Written by Garrett Brown – March 5th 2022
Originally published by Film Inquiry
It’s not a secret that Native and Indigenous communities have not had the same access or representation within the film industry that others have. Whether behind the camera or in front of it, industry gatekeeping and systemic racism have prevented talented Native and Indigenous artists from breaking through and showcasing deep, multi-faceted Native representation.
While this is slowly changing, many people still want to fetishize the imagery and identity of Native Americans without actually having to confront the sad reality that tons of popular practices perpetuate colonization and dehumanization. In order to be able to have these discussions, it sometimes helps to add a little humor. As well as a bear or two.
INFORMATIVE AND ENTERTAINING
Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear is a humorous animated short written, directed, and produced by Joey Clift.
In the style of an informative PSA, Clift humorously confronts white people’s ability to simultaneously appropriate Native culture and evade attempts to be held accountable for the harm they have perpetrated. Although it is just two minutes long, this short film is a terrific showcase of comedic talent on the rise.
SKILLED WRITING
Clift is a comedian, writer, and enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. He began his career studying broadcast journalism, eventually switching to comedy writing and performance. Having written for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, Clift knows how to address a wide audience of all ages. The Narrator, voiced by Jason Grasl (Blackfeet), uses repetition, allowing for the scenarios to heighten and the jokes to stack upon one another.
The writing builds on the simplicity of the rhetoric and allows the understanding of the audience to progressively agree in motion with what is being argued. If someone agrees that it wouldn’t be acceptable to wear traditional outfits if they aren’t Native, they could logically understand and believe it is unacceptable to use Native caricatures as sports team mascots.
EXCELLENT ANIMATION
While the topic of appropriation remains serious, the animation in the short maintains a light-hearted tone. The viewer can tell that the creators were having fun with the premise, down to the self-assured shimmy that the main character is dancing while wearing the “traditional clothing” of a bear. With warm oranges and bright blues, the animation stakes a claim in the part of the brain that fondly remembers Saturday morning cartoons (which clashes hilariously with the consistent bear mauling).
UNPACKING THE DISCLAIMER
The final frame before the credits reads “No white guys were harmed in the making of this short.” While a fun twist of the usual disclaimer that might accompany a commercial or a feature film, this message is rooted in the sad reality that when confronted with their actions, many choose rage over personal reflection.
This animated short film is an opportunity for Joey Clift to comedically address the ridiculous entitlement of people who believe that Native culture is a fad for them to consume. As an exhibit of a rising comic, Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear entertains and welcomes us to laugh along. Hopefully, perhaps, some in the audience will also take the opportunity to learn and be more attentive of the damage these acts of appropriation can inflict.
Do you think animation can be a useful tool to discuss and confront serious topics and issues? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Click here to watch: Telling People You’re Native American When You’re Not Native Is A Lot Like Telling A Bear You’re A Bear When You’re Not A Bear
