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.
So, I spent the weekend in Oklahoma. I used to live there so, you'd think I'd be used to it. However, I'm always shocked by Oklahoma's love/hate relationship with it's Indigenous population. They advertise it as "Native America". However, when it comes to respecting actual Native Americans, well, that's a different story. In Oklahoma, nowhere is safe from "Awful".
As soon as we crossed into South Coffeyville we were greeted with these:
at The Woodshed in South Coffeyville, where they also carry Lee Bogle greeting cards! (yes, that is my pudgy little hand with the tape keeping my ring on, I'm classy like that)
Seriously, do people really buy their "Objets d'art" at the Gas station?
Gardner's Used Books, why?
*Sniff* I LOVE that place, too.
Even the Goodwill...
Teepees, cactus, cowboys, canoes and buffalo, really, this shirt has it all! (yes, I shop at thrift stores, even on vacation)
And Walmart.
Okay, I have a friend that owns a similar shirt in purple and insists on wearing it around me in public. He likes wolves, alright? He wears the tie-dye shirt I made for him, too.
Meanwhile in the fabric department...
$2.50 a yard! What a bargain!
I want this fabric! What the hell would I do with it, though?
(Please leave "awful" ideas in the comment section, I might make it a reality!)
Let's not forget the Home decor section at Drysdales:
I had a "real" photo of these painted ponies and feel like I should have really cool story about how I lost it. However, I am terrified for clowns and have a certain healthy unease about horses, too. For me, horses are like those ladies at the country club. I can admire their grace and beauty, but I have no desire to mount one.
Talk about your Random Appropriations!
Okay, this isn't Oklahoma, this is Chanute, KS. It just struck me as strange.
And now for some Official Oklahoma Souvenirs!
In case you need to forget about Miley Cyrus for a while...
From the seller's listing: "Retro Risque'Oklahoma Jiggers Drink Glass Indian Sooner Today i have this Fantastic Retro and Risque' Oklahoma Jigger Drink Glass for Sale. This is a Great Bar Novelty Glass that has on the Front a Red Indian wearing a Feather in His Head Band and saying Hic, Hic. Apparently he is Drunk and Probably a big Chief at that. On the back of the glass it tells you What Type of Indian you are by how much You Drink. 2 oz. makes you a Papooses, 4 oz. a Young Squaw., 6 oz a Young Buck. 8 Oz. a Warrior and 10 oz makes You a Big Chief Only. What a great retro addition to your fine Bar Collectibles. Please do not think i am bias or pushing you to drink by me selling this item. I just think its a Funny Piece of History"
Oh, I get it now, it was offensive, but now it's retro, risque and funny. Puke.
A quote from my husband (and Awful proofreader), "It fits."
Blog goddess note: Don't think I hate Oklahoma and all that. They got Braums, Whataburger and Rib Crib. Plus, stuff keeps getting built within walking distance of my Mother-in-law's so I don't get lost while trying to escape for a while! Then, there's Pow-wow season. Oh, and wild onions...
Felis domesticus, aka the house cat, is not indigenous to the United States, so you'll never find images like the one above in cave drawings. It is said traders and explorers first brought cats over on their ships. Even so, the "crazy white lady's pet" has found a place in Native America. Natives love their cats. Rez Cats are just as prevalent and tough as Rez Dogs. Where there are Native who love cats, or, more likely, white people who love Natives and cats, there is a market for Native American "inspired" cat schlock.
You have this t-shirt:
Admit it, in fact your wore to bed last night! Heck, since you rolled out of bed at the crack of noon, you're wearing it now! So, I don't have tell you what back of the shirt looks like now, do I?
Basement Kitty hates you:
I know this look, this the look you get just before your face is clawed off.
There will come a time when the earth is sick and the animals and plants begin to die. Then the Indians will regain their spirit and gather people of all nations, colors and beliefs to join together in the fight to save the Earth:
The Rainbow Warriors.
- Ancient Native American prophecy -"
Yeah, right. I think the real explanation of this piece is: Mushrooms!
Blog Goddess Note: This was one where I can't even show you the most "Awful" things I found on the interwebs. Why anyone would want to dress up as hyper-sexualized version of a 13-year-old girl is beyond me. Make me want to bury my nose in one of those "Red roots of White feminism" books and have a friend smudge me. BTW- if anyone want to read some interesting info about the real Pocahontas check out the article" Pocahontas, Half-Raced and Fully Sexed: The Almost Empty Signifier and American Iconography"
I don't get it, why do people do this? "Oh, I'm so inspired by Pocahontas, I'm going to put a leather dress and have somebody take my picture." It sounds ridiculous, right?
It goes down hill from here, lots of leather thongs and feathers, especially on posts surrounding thanksgiving. (Because nothing makes you want to give thanks like porn)
And going back to more whoop-ass (because after seeing everything out there, I may want to carry an axe around, too).
Simon Bisley Famous Women #9 Original Art - Pocahontas
Blog Goddess's note: I had to remove a picture per request, hopefully, they now realize how offensive and boring their photo concept was.
