"If you're not Indian, don't claim to be," says David Yeagley, the conservative commentator who is questioning the ancestry of a Hollywood actor named Rudy Youngblood.
Yeagley tells Backstage.com that he doesn't think Youngblood, who starred in "Apocalypto," is Comanche. He wants the actor to prove he has a blood link to the Oklahoma tribe.
Youngblood is refusing to do so. He told The Los Angeles Times that his biological mother is Comanche and his biological father is Yaqui. His biography claims he has been adopted by a prominent Comanche family.
Actor Mark Reed, the chairman and American Indians in Film and Television, says Youngblood should come forward with proof. He said the doubts could result in a loss of roles for other Indian actors, who are severely underrepresented in film and television.
"Rudy Youngblood has an obligation to Indian country to dispel these charges rather than avoiding it," Reed tells Backstage.com
Get the Story:'Apocalypto' Actor Under Fire About Heritage (Backstage.Com 4/12) Relevant Links:
Rudy Youngblood - http://www.rudyyoungblood.com
Bad Eagle - http://www.badeagle.com
Apocalypto - http://apocalypto.movies.go.com Related Stories:
Bad Eagle questions Comanche ancestry of actor (3/28)
Doug George-Kanentiio: 'Apocalypto' offensive to Native history (12/19)
Review: 'Apocalypto' an action-packed experience (12/07)
Review: Gibson made up a big one with 'Apocalypto' (12/6)
Mel Gibson attends Cabazon Band powwow (11/28)
Mel Gibson upset over failed screening at IAIA (09/29)
Mel Gibson's new film depicts Mayan 'sacrifice' (9/26)
Mel Gibson to screen new film for Oklahoma Indians (9/19)
Yellow Bird: Why are Jewish people so hated? (08/14)
