Irene Berdard acts as a strong Indian woman in all her movies because she wants to show how strong Indian women are.
Irene Berdard is an actress from Alaska. her father is half Cree and her mother is Inuit. Growing up she learned a lot about her Indian culture.(History Database ) She has played the parts of Pocahontas, Mary Crow Dog in Lakot Women: Siege at Wounded Knee, Suzy Song in Smoke signals, and many more. (Indian Country) She has had a struggle of racism against Indians which she does not agree with. In a interview with Tyra Banks she said"I look at people and look in their eyes" (youtbe/tyrabanks)
Irene Berdard has been trying to get people to learn more about native Americans and really understand their culture and wants them to be seen in a better light. A lot of the times Indians are viewed as these crazy people that have no morals. In one interview she said "The film industry has been getting stronger in the way of portraying native people in a more realistic light.. audiences want to see more of the reality and more of the truth"(History Database ). She believes that people are starting to change their opinions on Native Americans and she contributed to that. She was asked by an interviewer "How does it feel to stand as a representation of what a native person can accomplish?" she responded with " This is a heavy duty question.. this coming generation, those of us who have whatever gifts they may be.. now is the time to give those gifts.. we need to inspire each other to live life in a beautiful way and In the way of peace and understanding and enveloping all humans on the planet in one circle just like the medicine wheel. I believe that when we do give these gifts and we do impart this knowledge and give freely of who we are as indigenous people all around the world, it is going to create this beautiful awakening in the coming generation."
(Indian
Country). Irene Berdard stated that "People were put on this earth for learning, no matter what race"(youtbe/tyrabanks).
Irene Berdard likes to play strong women Indian Roles. A lot of people made harsh comments about the movie "Pocahontas" being false but Irene Berdard played her because she represented what Indian women are, strong. when asked "What makes Pocahontas special among the Disney canon?" she said "Pocahontas is the strongest. She's not waiting for her prince she actually saves John Smith from death. She is independent and strong willed." (Disney).Indian women have always had a strong part in their tribes. The women controlled all the goods and children, helped with medical problems, on the council, and some even went into battle for the wounded husbands. A lot of Indians believe that their origin stems with the women because they are the ones who gave them life. Most Indian tribes are matrilineal. In the North East and South East there are many female rulers. All the women have power over their behavior, children, body, and land from before their marriage. A lot of Indian tribes have women spirits such as the three sisters, who they believe gave them all their essentials, and white painted lady, and child of the water. Closer to nowadays Indian women joined armed forces in World War Two. Women have formed groups to stop assaults on native groups, their names are White Buffalo Calf, Native Women's Association, The Women of all Red Nations, The Inuit Women's Association, The Women's Dance Health Program, and The Sacred Shawl Society. these groups want to help with violence, drugs, alcohol, cultural preservation, training midwives, improve education, and stopping loss of subsistent way of life.(Women in american indian society)
Many Indians have experienced racial and gender issues. Irene Berdard as an actress has helped everyone see how Indians really are and that they are strong and smart people.
I used this article for broad information on Irene Berdard’s
career including all the movies she has been in. There also was a couple of
question and answers with Irene Berdard.
I used this website for information before and the early part
of her life.
interview with Irene berdard about racism
Green, Rayna. Women
in American Indian Society. New York: Chelsea House, 1992.
Print.
Print.
I used this book for
information on women in Native American societies and what the womens roles
are.
