The Modern Native American Story | Eric Hernandez | TEDxUCIrvine

TEDx Talks

30 Jun 202312:01

Summary

TLDRThe speaker, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, shares his struggle with cultural identity and the fear of judgment that initially prevented him from showcasing his traditional hoop dance at a school cultural festival. Overcoming his fears, he performs the dance, challenging stereotypes and educating his peers about modern Native Americans. His performance not only changes perceptions but also inspires others to share their heritage. The narrative culminates with his unexpected opportunity to join Cirque du Soleil as a lead hoop dancer, touring the world and embracing diverse cultures, until the pandemic ends his run. Despite losing his job, he remains committed to sharing his story and promoting cultural diversity.

Takeaways

🪶 The speaker struggled with stereotypes about Native Americans, making it difficult to embrace his identity.
🏫 At 14, he hesitated to perform his traditional hoop dance at his school’s cultural festival due to fear of judgment.
🌿 The hoop dance, taught by his Uncle Terry, is a traditional healing ceremony symbolizing the journey through life and the harmony of nature.
😟 The speaker initially chose not to participate in the festival, fearing his classmates wouldn't understand his heritage.
🌍 He realized the importance of educating others about Native Americans and that they are still present today, not just a part of the past.
🕺 The next day, he performed his hoop dance at the festival, breaking stereotypes and showing what a modern Native American looks like.
📸 His performance was featured in the school newspaper, inspiring more students to share their heritage in future festivals.
🎪 He later joined Cirque du Soleil as their lead hoop dancer, performing globally and embracing cultural diversity backstage.
🚨 His journey with Cirque du Soleil ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he continued to share his story and inspire others.
🌟 The speaker encourages everyone to embrace their heritage, share their culture, and inspire others by celebrating diversity and unique experiences.

Q & A

What challenges did the speaker face when deciding whether to perform the hoop dance at the school cultural festival?
-The speaker struggled with the fear of being judged or misunderstood by his classmates. He worried they would not see him as a 'real' Native American due to misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Native Americans.
What is the significance of the hoop dance in Native American culture, according to the speaker?
-The hoop dance is a traditional healing ceremony that emphasizes grace, agility, beauty, and harmony with the natural world. Each hoop passed through the body is believed to add time to one's life, and the dance tells a story of life and the interconnectedness of plants, animals, and humans.
Why did the speaker initially choose not to volunteer for the cultural festival?
-The speaker feared that his classmates, influenced by stereotypes from history books and Hollywood, would not understand or appreciate his Native heritage and would expect him to conform to their preconceived notions of what a Native American should be.
What realization did the speaker come to the night before the cultural festival?
-The speaker realized that he had an obligation to educate his classmates about Native Americans, not as relics of the past, but as a living culture that continues today. He recognized that this was an opportunity to break down stereotypes and misconceptions.
What impact did the speaker's performance at the cultural festival have on his classmates and school?
-The performance inspired his classmates and led to a greater appreciation of cultural diversity. The following year, the cultural festival expanded to a three-day event due to an increase in students wanting to share their heritage, demonstrating the speaker's influence.
How did the speaker's hoop dance skills lead to an unexpected opportunity later in life?
-The speaker was contacted by Cirque du Soleil, which invited him to be their lead hoop dancer in the show 'Totem.' This opportunity allowed him to perform over 2,500 shows in 19 countries and become part of a culturally diverse group of artists.
What challenge did the speaker face during his time with Cirque du Soleil, and how did he overcome it?
-The speaker's journey with Cirque du Soleil ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite losing his job, he refused to be defeated and continued to share his story and culture, ultimately leading him to speak on the TEDx stage.
What message does the speaker convey about embracing one's identity and heritage?
-The speaker encourages people to embrace their identity, heritage, and passions, as doing so allows them to educate and inspire others. He emphasizes that sharing unique experiences and perspectives can contribute to a world where diversity is celebrated.
What does the speaker highlight about stereotypes and the portrayal of Native Americans in mainstream culture?
-The speaker points out that stereotypes, particularly those perpetuated by history books and Hollywood, often present Native Americans as 'savages' living in teepees and wearing feathers. These stereotypes create a narrow and inaccurate image of Native Americans, which he sought to dispel through his performance.
How did the speaker's personal experiences growing up shape his view of Native American identity?
-Growing up in San Dimas, California, and being the son of a full-blooded Lumbee mother who was the first Native American to compete in Miss America, the speaker struggled with the duality of his identity. His personal experiences with stereotypes and expectations influenced his desire to both educate others and embrace his heritage fully.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Overcoming Stereotypes Through Hoop Dance

The speaker, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, shares their struggle with identity and the fear of judgment due to misconceptions about Native Americans. At 14, they were invited to perform at a school cultural festival but hesitated due to the worry of being misunderstood. The speaker's Uncle Terry had taught them a traditional healing ceremony called the Hoop Dance, which was about grace and beauty, not aggression. The speaker realized they had an obligation to educate their classmates about the reality of modern Native Americans and decided to perform the Hoop Dance at the festival, wearing a jacket to hide their regalia initially. This performance was pivotal in breaking down stereotypes and showing a different side of Native American culture.

05:02

🌐 Inspiring Others Through Cultural Expression

After the speaker's performance at the cultural festival, they were surprised to find themselves on the cover of the school newspaper, humorously titled 'Lord of the Rings'. The success of their performance led to the expansion of the cultural festival to a three-day event, indicating a significant impact on their school community. The speaker's dance continued to inspire, eventually catching the attention of Cirque du Soleil, who invited them to be the lead hoop dancer in their show 'Totem'. This opportunity allowed the speaker to perform over 2500 shows across 19 countries, fostering a sense of family among the diverse performers and emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange.

10:02

🌟 Embracing Challenges and Sharing Culture

The speaker discusses the challenge of losing their job with Cirque du Soleil due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this setback, they remained committed to sharing their culture and story. They took to the TEDx stage to inspire others to embrace their own identities and heritage, challenging the audience to consider times they may have held back from expressing their true selves. The speaker encourages everyone to share their stories and cultures to create a world that celebrates diversity and empowers individuals to share their unique experiences.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Native Americans

Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of the United States, with a rich history and cultural heritage that predates the arrival of European settlers. In the video, the speaker grapples with misconceptions about Native Americans, such as being perceived as a 'half-naked TP living bow narrow hunting feather and fringe wearing savage', which reflects the stereotypes perpetuated by history books and Hollywood. The speaker's identity as a member of the Lumbee Tribe and their decision to perform the hoop dance is a direct challenge to these stereotypes, aiming to educate and inform others about the contemporary existence and diversity of Native American culture.

💡Hoop dance

The hoop dance is a traditional and sacred dance of many Native American tribes, including the Lumbee, performed with hoops that represent elements of life and nature. In the script, the hoop dance is described as a 'healing ceremony' that embodies grace, beauty, agility, and dexterity. The speaker's Uncle Terry teaches them this dance, which becomes a vehicle for the speaker to connect with their heritage and to educate others about Native American culture beyond the stereotypes.

💡Cultural Festival

A Cultural Festival is an event that celebrates the diversity of cultures through various forms of expression such as dance, music, food, and attire. In the video, the school's cultural festival serves as a pivotal moment for the speaker to showcase their Native American heritage by performing the hoop dance. This event is significant as it allows the speaker to challenge misconceptions and educate their classmates about the ongoing presence and contributions of Native Americans in contemporary society.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group of people. The video discusses how stereotypes about Native Americans, such as the image of a 'half-naked TP living bow narrow hunting feather and fringe wearing savage', have made it difficult for the speaker to take pride in their heritage. By performing the hoop dance, the speaker aims to break these stereotypes and show that Native Americans are not just historical figures but living, modern individuals.

💡Lumbee Tribe

The Lumbee Tribe is a Native American tribe primarily residing in North Carolina. The speaker identifies as a member of the Lumbee Tribe, which adds a personal and specific context to their narrative about Native American identity. The Lumbee Tribe's presence in the video underscores the diversity within the broader category of Native Americans and the importance of recognizing different tribal affiliations and cultures.

💡Miss America pageant

The Miss America pageant is a long-standing beauty competition in the United States. The speaker mentions that their mother was the first-ever Native American to compete in the Miss America pageant as Miss Utah, contestant number 28. This detail is significant as it highlights the achievements of Native Americans in mainstream American society and serves as an inspiration for the speaker to embrace their heritage.

💡Conformity

Conformity refers to the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms. In the script, the speaker contemplates conforming to mainstream expectations by practicing a 'Warrior face' to meet the perceived expectations of their peers. However, they ultimately reject conformity in favor of embracing their unique identity and heritage, which is a central theme of the video.

💡Healing ceremony

A healing ceremony is a ritual intended to promote emotional, spiritual, or physical well-being. The hoop dance is described as a healing ceremony in the video, emphasizing its cultural and spiritual significance beyond mere performance art. This concept is integral to the speaker's understanding of their heritage and their decision to share it with others.

💡Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil is a renowned Canadian entertainment company known for its innovative circus performances. The speaker is invited to be the lead hoop dancer in Cirque du Soleil's show 'Totem', which is a significant milestone in their career and a validation of their talent and cultural heritage. This opportunity allows the speaker to share Native American culture with a global audience, further emphasizing the theme of embracing and sharing one's heritage.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is. The video's narrative revolves around the speaker's struggle with their identity as a Native American and their decision to embrace it fully. The speaker challenges the audience to reflect on times they may have held back from embracing their own identity and encourages them to be proud of who they are, which is a central message of empowerment and self-acceptance.

💡Diversity

Diversity encompasses the variety of differences among people, including race, ethnicity, culture, and background. The video promotes the celebration of diversity and the sharing of unique experiences and perspectives. The speaker's experience with Cirque du Soleil, where 17 different languages were spoken, exemplifies the value of diversity and the richness it brings to personal and collective experiences.

Highlights

The speaker faced the dilemma of hiding their Native American identity due to misconceptions and stereotypes.

The Lumbee Tribe member was taught the traditional hoop dance by their Uncle Terry.

The hoop dance is a healing ceremony, not for causing harm.

The speaker initially chose not to volunteer for the cultural festival out of fear of judgment.

The misconception of Native Americans as 'half-naked' and 'savage' is a common stereotype.

The speaker's mother was a full-blooded Lumbee and the first Native American to compete in the Miss America pageant.

The realization that Native Americans are alive and not what people stereotypically think.

The decision to perform the hoop dance at the cultural festival to educate and break stereotypes.

The emotional experience of performing the hoop dance in front of classmates.

The positive reaction and the change in the school's cultural festival the following year.

The impact of sharing one's culture and heritage on inspiring others to do the same.

The unexpected opportunity to join Cirque du Soleil as a lead hoop dancer.

Performing over 2500 shows in 19 countries with Cirque du Soleil.

The importance of embracing cultural differences in a diverse performing arts environment.

The challenge of losing the job at Cirque du Soleil due to COVID-19.

The speaker's determination to continue sharing their culture despite setbacks.

The call to action for everyone to embrace their identity and share their story.

The idea that everyone has a unique story and culture to share with the world.