Native Americans in Comic Books

Video Review of NAICB

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 22:03:00 +0000

Screenshot from Literally Graphic's YouTube review.

Video Review

YouTuber, Literally Graphic recently took the time to post a review of my book, Native Americans in Comic Books.

On the 'About' page of the YouTube channel, Literally Graphic's proclaims,

My goal is to not only to spread the word about the amazing diversity we have in modern comics, but also to learn about and explore them on an artistic/literary level.

Literally Graphic provides a thoughtful and honest review of NAICB and takes time to mention the use of humor in my book as well as acknowledge its limitation of being primarily focused on United States comics. Literally Graphic also provides a few links with more information about my book.

Check out Literally Graphic's other reviews and videos using the YouTube channel link, listed above

NAICB Available in Paperback

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 19:53:00 +0000

Good news, everyone!

A recent letter from my publisher, McFarland, reveals that my book will now be made available in both hardback and paperback editions.

The new soft-cover version is 223 pages in length and is available for $25 + shipping. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to get Native Americans in Comic Books at a more affordable price!

Order your copy from the McFarland website at:
http://www.mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.php?id=978-1-4766-6799-7

My Events & Public Appearances for November 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:48:00 +0000

November 2015 is absolutely hopping with events. No surprise that it's Native American Heritage Month here in the US. Here's a rundown of public events where I'll be this month.

This is a great chance to come out and get your book signed or even purchase a copy. Please contact me directly for any other items (comics, t-shirts, etc.) before the event.

Check back here for updates or keep an eye on the individual websites below. When in doubt, contact the event coordinator or person listed on the individual websites.

Family Reading Night - Before the Avengers: Celebrating Native American Heroes in Comic Books!

Reagan Elementary School
1601 24th Ave SE, Norman, OK 73071 (map)
~~Tuesday~~Thursday, November 1012, 2015 (corrected)
6:30pm

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/442924422570226/

Join us for an awesome and FREE family reading night that involves creating comic books and story time with graphic novelist Michael Sheyahshe, learning about Native American heritage, and getting tips on family reading engagement from our wonderful reading specialists and librarians!

We will provide the supplies for every student to create their own comic book, Mr. Sheyahshe will share story time and his journey with making Native Americans the heroes in comic books, every child will leave with a book, and free snacks and drinks will be provided.

Book End Book Expo

The Book End
1302 E. 6th St., Tulsa, OK 74120 (map)
Saturday, November 14, 2015
5pm

Indigenous Stereotypes: Tips to Avoid Native American Stereotypes in Comics

The Book End Book Expo, or BeBe 2015, is a local and regional literary festival created by founders Kris Rose, Okcate Evita Smith and A.W. Selby, to celebrate Oklahoma’s diverse range of writers and publishers. We aim to create a platform for all forms of literature and show support for those who are sometimes marginalized or overshadowed by more conventional works. The Book End Book Expo will be free and open to the public, will feature books, readings and activities for all age groups, and will last three days, November 12th through 14th. The Book Expo is taking place in multiple venues in the Pearl district: the Phoenix Cafe, The Book End in the Phoenix Cafe, This Land Store and Event Center, The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, and the Nightingale Theater.

Workshop: Creating Comic Books

Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Library
335588 E. 750 Rd., Perkins, OK. 74059 (map)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
1:30pm

More info:
http://bahkhoje.com/government/library/

Come join us for a 2-hour workshop on how to create comic books, looking at all of the major elements needed to create comics, from start to finish. We'll discuss story writing, scripting, basic pencils/artwork, inking, coloring, and digital tools to use. Basic art supplies will be provided.

Hey - I'm on a List !

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:35:00 +0000

From "Strike and Bolt," written by Michael Sheyahshe with
art by George Freeman (Alternate History Comics Inc.).

Due to my contribution to MOONSHOT - a collection of comic books stories from AH Comics with Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis at the helm - I have the good fortune to be included in "7 indigenous comics creators you should know about", an article from CBCBooks, the book section of CBC/Radio-Canada's website.

http://www.cbc.ca/books/2015/10/7-indigenous-comics-artists-you-should-know-about.html

The article outlines a Q&A session with Hope Nicholson - editor for MOONSHOT - as she discusses her insight to the creative forces behind the stories inside the book. It is a complete honor to be listed alongside these individuals, especially for a creative endeavor.

While I won't go into details (no spoilers here!), below is the list of seven. For more information, use the link above to read on.

And now, with no further ado...the LIST:

Jeffrey Veregge (artist) - @JeffreyVeregge
Stephen Gladue (artist) - @StephenGladue
Todd Houseman (writer) - @ToddHouseman
Arigon Starr (writer) - @arigonstarr
David Cutler (artist) - @davidjcutler
Michael Sheyahshe (writer) - @sheyahshe
Elizabeth LaPensée (writer) - @odaminowin

I've included Twitter feeds for these fellow LISTED. So go on...go check them out and encourage each of them to keep up the good work and to keep those comics coming! Finally, for anyone interested in purchasing MOONSHOT, you can use the Promo Code "MTSHEY" to get $1.00 off the book price at the AH Comics online store - http://www.ahcomicsshop.com/

Comic Book Workshops in Tulsa - June 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 17:16:00 +0000

Cool promo poster by TCCL

Hey everyone ! I'm excited to announce that I'll be in Tulsa (again) for TWO special days in June 2015 with several of my "INC" friends ! :)

Stop by and say hi to us; stay for the workshops; and discuss Indigenous characters in comic books. I will have copies of my book, Native Americans in Comic Books, if anyone needs to purchase one and/or have it signed.

Very special thanks to the Tulsa City-County Library, the American Resource Center, Teresa Runnels, and Arigon Starr for working this event out. See you there !

Day 1: All-Day Workshop

Tulsa City-County Library's American Indian Resource Center and Tulsa Library Trust present (from TCCL website),

Create Comics The Native American Way: Meet The Indigenous Narratives Collective

Wednesday 06/24/2015 - 9:00am to 5:00pm. Join Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo) and Arigon Starr (Kickapoo/Creek) for a one-day seminar focused on the history of Native American images in comics and the emergence of Indigenous creators in the comic-book industry. For all ages.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015
9am-5pm | Zarrow Regional Library | Room: South Room

Day 2: Evening Workshop

The Indigenous Narratives Collective Presents "Let's Make Comics!"

Join Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), Roy Boney (Cherokee) and Arigon Starr (Kickapoo/Creek) for a workshop geared toward kids and kids-at-heart. Participants will create a one-page comic. You don’t have to be a great artist to make comics, just have a desire to tell stories with words and picture. Paper and pencils will be provided. For all ages.

Thurday, June 25, 2015

5pm-8pm | Zarrow Regional Library | Room: South Room

Location

Zarrow Regional Library
2224 W. 51st St.
Tulsa, OK 74107

See http://www.tulsalibrary.org/events/week/2015-W26 for more info on this event.

Evaluating Stereotypes

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 04:14:00 +0000

As a brief primer on evaluating Native American stereotypes in comic books, let's run through the criteria I adopted from Raymond Stedman's book, Shadows of the Indian: Stereotypes in American Culture.

You can, of course, find a more detailed examination and discussion of Stedman's list, see my book, Native Americans in Comic Books.

Stedman's book

Is the vocabulary demeaning?
Do the Indians Talk Like Tonto?
Do the Indians Belong to the Feather-Bonnet Tribe?
Are Comic Interludes Built Upon Firewater and Stupidity?
Are the Indians Portrayed as an Extinct Species?
Are the Indians either Noble or Savage?
Is the Tone Patronizing?
Is Indian Humanness Recognized?

Let's expand ever-so-briefly on each of these items, so that we understand them in everyday terms.

Is the vocabulary demeaning?

Easy enough - do the words used in the comic to describe Indigenous people suggest a loss of dignity or respect for those (Indigenous) characters? In other words, are Native people well-spoken or do the words make them 'less' somehow? If the descriptions follow along the lines of, "wagon-burner", "savage", "half-breed", or other numerous slurs, then answer a resounding, 'yes' to this criterion.

Do the Indians Talk Like Tonto?

For many years - especially in those early years of comic book history - Native American characters seldom spoke in comics. When they did, it was usually a war-cry or some other primal sound just before they attacked the main (and usually white, male) character / protagonist. While Indigenous characters were given a voice in later comics, more often than not they spoke [English] in broken sentences, offering more 'grunts' than words, and generally simply butchering the language.

The pen-ultimate example of this is the Tonto character from The Lone Ranger radio and television serials. While seemingly innocent, characters that use such limited means of communication are seen as dull, dim-witted, or even outright stupid. If Indigenous characters use more, "get-um up, horse" than "giddy-up", then answer 'yes' to this one.

Do the Indians Belong to the Feather-Bonnet Tribe?

Not every comic book cowboy character wears chaps and spurs (...though they do wear cowboy hats more often than not...), so why then do all Indigenous characters have to be seen in feathered headdresses and fringed leather to be recognized as "Indians"?

In modern times, there are 500+ federally recognized tribal entities and many more that aren't federally recognized. [Editorial note: no hipsters with headdresses were counted in this discussion.] Of these groups, only a scant handful - usually those commonly referred to as 'plains Indian' tribes - wear the 'feather bonnet', that is so common place in the pages of comics. Unless the Native characters in the comic book are one of these 'plains tribes', then answer 'yes' to this item.

Are Comic Interludes Built Upon Firewater and Stupidity?

Does the character contribute to the story, somehow? Or do they and their actions exist simply to illustrate a generalization about an entire group of human beings? In comics or other media, depicting Native characters consuming and becoming intoxicated by firewater (alcoholic drink) suggests that [potentially] all Indigenous people become mindless and wanton barbarians by being the mere physical presence of such chemicals (alcohol). This is a very narrow view of a quite large group of people that differ from tribe to tribe, community to community.

The same holds true for comics that depend on a Native American character's low intelligence as the keystone of the story. Not all Indigenous people are stupid; yet, comics that depict only this view suggest just that. Any comics that use alcohol or limited intelligence as the central focus of the character can check this criterion a resounding, 'yes'.

Are the Indians Portrayed as an Extinct Species?

This particular stereotype seems inescapable, it seems. As if some unspoken, unwritten rule obliges every comic, film, or other genre to portray Native Americans as relics of the Old West (pre-1870s or so)...or even earlier. Of course, celebrating history and those heroes of the time is important; but do not leave us as a people behind in the pages of history.

We exist. We survived. We continue. A comic that only portrays us in the past does not support this idea of Indigenous continuance fulfills this criterion of 'extent species'.

Are the Indians either Noble or Savage?

Are Indigenous people inexplicably bound to only be either bloodthirsty primitives or regally benevolent aristocracy of the nature? Are there only two choices for us, as a people? Or for any people. for that matter?...must a character be purely bad or purely good? Of course not. Yet, comics and many other genre portray us in this either/or dichotomy, rather than allowing for a nuanced and complex character - a mix of good and bad; of noble and savage. Any comics that provide only these two types of Native characters get a 'yes' on this criterion.

Is the Tone Patronizing?

This particular criterion can be harder to filter for into modern comics filled with snark, inside jokes, and antiheroes. However, as a general rule, you can boil it down to a single question: Does this comic portray Native Americans as inferior to other groups just for being Indigenous? If so, then it's a 'yes' for this one, too.

Is Indian Humanness Recognized?

Finally, we come to the most important checkpoint: does the comic offer an Indigenous character with true humanity? Or is this character just a two-dimensional generalization of a Native American? Among the other criteria, this one holds the most value; if cannot answer 'yes' to this one (meaning, the comic does not show Indian Humanness), then all the other answers/criterion matter very little.

If the Indigenous character is not depicted as a real human being, then the comic is most likely upholding, supporting, and/or propagating stereotypes of its Native American characters.

Of course, like any list, this one is subject to interpretation and not universal. There are always exceptions to any rule.

What Stedman's criteria does, though, is provide us - the audience, readers, and (sometimes) creators of comic books - a starting point by which to begin dissecting and examining any/all comic books with Indigenous people in their pages. Additionally, this list is a 'what not to do', when creating, authoring, or advising others of how we Native American people should be portrayed - in comics any media.

Great power; great responsibility...and all that stuff. So, use it wisely! :)

Sheyahshe Guest on 'NAC' Show

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:18:00 +0000

I'm very pleased to announce that I will be on the Native America Calling show on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 from 1pm - 2pm EST.

Here's some information on the show, taken from the NAC website:

Tuesday, August 12, 2014— Inserting Native Nations into the Comics

Black Crow
image from Wikipedia

Consider Hulk, Magneto, Spider-Man and Superman. What's missing from this lineup? A Native American. Sure there's Starhaven, Black Crow, Danielle Moonstar and Warpath but,
Native characters don't really get the role when it comes to saving the earth from total destruction in mainstream comics and graphic novels. That's one reason why Native graphic artists are starting to pen their own Indigenous characters with familiar Native features and backgrounds. Many Native comic masters believe it's Natives who have to step up to represent in the comic world for different reasons from portraying a positive image to inspiring Native generations. What are the powers of the comics? What's your favorite character? If you were a comic superhero, what powers would you have and for what reason?

About NAC

Native America Calling is a live call-in program linking public radio stations, the Internet and listeners together in a thought-provoking national conversation about issues specific to Native communities. Each program engages noted guests and experts with callers throughout the United States and is designed to improve the quality of life for Native Americans. Native America Calling is heard on 52 stations in the United States and in Canada by approximately 500,000 listeners each week.

Be sure to tune in and call in to the show to discuss Indigenous representation in comics and pop culture. To participate call: 1-800-996-2848, that's 1-800-99-NATIVE.

Sheyahshe and INC at DCC

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:28:00 +0000

SO happy(!) to announce that I will have the pleasure of attending Denver Comic Con, June 13-15, 2014.

I will be there with fellow INC-ers - Lee Francis IV, Arigon Starr, and Kristina Bad Hand - at the INC Booth #833.

Select this link to see a map of the exhibition hall booths: http://denvercomiccon.com/dcc/show-floor-map/.

excerpt from
Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers
comic

Feel free to spread the word in all your networks - here is a link to our flyer for the event: INC-DCCflyer (PDF). The INC group will be on-hand to discuss Indigenous representation in comic books, as well as have copies of our Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers comic, created by comics mastermind and frybread virtuoso, Arigon Starr. Additionally, I will have copies of my book, Native Americans in Comic Books, available for purchase and signing (which makes them worth, like, WAY more...aayy!). ☺

You can also interact with us in the various panels we'll be participation in and/or leading:

Friday, June 13 - 5:45pm - 6:35pm
The INC Comics Revolution: The Rise of Native American Comic Books
Room 103

Saturday, June 14 - 1:00pm - 1:50pm
The Curious Case of the Noble Savage: Working Beyond Stereotypes
Room 103

Saturday, June 14 - 5:45pm - 6:35pm
Down in the Details: Crafting Solid Historical Fiction
Room 103

Sunday, June 15 - 11:45am - 12:35pm
Heroes, Monsters, and Tricksters: Native American Icons and Imagery
Room 103

For more information and tickets to DCC visit: denvercomiccon.com

Sheyahshe, Guest at SoonerCon 23

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 03:45:00 +0000

Exciting news for Summer 2014

I am happy to announce that I will be a guest panelist at SoonerCon 23 June 27-29, 2014. It is a homecoming of sorts, as I have been unable to attend the last several years due to scheduling conflicts and other nuisances. But, not this year!

I will have copies of my book, Native Americans in Comic Books, available for purchase and signing as well as some other goodies.

Also...

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for INC (Indigenous Narratives Collective), as we will also have a table at SoonerCon this year, thanks to the generosity of Lee Francis IV at Wordcraft Circle ! I will be joined at the table by the ever-talented Roy Boney. We plan to have copies of our comics from the INC Universe available for purchase.

Look for us at the INC table and be sure to ask us about our upcoming projects at INC!

See you there ! :)

INC Spills Out in Tulsa

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:14:00 +0000

I am pleased to announce that...

Tulsa City-County Library's American Indian Resource Center presents the 2014 American Indian Festival of Words "Native Comic-Book Workshop" Saturday, March 8, 2014.

Featuring Roy Boney (Cherokee), Lee Francis IV (Laguna Pueblo), Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo) and Arigon Starr (Kickapoo).

Join the members of the Indigenous Narratives Collective ("INC") as they discuss ways in which comics and sequential art are redefining American Indian stories for the next generation. Plus, learn from their collective experience about the joys and pitfalls of creating successful comic-book projects either online or in print. You may bring your own comic-book portfolios for review.

Saturday, March 8, 2014
12:30-3:30 p.m.

Martin Regional Library
2601 S. Garnett Road
Tulsa, OK 74129

See http://guides.tulsalibrary.org/airc/ for more info on this event.

Book Signing at HASTINGS-Norman, OK-Fall 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 18:51:00 +0000

I'm extremely happy to announce that I will be back in the Norman area on September 14^th, 2013, signing my book, Native Americans in Comic Books. I will also have a few (very few) copies of the INC Universe comic book, which features my character, Dark Owl.

If you are in the area or nearby, please come see me and say 'hi' - I'd love to see you and talk about pop culture, comics, film, video games and more.

See press release, below, for more info. See you there ! :)

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

Local Native American Author, Michael Sheyahshe, at Book Signing

Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study is a thorough examination and critique of Indigenous cultural representation in American popular culture. Author, Michael Sheyahshe, will be at the Hastings Book Store, 2300 W. MAIN, Norman, OK on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm for book signing event.

Norman, OK -- Monday, September 14, 2013 – Local Native American author, Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), will be on-hand at Hastings Book Store in Norman, OK for a special book-signing and promotional event for his published work, Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study. The book, Sheyahshe's first published book, focuses on the representation of Indigenous people in American comics books. Show your support, bring your copy, and have it signed by the author. Additionally, copies will be on-hand for anyone needing to purchase the book.

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2013
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Hastings Book Store
Street: 2300 W. MAIN
City/Town: Norman, OK
Phone: 405.329.5529

Book info:
Native Americans in Comic Books, published by McFarland Publishing, is a unique study and critique of the way in which we Indigenous people are represented in the popular medium of comic books. This work takes an in-depth look at the world of comic books through the eyes of a Native American reader (Sheyahshe) and offers frank commentary on the medium's cultural representation.

For this book, Sheyahshe interviewed a host of individuals within the comic book industry: Tim Truman (creator/writer/artist for Scout: War Shaman), Alvin Schwartz (writer for Tomahawk from the 1940s), Terry LaBan (creator/writer/artist for Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hardboiled Shaman), Steve Englehart (creator/writer/artist for Coyote), John Ostrander (writer for Blaze of Glory), Rachel Pollack (creator/writer for Vertigo's Tomahawk), Jon Proudstar (creator/writer for Tribal Force), Mike Grell (creator/writer/artist for Shaman's Tears), Jeff Mariotte (writer for Gen13 series), David Mack (creator/illustrator for the Daredevil character, Echo), Jay Odjick (artist/creator of Kagagi: The Raven), Bradford. W. Wright (author of Comic Book Nation), and Jacquelyn Kilpatrick, Ph.D., (author of Celluloid Indians).

"As a groundbreaking work in the study of the depiction of Native Americans in the medium of comics, Native Americans in Comic Books is a welcome addition to the fields of Native American studies and popular culture studies." - Chris Teuton, World Literature Today.

Native Americans in Comic Books is available everywhere fine books are sold, such as Hastings and online locations, including: Target, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

For more information about Native Americans in Comic Books or the Hastings book signing event, please contact Michael Sheyahshe at email: sheyahshe@gmail.com or visit the book's website at www.nativecomicbooks.com.

Follow author, Michael Sheyahshe on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheyahshe or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sheyahshe.

About Author
Michael Sheyahshe is an enrolled member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and has been published in Illusions, Trauma Magazine, Native Peoples Magazine, and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine. His book, Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study, is available from McFarland publications. Michael received two separate Bachelor degrees, both cum laude, from the University of Oklahoma: one in Native American Studies and another in Film and Video Studies and earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 3D Modeling from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.

He is both a Gates Millennium Scholar and a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. Michael was awarded the Smithsonian Institution’s Native American Award and appointed as an intern at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. He has previously been appointed as a Tax Commissioner for the Caddo Nation and held a seat on the Board of Trustees for the Caddo Heritage Museum.

His achievements include: Director of Animation for a feature film, credits on a shipped video game for Nintendo Wii, and art purchased for the Red Cloud Museum's permanent collection. Michael's comic book character, Dark Owl, is featured in a collaboration with the Indigenous Narratives Collective ("INC") in INC's Universe #0. Michael achieved the rank of Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) in Okinawan Karate in 2011.

Contact Information:

Michael Sheyahshe, author

home: http://sheyahshe.wix.com/home
book: http://www.nativecomicbooks.com/
twitter: http://twitter.com/sheyahshe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheyahshe

sheyahshe@gmail.com
(405) 757-7NDN (7636)

###

INC Spills Out Into Denver Comic Con 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 30 May 2013 04:13:00 +0000

INC - the Indigenous Narrative Collective - has been making the 'rounds' at various Cons this year and I am excited to announce that we will be at the Denver Comic Con 2013.

In addition to being a panelist on some very interesting panels, I will be also be at DCC's Artist Alley during the Con. Of course, I will have copies of my book on hand for purchase ... which I would be gladly willing to sign. ;)

INC will also have a booth with info about our INC Universe comic. Several other members of INC will be present at this historic event, including Lee Francis, Arigon Starr, and Marty Two Bulls !

Panels:

Friday, May 31st, 7-8pm
"Tradition and KAPOW: Engaging Youth in Storytelling and Comics"
Rm 103

Saturday, June 1st, 12-1pm
"Telling OUR Stories: The (New) Ancient Traditions of Sequential Art"
Rm 103

Saturday, June 1st, 5-6pm
"Searching For Indigenous: Uncovering Identity Through Comics and Graphic Novels"
Rm 103

Sunday, June 2nd, 11am-12pm
"Native Americans in Comic Books"
Rm 102

For more information on DCC, see their website at http://www.denvercomiccon.com and for more information on INC go to their website at http://indigenousnarrativescollective.com.

"Assassin's Creed 3" Talk at NSU

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:30:00 +0000

Exciting news..!

On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, I and several other panelists will be on-hand at Northeastern State University, University Center in Tahlequah, OK to discuss the portrayal of Native American characters in both pop culture and Assassin's Creed III - which includes Indigenous characters in its story / gameplay.

Cherokee Artist (...and fellow INC Universe comic book creator...), Roy Boney, will server as moderator for this event.

Here is some additional info on AS3's Native American characters from Elizabeth Aileen LaPensée's instructional video.

The 41st Annual Symposium on the American Indian is entitled, "Technology Future, Technology Past: A Woven Link" April 10-13, 2013. Here is some info from the official Symposium website:

The theme for the 41st Annual Symposium on the American Indian, "Technology Future, Technology Past: A Woven Link." Indigenous societies have endured as technological innovations have effected massive cultural change. The spiritual paths taken are interwoven as living links between the past and the future. Like the ancestral oak, the branches that reach out into new space are nurtured by the seasonal life within its circuitry and secured by the deeply woven roots that give it strength.

Here is our panel discussion info:

Native American Film Series
Title: Killing Stereotypes: Assassin’s Creed and Natives in Popular Culture
Moderator: Roy Boney
Panelists: Michael Sheyahshe, Callie Chunestudy, Candessa Teehee, and Thomas Deer
Time: 7-9 pm
Location: Webb Auditorium

Also, due to increased interest and requests, I will have a few copies of my book, Native Americans in Comic Books, on-hand, for anyone interested in purchasing a copy...hey, I'll even sign it! LOL ☺

See you in Tahlequah!

Native American Comic Book Creators Speak in Tulsa

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:40:00 +0000

Come out to Tulsa for the "American Indian Festival of Words Writers Award" honoring award-winning screenwriter Sterlin Harjo, March 2, 10:30 a.m. at Tulsa City County Library. (TCCL) Central Library, Fourth Street and Denver Avenue, Tulsa, OK.

Following Harjo's presentation, see Natives in Comics: How to Create Comic-Book Art, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and How to Create Comic-Book Stories, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Join Native American comic-book creators Arigon Starr, Roy Boney, Michael Sheyahshe and Lee Francis IV, of Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers.

See http://www.tulsalibrary.org/news/library-honor-oklahoma-screenwriter-and-filmmaker-sterlin-harjo-0 for more info on this event.

Fresh INC

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:58:00 +0000

I'm please to announce my participation with the Indigenous Narratives Collective ("INC") on a comic book collaboration.

Here's a blub from Arigon Starr's website, http://superindiancomics.com/:

This is the cover of the brand new "INC's Universe" comic book just published by the Indigenous Narratives Collective. Concept and artwork by Arigon Starr. "INC's Universe" also features work from Roy Boney, Beth Aileen Dillon, Spider Moccasin, Jonathan Nelson, Michael Sheyahshe, Ryan Huna Smith, Theo Tso, Marty Two Bulls and Arigon Starr.

The INC comic is to be distributed at the Wordcraft Circle, “Returning The Gift” Conference in Milwaukee (Sept. 5-9) and the Southeastern Indian Writers Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina (Sept. 12-14).

I was mega-cool working with this group...big thanks to Arigon Starr for spearheading (can I say that online??) the whole thing. Look for more from INC soon!

Sheyahshe on NPR's 'Native America Calling'

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:11:00 +0000

I'm pleased to announce that I will be on the Native America Calling show on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 from 1pm - 2pm EST.

Native American characters can be seen in video games like "Turok - Dinosaur Hunter," "Mortal Kombat" and "Gun." Comic books also feature a large cast of Native characters dressed in the stereotypical feathers, leathers and war paint. Do you take pride when you come across a Native character in popular culture even though it does not look like a person from your tribe? Do Native Americans perpetuate the mythical Native character they claim to despise? Guests include Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo) Author of Native Americans in Comic Books

About NAC

Native America Calling is a live call-in program linking public radio stations, the Internet and listeners together in a thought-provoking national conversation about issues specific to Native communities. Each program engages noted guests and experts with callers throughout the United States and is designed to improve the quality of life for Native Americans. Native America Calling is heard on 52 stations in the United States and in Canada by approximately 500,000 listeners each week.

Be sure to tune in and call in to the show to discuss Indigenous representation in pop culture. To participate call: 1-800-996-2848, that's 1-800-99-NATIVE.

Speaking at IFAIR 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:27:00 +0000

I have been invited by the Institute for American Indian Research (IFAIR) at the University of New Mexico to the Indigenous Book and Authors Festival in Albuquerque on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 2pm for a session titled, "Graphic/Comic/Art Stories", based on my book from publisher, McFarland.

Here is some info I received in my invitation from UNM:

The 2012 Indigenous Book and Authors Festival promises to be an ambitious event to take place on our campus and in the Southwest and New Mexico. Based on a growing body of published writing by indigenous authors, it is an important opportunity to develop public and academic awareness of great writing. IFAIR is philosophically committed to the expression of indigenous thought and intellectual exchange. The festival event aims to promote special and shared opportunities to introduce invited authors to share and meet festival participants from the university community, city, state, as well as national and tribal citizens are most welcome.

Indigenous programs at UNM through the Institute for American Indian Research (IFAIR) is under the support of the College of Arts & Sciences. Our mission since its inception in 2003 has been to support indigenous research issues and dialogue for enrichment and strengthening of intellectual interaction and communication among competing programs at a major research institution. For more information: www.unm.edu/~ifair.

This year’s festival especially seeks to acknowledge indigenous authors whose publications promote tribal perspectives, creativity, history and research while celebrating the published work. This event has the cooperation of various partners at the University of New Mexico who are working with the IFAIR advisory committee, the College of Arts and Sciences, Indigenous Nations Library Program of the University Libraries, the Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies, and faculty in Native American Studies and anthropology, English and psychology, and the Lobo Bookstore.

The two‐day Festival activities in addition to the author presentations and writing workshop programmes will include on‐site meals, a keynote luncheon talk by Dr. Luanna Ross, President of Salish‐Kootenai College, a poetics lunch gathering with Simon Ortiz and his daughter Sara Ortiz, a poetry slam with music by Native Roots, and an evening of indigenous storytelling. With the exception of charge of $7 for the keynote lunch, all events are free and open to the public.

A full programme schedule will be available soon.

For more information please contact IFAIR at mesa@unm.edu or call 505‐277‐3917.

Hope to see all my friends from the surroundings areas...be ready with questions. :)

Sheyahshe Interviewed for Cowbows & Indians Mag

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Writer Steve Philips, Web Content Manager at Cowboys & Indians Magazine and Western & English Today interviewed me for an article about Cowbows & Aliens (summer, 2011), directed by Jon Favreau (you may remember him from such films as: Iron Man and Iron Man 2).

Cowboys & Indians is an
"international magazine...[that] speaks to everyone from the people who live it
to those who simply love or long for the Western lifestyle" and "balances past
and present, tradition and innovation, and classical and cutting edge as it pays
respectful tribute to the Old West and offers exciting previews of new
horizons."

Read the online article here: http://www.cowboysindians.com/art-entertainment/books/2011/07/native-american-superheroes.jsp

Phelps provides a lot of succinct points about Indigenous representation in pop culture media. One additional concern is the "Dances with Wolves" ("DWW") syndrome. To best explain this syndrome, the joke goes something like this: while Dances with Wolves (Kevin Costner, 1990) is arguably a fine film - and has Native characters that are well-written, well-researched, and well-played (by Native American actors) - it is basically about two white people that fall in love...oh, and there are some Native people there, too. :)

Cowboys & Aliens ("C&A") may fall victim to the DWW syndrome, as well. Sadly, a quick scan of the cast members (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0409847/), supports this, as there are very few Native American actors listed. Given Favreau's many successes over the last few years, as well as his passion for film and storytelling, Cowboys & Aliens will most likely be worth viewing.

Yet, the main point is this: Indigenous people need stories, films, video games, whatever that are just as good/cool/popular as Cowboys & Aliens comic or film... only with Native characters as the centralized story elements AND created BY us (rather than Hollywood or others doing it FOR us).

SEOSU Lecture Postponed

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Due to scheduling conflicts, my lecture at Southeastern State University in Durant, OK (http://nativecomicbooks.blogspot.com/2010/08/lecture-at-seosu-in-durant-ok.html) has been postponed.

Keep an eye out for when we work out a new date/time for this lecture.

Lecture at SEOSU in Durant, OK

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:59:00 +0000

**NOTE** This lecture has been postponed. Check the website for a new date. Thanks.
-M

If you are in the areas nearby or surrounding Durant, Oklahoma - where Southeastern Oklahoma State University is located - on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 4pm to 5:30pm, consider coming by to see my lecture on Native American gender representations in pop culture.

You can see more information about my lecture at this website: http://www.se.edu/departments/art/visual_art.htm

The event will be held at SEOSU's Centre Gallery in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, part of the Division of Visual Arts, whose mission "is to serve the needs of a rural and diverse university community of southern Oklahoma and northern Texas by providing a balanced undergraduate curriculum in the visual arts."

My lecture, "I" of the Beholder: Indigenous Gender Representations in Pop Culture will be a discussion on how Native Americans are portrayed based on gender in media. In addition, you can see artwork at The Charles & Miriam Hogan Native American Art Works which will be on display at the Centre Gallery.

I look forward to a good discussion with everyone there ! ;)

For more information contact Dr. Gleny Beach, Director of Visual Art, 745-7477.

Lecture and Book Signing at IAIA

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:29:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Native American Author, Michael Sheyahshe, to Speak at IAIA

Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study is a thorough examination and critique of Indigenous cultural representation in American popular culture. Author, Michael Sheyahshe, Caddo, will give a public lecture at Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), located at 83 Avan Nu Po Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87508 on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 at 2:30pm. The presentation will be followed by a book signing at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art’s Museum Store on Friday, part of Santa Fe's ongoing First Friday's gallery hop.
Santa Fe, NM -- Friday, February 05, 2010 – Native American author, Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), will present a public lecture about his book, Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study at Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, NM. The book, Sheyahshe's first published work, focuses on the representation of Indigenous people in American comics books.

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is "the nation’s only fine arts college devoted solely to the artistic and cultural traditions of all American Indians" and is "a multi-tribal learning center, [which provides] a bridge between a past rich with tradition and the dynamic ever-evolving American Indian culture of the new millennium." For more information about IAIA, please visit their website at http://www.iaia.edu/.

Date: Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
Street: 83 AVAN NU PO ROAD
City/Town: SANTA FE, NM
Phone: 505.983.1777

Sheyahshe will be available for a special book signing event at IAIA’s Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA) on Friday, April 2nd, 2010. “The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts is dedicated to advancing the discourse, knowledge and understanding of Native art.” The Museum is located at 108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1 block from the downtown Santa Fe historic plaza. For information about the MoCNA, call Samantha Ferguson at 505.428.5900. For information about the Museum Store, call 505.983.1666. (Fax 505.983.1222)

Date: Friday, April 2nd, 2010
Time: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Location: IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
Street: 108 Cathedral Place
City/Town: SANTA FE, NM
Phone: 505.983.1777

"As a groundbreaking work in the study of the depiction of Native Americans in the medium of comics, Native Americans in Comic Books is a welcome addition to the fields of Native American studies and popular culture studies." - Chris Teuton, World Literature Today.

Native Americans in Comic Books is available everywhere fine books are sold; online locations include: Hastings, Target, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

For more information about Native Americans in Comic Books, the lecture, or book signing event, please contact Michael Sheyahshe at email: info@nativecomicbooks.com or visit the book's website at www.nativecomicbooks.com. You can also follow author, Michael Sheyahshe, on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheyahshe. Additional information about the book itself can be obtained from the publisher, McFarland, listed below.

Contact Information:
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
Tel: 336-246-4460
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/
info@mcfarlandpub.com

###

Press Release - Book Signing, Hastings,Norman, OK

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:29:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Native American Author, Michael Sheyahshe, at Book Signing

Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study is a thorough examination and critique of Indigenous cultural representation in American popular culture. Author, Michael Sheyahshe, will be at the Hastings Book Store, 2300 W. MAIN, Norman, OK on Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm for book signing event.

Norman, OK -- Monday, August 24, 2009 – Local Native American author, Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), will be on-hand at the Hastings Book Store in Yukon, OK for a special book-signing and promotional event for his book, Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study. The book, Sheyahshe's first published work, focuses on the representation of Indigenous people in American comics books. Show your support and bring your copy and have it signed by the author. Hastings will have copies available for anyone needing to purchase copies for signing.

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Hastings Book Store
Street: 2300 W. MAIN
City/Town: Norman, OK
Phone: 405.329.5529

Native Americans in Comic Books, published by McFarland Publishing, is a unique study and critique of the way in which we Indigenous people are represented in the popular medium of comic books. This work takes an in-depth look at the world of comic books through the eyes of a Native American reader (Sheyahshe) and offers frank commentary on the medium's cultural representation. For this book, Sheyahshe interviewed a host of individuals within the comic book industry: Tim Truman (creator/writer/artist for Scout: War Shaman), Alvin Schwartz (writer for Tomahawk from the 1940s), Terry LaBan (creator/writer/artist for Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hardboiled Shaman), Steve Englehart (creator/writer/artist for Coyote), John Ostrander (writer for Blaze of Glory), Rachel Pollack (creator/writer for Vertigo's Tomahawk), Jon Proudstar (creator/writer for Tribal Force), Mike Grell (creator/writer/artist for Shaman's Tears), Jeff Mariotte (writer for Gen13 series), David Mack (creator/illustrator for the Daredevil character, Echo), Jay Odjick (artist/creator of Kagagi: The Raven), Bradford. W. Wright (author of "Comic Book Nation"), and Jacquelyn Kilpatrick, Ph.D., (author of "Celluloid Indians").

"As a groundbreaking work in the study of the depiction of Native Americans in the medium of comics, Native Americans in Comic Books is a welcome addition to the fields of Native American studies and popular culture studies." - Chris Teuton, World Literature Today.

Native Americans in Comic Books is available everywhere fine books are sold, such as Hastings and online locations, including: Target, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

For more information about Native Americans in Comic Books or the Hastings book signing event, please contact Michael Sheyahshe at email: info@nativecomicbooks.com or visit the book's website at www.nativecomicbooks.com. You can also follow author, Michael Sheyahshe on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheyahshe. Additional information about the book itself can be obtained from the publisher, McFarland, listed below.

About Author
Michael Sheyahshe and is a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and currently sits on the Board of Trustees for the Caddo Heritage Museum. In May 2003, he received two degrees, both cum laude, from the University of Oklahoma: one in Native American Studies (BA) and another in Film and Video Studies (BA). Michael is a Gates Millennium Scholar, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and is a member of both the Alpha Lambda Delta and Gamma Beta Phi honor fraternities. Michael has presented academic papers at various universities, museums, and summits around the country. Michael has been published in Illusions magazine, "New Zealand moving image and performing arts criticism," Trauma Magazine a "European movie magazine entirely dedicated to the fantastic world of horror, science fiction and fantasy," Native Peoples Magazine and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, both about Native American characters in video games. Michael has held internships with the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Student Life and with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History's in Washington, DC, and has previously been appointed as a Tax Commissioner for the Caddo Nation. Through his studio, alterNative Media (“aNm” http://www.alternativemedia.biz) - an all-inclusive traditional & digital art & media studio in the Oklahoma City metro area - Michael's recent artistic achievements include serving as Director of Animation for a feature film, work on a shipped video game title (Helix) for Nintendo Wii, and has artwork featured at various art shows around the country. Currently, Michael is finishing a Master's program (MFA) in 3D Modeling at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, for School of Animation & Visual Effects.

Contact Information:
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
Tel: 336-246-4460
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/
info@mcfarlandpub.com

###

Press Release - Book Signing, Hastings, Yukon, OK

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:46:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Native American Author, Michael Sheyahshe, at Book Signing

Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study is a thorough examination and critique of Indigenous cultural representation in American popular culture. Author, Michael Sheyahshe, will be at the Hastings Book Store, 1105 GARTH BROOKS BLVD. Yukon, OK on Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm for book signing event.

Yukon, OK -- Tuesday, August 04, 2009 – Local Native American author, Michael Sheyahshe (Caddo), will be on-hand at the Hastings Book Store in Yukon, OK for a special book-signing and promotional event for his book, Native Americans in Comic Books: A Critical Study. The book, Sheyahshe's first published work, focuses on the representation of Indigenous people in American comics books. Show your support and bring your copy and have it signed by the author. Hastings will have copies available for anyone needing to purchase copies for signing.

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Hastings Book Store
Street: 1105 GARTH BROOKS BLVD.
City/Town: Yukon, OK
Phone: 405.350.1803

Native Americans in Comic Books, published by McFarland Publishing, is a unique study and critique of the way in which we Indigenous people are represented in the popular medium of comic books. This work takes an in-depth look at the world of comic books through the eyes of a Native American reader (Sheyahshe) and offers frank commentary on the medium's cultural representation. For this book, Sheyahshe interviewed a host of individuals within the comic book industry: Tim Truman (creator/writer/artist for Scout: War Shaman), Alvin Schwartz (writer for Tomahawk from the 1940s), Terry LaBan (creator/writer/artist for Muktuk Wolfsbreath: Hardboiled Shaman), Steve Englehart (creator/writer/artist for Coyote), John Ostrander (writer for Blaze of Glory), Rachel Pollack (creator/writer for Vertigo's Tomahawk), Jon Proudstar (creator/writer for Tribal Force), Mike Grell (creator/writer/artist for Shaman's Tears), Jeff Mariotte (writer for Gen13 series), David Mack (creator/illustrator for the Daredevil character, Echo), Jay Odjick (artist/creator of Kagagi: The Raven), Bradford. W. Wright (author of "Comic Book Nation"), and Jacquelyn Kilpatrick, Ph.D., (author of "Celluloid Indians").

"As a groundbreaking work in the study of the depiction of Native Americans in the medium of comics, Native Americans in Comic Books is a welcome addition to the fields of Native American studies and popular culture studies." - Chris Teuton, World Literature Today.

Native Americans in Comic Books is available everywhere fine books are sold, such as Hastings and online locations, including: Target, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

For more information about Native Americans in Comic Books or the Hastings book signing event, please contact Michael Sheyahshe at email: info@nativecomicbooks.com or visit the book's website at www.nativecomicbooks.com. You can also follow author, Michael Sheyahshe on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheyahshe. Additional information about the book itself can be obtained from the publisher, McFarland, listed below.

About Author
Michael Sheyahshe and is a member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and currently sits on the Board of Trustees for the Caddo Heritage Museum. In May 2003, he received two degrees, both cum laude, from the University of Oklahoma: one in Native American Studies (BA) and another in Film and Video Studies (BA). Michael is a Gates Millennium Scholar, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, and is a member of both the Alpha Lambda Delta and Gamma Beta Phi honor fraternities. Michael has presented academic papers at various universities, museums, and summits around the country. Michael has been published in Illusions magazine, "New Zealand moving image and performing arts criticism," Trauma Magazine a "European movie magazine entirely dedicated to the fantastic world of horror, science fiction and fantasy," Native Peoples Magazine and Games for Windows: The Official Magazine, both about Native American characters in video games. Michael has held internships with the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Student Life and with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History’s in Washington, DC, and has previously been appointed as a Tax Commissioner for the Caddo Nation. Through his studio, alterNative Media (“aNm” http://www.alternativemedia.biz) - an all-inclusive traditional & digital art & media studio in the Oklahoma City metro area - Michael’s recent artistic achievements include serving as Director of Animation for a feature film, work on a shipped video game title (Helix) for Nintendo Wii, and has artwork featured at various art shows around the country. Currently, Michael is finishing a Master's program (MFA) in 3D Modeling at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA, for School of Animation & Visual Effects.

Contact Information:
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
Tel: 336-246-4460
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/
info@mcfarlandpub.com

###

Book Review - World Literature Today

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:56:00 +0000

A new review in World Literature Today (May/June 2009) talks about my book, "Native Americans in Comic Books." Read the article here:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5270/is_3_83/ai_n31844212/

For those unfamiliar with the magazine, World Literature Today is
"An international literary journal that publishes interviews, original poetry, and fiction from around the world. Articles include essays on writers and regional trends, authors writing on books that changed their lives, and travel writing."

In the article, Chris Teuton calls the work "groundbreaking," "a welcome addition to the fields of Native American studies and popular culture studies," and "an important sourcebook".
However, Teuton clarifies his standpoint on the book, saying that it is not a "scholarly work, but a collection of the candid insights of one comic book enthusiast and his understanding and reaction to the representation of Native Americans in comics."

Fair enough. However, I have to say it certainly felt like scholarly research when I was both researching and writing it.

Heh. :)

Thanks for the review, Chris Teuton...and thanks to WLT for publishing it.
Cheers.

-Michael Sheyahshe

Contact Us

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Sheyahshe) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:44:00 +0000

To contact Native Americans in Comic Books, please email us at info@nativecomicbooks.com.
You may also use the form below.

Also, feel free to participate our online forum at:
http://nativecomics.proboards75.com/

For more information about publication or press release dates, please contact McFarland Publications at:
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/contact.html

You can order the book at the McFarland website, located here:
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3565-4

Native Americans in Comic Books can also be found at Amazon.com, here:
http://www.amazon.com/Native-Americans-Comic-Books-Critical/dp/0786435658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199292984&sr=8-1