on track as the announcer.  I met him before the show and shook his hand.  He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. 

On the way out I introduced myself to actor Gil Birmingham, who starred in the play The Berlin Blues  and has appeared in many movies and TV shows.  I mentioned his role as a casino owner on Veronica Mars.  He said the show has been renewed for a fourth season but his character hasn’t become a recurring one as he hoped.  I asked if the producers sought his input on the character and he said no. 

With superstars such as Mel Gibson, Dennis Banks, and Joe Garcia along with perennial stars such as Wes Studi, Floyd Westerman, and Charlie Hill, the show was a success.  Here’s hoping for an equally good show next year. 

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FAITA PHOTO GALLERY 

For a complete list of the winners, please visit:  FAITA Awards: Youngblood, Beach and Schweig Among the Honorees  

Rob Schmidt is the editor and publisher of Blue Corn Comics. Please visit his website at: www.bluecorncomics.com and read his blog on Native pop culture,   NEWSPAPER ROCK