So, sent him to school with information about the only Native language I knew.
And his teacher thanked me.
The following year, as part a lesson about teaching the history of the state, he came home with coloring pages praising Custer for his, "Valuable service."
And so, I yelled at the State Historical society who printed it and the teacher who handed it out.
His teacher didn't realize it was offensive.
The Historical Society apologized profusely
and said they'd send out new lesson materials.
A small victory.
But then,
I had to try to explain Custer to my seven-year-old.
Since then,
I've had to explain to my child why he can't yell,
Think about Native American Action figures. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Spirit Iron-Knife, of course! If you were a child of the '80s, like me, G.I. JOE was a big part of your childhood along with He-Man, Transformers and, oh yeah, Star Wars. G.I. JOE had a Native guy, though. Okay, so he was a walking stereo-type with bird. What is up with the bird, anyway? I've never met a Native American falconer, have you?
1984 Spirit the Tracker
Spirit's file card from 1984
Spirit's pet Eagle "Freedom" came with both 1984 & 1989 figures
There's that word again, Mystic, ugh. Why can't he just be a guy who really likes mashed potatoes?
Wait, did you catch that? "He's not a healer or a priest or a witch doctor. There is isn't any equivalent in our culture for what he is unless we had shrinks that could actually help people."Well, somebody must have forgotten their Valium that day.
Spirit from 1989
Spirit's 1989 file card
So, this Spirit's special ability is that he's never late for dinner? Seriously?
Spirit 1992 (birdless)
Spirit 1992 file card
Anyone else think this sculpt looks a little...er...pale? Why do his "sew-in knee protectors" make me giggle? Ooo, "Authentic Navajo warrior boots", too, if Navajos were pirates.
Spirit 1993 (birdless)
Spirit 1993 filecard
This Spirit was a mail-away, ah, remember those? He's still kind of pale and would you look at those eyebrows! I wonder if he can use them defensively?
2004 12" Spirit Iron Knife
Spirit 2004 12" filecard
Admittedly, this is my favorite sculpt. Plus, I have weakness for 12" figures since I can make clothes for them or swap outfit from other one. Not that I do that. Okay, so maybe this really is just a boy Barbie. Don't judge me!
Spirit Iron-Knife 2005
2005 Filecard
Wow, this one looks normal except the bear-claw necklace, oh, and that damned bird! His special ability this time is whistle carving.
Spirit Iron-Knife's pet eagle, "Freedom" in 2005
Sigma Six 2005 Spirit Iron-Knife
So, this one, while sporting a dynamic sculpt, not only has an eagle, but a bow and tomahawks! Lookie, he's even got face paint and tattoos because he's exotic and mystic like that.
Sigma six 2005 Freedom
Spirit Iron-Knife 2006 (birdless)
2006 Filecard
Same mold as the 2005 version, same file-card text, too. However, the illustrations was new, too bad he looks like an Eastern European weight-lifting super-villain with a tan. At least, he didn't come with a bird.
Spirit Iron Knife 2008
Spirit Iron Knife's 2008 file card
Doesn't he look a bit like a confused old guy? This is a back-to-basics sculpt and the file card reflects that, too, except for the omitted opinions on modern psychology.
"Freedom" in 2008
Nope, still looks confused.
Spirit Iron-Knife 2010 (birdless)
Honestly, this Spirit, a Toys R Us exclusive, seems pretty benign until we gear him up.
Great, another tomahawk, and they almost got it right, too. What's up with the snakes?
Just because they're plastic stereo-types, doesn't mean we can't have fun with them. Spirit 2008 and 2005 make an appearances in Ian Skorodin's Crazy Ind'n The Sequel alongside the The Corp's Tracker Tom as leading man. Enjoy!
Blog goddesses note: For this post I do have to give credit to http://www.yojoe.com/and the collectors who submit their photos. Yes, I do own action figures, more than I would like to admit to, perhaps. Then, I married a Star Wars collector and my fate was sealed.
