Opinion

Jay Tavare: Names perpetuate false image of Indian people





"Most American Indian tribal names are not the real names of the Indian nations. They were names given to them by their enemies or more correctly, the Indians who worked with the United States Cavalry to fight the Indians who resisted the white ways. The word "Apache" -- the tribal name for N'de people -- originally came from the Zuni word "apachu," a derogatory term that means "enemy strangers."

Also, Geronimo's real name was Goyakola, "the one who yawns a lot." We see this kind of name abuse in many areas. The Apache Helicopter is another one -- a killing machine named after the Apache Nation. In Holland and France, the street nick name for a thug is "Apache." I could go on and on, about how the Red Skins football team or Cleveland Indians baseball team's mascots are just as offensive, for instance.

American Indian heroes, and their names, should not be used without an understanding of who these folks really were and what they still mean to their people. Most of this I blame on Hollywood and the way the Indians were always demonized in film and TV -- it's no wonder the world has such a false image of the Red Nation and its heroes."

Get the Story:
Jay Tavare: Geronimo (The Huffington Post 5/6)

Related Stories:
Harlyn Geronimo statement for Senate Indian Affairs hearing (5/6)
Democracy Now: LaDuke on militarization of Indian Country (5/6)
Editorial: 'Geronimo' codename causes headache for Obama (5/6)
Opinion: Nothing wrong with use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/6)
Opinion: Use of 'Geronimo' name defames American Indians (5/6)
MP3: Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on stereotypes (5/5)
Tina Marie Osceola: Apology due for US treatment of Natives (5/5)
Oneida Nation statement on use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/5)
Rep. Albert Hale letter to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/5)
NMAI statement on military use of 'Geronimo' as codename (5/5)
Terry Rambler: Saying goodbye to our young Apache leader (5/5)
L.M. VanEvery: Use of 'Geronimo' codename was 'offensive' (5/5)
Lise Balk King: The Indian Wars still alive and well in the US (5/5)
IPR: Indian Country bristles at use of 'Geronimo' codename (5/5)
Rep. Cole says military didn't have to use 'Geronimo' name (5/5)
Defense Department says 'Geronimo' was chosen randomly (5/5)
Native Sun News: Veterans upset by 'Geronimo' codename (5/4)
Fort Sill Apache Tribe to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Seminole Tribe letter to President Obama about 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Navajo president's statement on 'Geronimo' as codename (5/4)
SCIA to address use of 'Geronimo' as codename at hearing (5/4)
NCAI statement on use of 'Geronimo' for Osama codename (5/4)
Steven Newcomb: US still treats Indian people like terrorists (5/4)
Lise Balk King: US drops bomb with 'Geronimo' as codename (5/4)
Military use of 'Geronimo' codename was apparently recent (5/4)
Onondaga Nation leaders criticize military use of 'Geronimo' (5/4)
Fort Sill historian doesn't think 'Geronimo' use is a big deal (5/4)
Opinion: Geronimo back in the news with Osama bin Laden (5/4)
Opinion: US slanders Geronimo's name with Osama mission (5/3)
Rep. Pearce: White House crowd celebrates Osama's death (5/2)

Join the Conversation