Ep 15: The American Indian Movement (AIM) Visits the Tipi

Nick and Gabriele talk about how split the Native American reaction was on them having erected a tipi as a memorial to the Wounded Knee Massacre. There were those who told them they had no right, and others who claimed they wanted to adopt them into their tribe.  

Before erecting the tipi, Gabriele and Nick, together with Ace who said he was part Cherokee (people on The Hill sometimes referred to him as “high yellow”), talked to artist John Cutnose at the American Indian Community House. N & G discover the fascinating history between the Cherokee tribe and African Americans. 

About two months after the tipi was up, two members from AIM visited them. This was a highly meaningful visit for Nick and Gabriele. They relate their affinity and admiration for AIM by outlining significant events in the movement’s history: the occupation of Alcatraz Island, the Wounded Knee Occupation, the Marlon Brando/Sacheen Littlefeather Oscar scandal. 

Sacheen Littlefeather was born Marie Louise Cruz. After her death, her estranged sisters claimed that she had not Native American blood but was of Mexican heritage. In the 60s and 70s there was a rise in “pretendians” – pretend Indians – in part because of the AIM media coverage. 

A history of AIM: https://youtu.be/fY5Wbduzl2Y 

#conceptualart #guerrillaart #homelessencampment #homeless #nychistory #1990s #activism #manifestdestiny #NativeActivism #CherokeeCulture #cherokeehistory #AIMhistory #WoundedKneeOccupation #WoundedKneeMemorial #RememberWoundedKnee #MarlonBrando #AcademyAwards #TheOscars #SacheenLittlefeather 

 

For extensive documentation and to purchase the book, "The Hill": thievestheatre.org  

Contact Nick and Gabriele: podcast@thievestheatre.org  

@tipionthehill  

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