What an intense horror film with just the right touch of drama to remind you there is a message in this. Mohawk is based around the War of 1812 involving countries such as french, United Kingdom, The United States, In the midst of all of this madness the Native America tribes such as “Mohawks” are caught into the crossfires forced to fight with hostile Americans because there was no other option, Some critics claim that the low budget film-work was a problem to this film but I feel it gave it more of an authentic/cinema Verte / -real approach. Even some negative feedback was published to the bad dialogues and wardrobe pieces. I think the modern looking wardrobe, with English speaking Native Americans gave it a new age convenience that everyone can enjoy. I felt the story line matched the characters performances very well. You sort of have a flip side to where you see horrifying things done to Natives yet when the script flips you find yourself in a horror movie from the American’s perspectives. Thus making you know feel like your being hunted even if you also do wish for the Revenge happen. Very cool movie, creative and plenty satisfying revenge scenes.
Movies like this, remind me of how proud I feel to be a Native American. Also knowing Clint Eastwood had any involvement in this movie gives great confidence. First things first, this movie is amazing, powerful and realism to it’s ugliest truth. Watch it, love it, know it. Ok, So myself, I am Native American and Swedish ethnicity, and back in the 1980’s it wasn’t unheard of but it was still semi taboo to date a Beautiful lil Indian girl at West Seattle high School, but hey, my Dad was an innovator, a rebel and a Baad Mutherfucker in his hay-day(s). So he went for it, then oops here I am. In the Film Indian Horse they show the lead character go through several chapters of his life while he narrates the story to help you really grasp what the character is feeling. You see how Hockey is his way out of the life of Neglect, Abandonment, Abuse, Fear and oppression. Hockey in Canada is very popular how Football is very popular in the United States. However Hockey is much rougher as in Football fighting is strictly prohibited and can get you thrown out of games or fined. Hockey you can knock a guys teeth out and only receive minutes in a penalty box before returning to the game. The character goes through double the abuse during games as being Native American is double-hate time for other sports players. You see in the movie how this was an era when folks would openly taunt or hurt Native Americans just for being alive or enjoying a beer with friends. It makes you sick but also sort of reminded me of our History and how far we have come. First it was man VS Animal, then it was racism, then it was the type of race that mattered. Next humans realized women needed their rights, then our next milestone was gays deserved rights and soon after, Transgender can’t be left out and somewhere in the mix Animals deserved rights the whole time too. Soon the computers or robots will demand rights. Maybe that’s too far off? We digress, back to the film, there are some notable scenes like when the crowd applaud and adore the Lead Characters Hockey skills and congratulate him by throwing miniature toy Indians with Native Headdress/warbonnets on them. You see him lay on the ice staring at the the toys as land near him with this indifferent yet intense focus in his eyes. Leading us as the audience to think two things, one that he is highly offended to see a mockery of his people but also it could be a moment of shock that everyone praises him to make toys of him like a rockstar. One thing is for sure that OG Native Americans don’t appreciate mockery or toys with Warrior Chief Headdress’ on. The culture of the Native American Headdress is that it’s rarely given to anyone and only chiefs and warriors are among those to be given such a great gift. Few can proudly wear them and are to be defended at all costs. I remember the first time my Mother saw me wearing a warbonnet on my head that I bought from an online store. I wasn’t sure how she would react being a proud Native American herself. She takes one look at me and says “aww my lil Chief of West Seattle, cuuute, I love it” and it was at that moment I felt like the daughter of a Baad Mutherfucker who produced a Baad Mutherfucker for a Mom knighted me the power to wear this War Bonnet proud and to defend it against any opposing enemies. Not too long after that my Uncle (who is younger than me because the Natives don’t have an [OFF] switch, HA) Anyway my Uncle defends me to another Native from my own tribe or in Canada they call tribes “Bands” and the other member was offended by my War Bonnet. Said they are only earned. My uncle says this to him “If it’s drowning in the tears of his enemies or going through life full of Trials & Tribulations, then yes, My nephew has earned that. It’s not his fault he was sent to white washed schools without his Grandfathers guidance but at this point it’s important we as Native Americans hold onto whatever we got left.” and when I read that I felt like my Uncle did a giant upper cut punch right through any cultural appropriation comments brought on by anyone Native American OR not Native American. It was beautiful to know that he is my family. My uncle is a wise but gnarly Indian and I love him and the rest of my family just the way they are. So with that being said about how OG Native Americans not appreciating any sort of mockery of their culture you can see in the film the lead character never ever loses who he is no matter how far he goes in life. He carries his pride throughout the film into a victory lap around the scenes. You see how close he is to the family that helps him. Even though the character is taken in by other Natives who are not his direct bloodline he realizes family is who you choose. The movie covers a time when Native American language was removed from the schools and you would be strictly punished if you used any Native tongue or names in school. They successfully deleted much of Native American culture from the history books. Though some of the people he meets are great some are also bad but not revealed until it’s usually too late. You get to see an era on film before the civil rights movement with some harsh looks at our own people being harsh to other living breathing people. In a time when humans didn’t even know what humans are suppose to look like, yet it’s a trick fucking question, we are all humans so this is how we all look. How the earth was growing and like how human growing pains they can hurt. Our lands were so broken that we couldn’t even see the human race for the human and instead focused on only the race. This is a great movie for anyone that enjoys seeing a character never give up and never give in. Happy endings with true events makes it even all the better.
I always have liked Showbox Sodo with it’s large open floor plan and great sound quality. You can pre-reserve seating when you buy tickets in advanced under the “emerald Package” otherwise it’s all standing room only. Nahko is a mixed/Native American artist who is a cross between some hip-hop / reggae with a hint of rock music. He has some deep songs with important messages. I noticed he doesn’t have the mohawk anymore which is too bad. He sounded great and had a very cool entrance on stage with segments for each band mate to play their instruments as openers. He did an encore at the end and this show was a good mix of old and newer songs of his. Second time seeing him and well worth the ticket.
I hear a lot of talk these days about how far we have come but how far we need to go. However I would rather focus on how far we have come than fixate on what we haven’t done yet. Love and respect to each human and the rest will follow. That being said, usually my Blog is only about Music & Movie reviews but I was thinking today, this is my show, I have freedom of speech in this little fuck’n box so I can say what the fuck I want. So let me take you back to young Skoo-B….for years of my young life leading to the present I appear to most as a full Caucasian or otherwise white male. Skin color is all humans have focused on for too many decades to count. However statistics show that blond hair blue eyes are becoming a minority due to how many mixtures we are seeing in the now era. I am actually half Native American (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) and half Swedish on my Father’s side. However I look lighter skin in the winter and can hold a tan in the summer, light brown eyes and high cheek bones with hair that always stands up. So now that we have that background on me I was in the 24hr fitness in West Seattle today. I spotted a probably mid 60’s man who was clearly in solid shape, big arms, slight belly but otherwise very strong. Wearing baggy sweat pants, sneakers, tank top, baseball hat flipped straight up like the late 80’s early 90’s (fresh prince style) and some thick frame black glasses. I notice he had some faded tattoos on his arms and one had a Eagle or Hawk and read “Hawk Eye” underneath. He was also using gardening gloves for lifting gloves. Due to this guys appearance I stereotyped him to either being fresh out of prison from a 25yr sentence or Military. He happened to be Vietnam Era Veteran with 1 tour as a grunt man infantry and fought on the front line. However the rules back then were if you were the last to carry your birth name to your bloodline you could be honorably discharged not to mention Hawk Eye had a severe case of ADHD and schizophrenia so he was never suppose to be drafted to begin with. However his story doesn’t end like Full Metal Jacket. Not even close. Instead he returns to the US only to be ridiculed, taunted, belittled, judged and slandered for fighting the war. He said the government even turned around and offered assistance to his former enemies to come to the states and start a new life. During this time the great Mohammed Ali stood his ground on refusing the draft and making history. Ali was Hawk Eye’s hero which for Hawk Eye, a seemingly White male adoring an African American during the 60’s & 70’s shows you how much of an individual he actually was, even then. Which was a time when racism was in the streets, in the wars and in every household. Hawk Eye didn’t see color.
He was Originally from San Diego, moved all of over as a teenager after leaving the service. He slept on street corners and under freeways, worked as a laborer to get cash. Although always stayed on his fitness and tried to eat right never touched any drugs and stayed out of trouble even though he was always homeless. He ended up in West Seattle currently, after meeting some church outreach folks that were on a mission to save individuals on the streets. Hawk Eye, who’s real name is Richard Mason is a baby boomer with a glass is half full mindset that feels like God or the Universe has a plan. I told him someone needs and wants to hear his story so write it down. He says he keeps a journal. Another interesting fact is Hawk Eye was nicknamed that as a kid because he had really good vision and always has. However he laughed because he said he couldn’t shoot a target for shit due to his ADD and problem with guidance and authority at a young age. Much respect to this man and can’t wait to watch the movie on his life. So I left that beautiful interaction to the nearby bank and as I walk in I compliment this potentially African American man’s hat. The man replied “Thanks Brotha” and it hit me. Look at me, look at how I look, yet back in the day that man most likely would never have called me his brotha regardless that I do not appear mixed race. Let alone he would never have meant it back then in the 60’s. Look at how far we have come and the little things we don’t even notice because we can’t see the forest for the trees. Increase the love and you will watch the whole picture form. West Seattle for Life!
Young 21yr old kid coming straight out of Burien, WA and rep’n the street Ambaum harrrd. I can relate because I represent West Seattle to the fullest so be proud of where you came from no matter what it looked like then or now. This guy has great lyrics and isn’t faking to be someone he is not. Even makes jokes in his lyrics of stealing costco samples and riding the bus with his friends. Yet also dreams of taking care of his parents if he ever makes it big. I have ran into this dude several times around town and at shows, I have tried to get connected with him to help put him in shows along side others I know but he does the “talk to my manager thing” so hopefully they know something I don’t know because this was the first time he headlined a show since being around years prior. He’s great live and good for him for performing at an historical venue known as the Showbox Market. The showbox has great vantage points, 2 bars on each side and good sound quality inside. It was rumored that this venue is potentially set to be demolished so hopefully that doesn’t happen.
The SkooB View 