Councilman Bacon’s haudenosaunee name is in honor of his uncle, Lorenzo Nichols. Bacon is an economic developer in Indian Country, a Councilperson for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, and a member of the Choctaw Nation.
“Role models and representation that showcase the best of who we are is critical to self-worth and perceived value. The problem with Indian stereotypes from my perspective as a Native is rooted in wanting more for my people and recognizing we are still reeling from multi-generational trauma, historic pain, and even anger. All peoples desire success but what is considered success to my people? If you ask a child, success is being like their favorite athlete, pop star, or actor. How does this shape Indigenous children when images of successful icons are white, black, or any color but brown?
The problem with stereotypes is the “Indian Problem.” The caricatures are misrepresentations that result in wealth for broader society but damage our children. Native children like all children are drawn to celebrity personas and popularized images. Yet, there is no accurate Native representation in sports, entertainment, politics, or executive-level careers.
When our children see characterizations that promote our people with false images it distorts their self-image and damages the psyche that becomes internalized. As a cross-cultural society, we must ask why Indigenous and non-Indigenous children are not more aware of our many icons like Nota Begay, Adam Beach, Wendell Long, Walter EchoHawk, or John Herrington. Accurate representation in esteemed fields is critical for our youth but that does not mean iconic representatives must be famous or wealthy. Some of our most revered stars are in our communities and that is a healthy grounding for children from all backgrounds.
Native youth not only have to overcome the devastating effects of internalized racism but the impact of negative stereotypes. Both leave lasting impressions on our children. In the small Southeastern town in Oklahoma where I grew up racism is prominent and becomes internalized which deepens the damage to our children. As a member of one of the Five Southeastern Nations and of two of the tribes from the Great Iroquoian Confederacy my responsibility as a leader is to ensure healthy understandings of who we are so that our beautiful black-haired browned-eyed girls and boys know they are equal to the barrage of blond-haired blue-eyed images that are portrayed as a success while we are portrayed as cartoons.”
