Campo Kumeyaay Nation Vice Chairman Harry Paul Cuero appears in "Chelsea Does Racism," an episode of the documentary series featuring Chelsea Handler. Still image from Netflix
Popular comedian and television host Chelsea Handler visited the Campo Kumeyaay Nation in California as part of her documentary series on Netflix. In an episode titled "Chelsea Does Racism," Handler sat down with Vice Chairman Harry Paul Cuero and learned more about the tribe's culture. He said the Campo people remain proud of their roots despite being restricted to a small portion of their aboriginal homeland in the southern part of the state. "If you look at our reservation ... it's a lot of rocks," said Cuero, who is later seen performing part of a Bird Song for Handler. "It's hard to do any kind of economic development." Handler's visit was spurred by a discussion with Sonny Skyhawk, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the founder of the American Indians in Film and Television. She acknowledged that she didn't know much about Indian Country even though she regularly performs at tribal casinos. "It's pretty modernized from what I understand," Handler says in a segment with Skyhawk and representatives of other minority media organizations. Skyhawk plainly replies: "No."
Joely Proudfit appears in "Chelsea Does Racism," an episode of the documentary series featuring Chelsea Handler. Still image from Netflix
In addition to going to the Campo Reservation, Handler met with Joely Proudfit, a professor who is a descendant of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. She discussed the harmful effects of mascots and stereotypes on Native youth. "To be left standing alone and having your Native students say, 'Why aren't we valued?'" Proudfit said. "That is frustrating. That is racist." The "Chelsea Does" series features four episodes.
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