Native Voices Presents: The New Adventures of Super Indian

When I think of humor and resiliency, Arigon Starr always comes to mind. Her laughter is infectious, her stories are better than any ab workout, and she created a character that was lacking during my childhood: Super Indian. I have always loved superheroes. They exemplify the qualities we should strive for and they fight for the greater good. I have longed for a Native superhero, to see someone like me doing extraordinary things while facing adversity. Arigon Starr has done that with comedy and grace, shining the light on cultural appropriation, identity, and repatriation, among other issues within Native America. Like many of you, I have not set foot in a theater in over a year. While I miss the stage, I also miss you, the audience. The hush as the lights go down. The communal laughs or gasps during the show. For that moment, we are on a journey together, witnessing a story that will never be told the same way again (try as we might!). Although the theater may be closed, the stories are still being told. Virtual engagement will never replace the magic of live theatre, but it allows access we have never had before. Geography is no longer an issue. Many Native communities across the country can see plays written by and performed by Natives, some for the first time! In fact, we have more audience members virtually than actual seats in our theater. We still have community. During much of this pandemic and shelter-in-place, I have had the opportunity to work remotely from my family home in Oklahoma. This year brought into clear focus what I value and what is a priority. Moments like this make one contemplative. I thought of my Cherokee ancestors surviving the Trail of Tears, being forcibly removed to a strange land, loved ones dying, and the constant negotiating of the unknown. I asked my father, an “old speaker” of the Cherokee language, what he thought attributed to our resilience. He smiled and said, “Our humor.” If I were to ask most people what first comes to mind when I say “Native American,” few would say anything about our sense of humor. But we are a humorous bunch. Attend a gathering and you will hear the laughter of children, elders, and all those in between. Humor has sustained us through the worst of times, and it continues to help us through these challenging times. If we ever needed a superhero, it is now. And so we are delighted to present The New Adventures of Super Indian via three action-filled and hilarious audio adventures. I hope the humor and the community of Leaning Oak Reservation provide you comfort and some laughter during these times. Let Super Indian remind all of us that we are stronger than we think, braver than we know, and more powerful when we work together.

Artistic Director of Native Voices at the Autry

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