Podcast Summary: "Johnny Depp and the Hollywood Phonies" | The Copernic Affair | Canadaland Investigates
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Introduction: The Phenomenon of Pretendians in Hollywood
In the episode titled "Johnny Depp and the Hollywood Phonies," hosts Robert Jago and Angel Ellis delve into the troubling history of non-Native actors portraying Native Americans in Hollywood—a phenomenon they term "Pretendians." This practice has not only perpetuated stereotypes but also marginalized authentic Native voices in the film industry.
Iron Eyes Cody: The Archetypal Pretendian
Background and Career: Iron Eyes Cody, arguably the most recognizable Pretendian, serves as a primary focus in the discussion. Born Espera Oscar de Cortes in Louisiana to Italian immigrant parents, Cody crafted a Native American persona that he maintained throughout his life.
Notable Quotes:
- Robert Jago [05:20]: "I'm Robert Jago. I'm a writer and journalist from the Kwantlen First Nation and Nooksack Indian tribe."
- Angel Ellis [06:00]: "He was really trying to be Native this whole time. And the weird part of it is, he actually married a real native woman and she had children, and he adopted actual native kids."
Impact on Stereotypes: Cody adeptly fit Hollywood's image of a Native American with his "chiseled face" and "dark hair," often seen in traditional attire. His seamless integration into predominantly white roles reinforced the notion that authentic Native features were secondary to stereotypes crafted for cinematic appeal.
Notable Quote:
- Angel Ellis [12:09]: "He did it so much that his acting merged into his real life. He just kind of morphed into presenting himself as Native every day."
Sasheen Littlefeather: A Symbolic Deception
The 1973 Academy Awards Incident: Sasheen Littlefeather became a household name when she appeared on stage at the 1973 Academy Awards to decline Marlon Brando’s Best Actor award on behalf of the Native American community. Her actions were lauded as a significant victory for the American Indian movement.
Revelation of Her Heritage: Years later, it was uncovered that Littlefeather was not Native American but of Mexican descent. This revelation stirred controversy and highlighted the extent of deceit within the Pretendian phenomenon.
Notable Quotes:
- Robert Jago [21:08]: "What I did at the Academy Awards affected the outcome of what happened at Wounded Knee in 1973."
- Angel Ellis [24:55]: "And I'm half Indian and half savage. Half Indian and half white."
Consequences and Community Reaction: Littlefeather’s false claims undermined genuine Native advocacy and fostered mistrust within the community. Her actions sparked debates about authenticity and the ethical implications of pretending to belong to a marginalized group.
Johnny Depp: The Modern-Day Pretendian
Claiming Native Ancestry: Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Tonto in "The Lone Ranger" reignited discussions about Pretendians. Depp publicly claimed Native ancestry, stating familial ties to Cherokee or Creek tribes during interviews in the early 2000s.
Adoption Controversy: Amidst the movie’s promotion, Depp was "adopted" by a Comanche woman, LaDonna Harris, further blurring the lines of his claimed heritage. However, investigations revealed that Depp holds no enrollment or recognized ties to any Native tribe.
Notable Quotes:
- Angel Ellis [32:11]: "I can feel it."
- Robert Jago [32:42]: "Don’t believe Johnny is native at all."
Commercial Exploitation: Depp capitalized on his Pretendian persona by signing a $20 million deal with Dior for an Indian-themed perfume named "Sauvage." The campaign incorporated stereotypical Native imagery, exacerbating concerns about cultural appropriation.
Notable Quotes:
- Robert Jago [37:16]: "So I don't know a single place in the world where I, as an actual Native, can go and say a terrible racist word and make $20 million from it. And Johnny Depp did that with this Sauvage campaign."
- Angel Ellis [37:32]: "Johnny Depp has been like laying the tracks for his Indian train."
Community Response: Reactions within the Comanche community were mixed. While some viewed Depp’s adoption with skepticism, others remained indifferent or mildly supportive. However, official statements from the Comanche Tribal Citizenship Office confirmed that Depp is not an enrolled member.
Notable Quote:
- Angel Ellis [35:35]: "Our press went ahead and just assumed that if he was adopted by a Comanche woman, that meant he was now a member of the tribe."
Analyzing the Legacy and Contemporary Implications
Perpetuation of Stereotypes: The episode illustrates how Pretendians have historically perpetuated harmful stereotypes, reinforcing misconceptions about Native American identities and cultures.
Reasons Behind Pretending: Hosts explore motivations such as career advancement, fame, and the romanticization of Native identities as a form of escape from personal or societal discrimination.
Impact on Native Communities: The deceitful portrayal by Pretendians has had profound effects on actual Native communities, including misrepresentation, erosion of cultural authenticity, and challenges in fostering genuine representation in media.
Progress and Hope: Despite the setbacks caused by Pretendians, there is a silver lining with the emergence of authentic indigenous creators like Sterling Harjo and Jeff Barnaby directing films and television shows that genuinely represent Native experiences.
Notable Quotes:
- Robert Jago [37:56]: "Maybe he's, like, famously pretending. But what is weird and interesting is during the promotion of the Lone Ranger, he gets adopted by a Comanche woman named LaDonna Harris."
- Angel Ellis [38:08]: "I watched Lily Gladstone and Fancy Dance, and it was one of the most beautiful films I've seen in my life."
Conclusion: Moving Towards Authentic Representation
The episode concludes with a hopeful outlook, emphasizing the importance of authentic Native voices in media. While the legacy of Pretendians has left lasting scars, the rise of genuine indigenous storytellers marks a significant step toward accurate and respectful representation.
Final Remarks:
- Robert Jago [39:03]: "We have to keep that up. Just one newspaper found 30,000 thousand lies or falsehoods or misleading statements during his last term."
- Angel Ellis [38:52]: "But some things never change. Most people know Lily Gladstone from the movie Killers of the Flower Moon, a movie all about Native Americans."
Impact and Takeaways
- Awareness: Understanding the historical context and ongoing issues related to Pretendians is crucial for fostering authentic representation.
- Advocacy: Supporting indigenous creators and holding media accountable can help dismantle harmful stereotypes.
- Education: Educating audiences about the consequences of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation encourages more respectful and accurate portrayals of Native communities.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Angel Ellis [00:11]: “I really identified with West Duty. I was like, hell, yeah, kidnap people. Do what you got to do, friend.”
- Robert Jago [14:06]: “I don't call a poisonous snake my friend on account of he don't bite me. Snakes is snakes.”
- Angel Ellis [25:10]: “So Hollywood kind of has this, like, cycle, right? Like, first the Indians were the villains...”
- Robert Jago [29:05]: “Disgusting. And there is Johnny Depp in Brown Face.”
- Angel Ellis [36:21]: “Starts in la, in downtown la. And there’s Johnny Depp…”
Final Thoughts
"Johnny Depp and the Hollywood Phonies" serves as a critical examination of the entrenched issues surrounding Native American representation in Hollywood. By highlighting the stories of figures like Iron Eyes Cody, Sasheen Littlefeather, and Johnny Depp, Canadaland Investigates not only exposes the deceit inherent in the Pretendian phenomenon but also champions the need for authentic representation moving forward.
For those interested in exploring more about this topic and similar investigative stories, supporting Canadaland through subscribing, rating, and reviewing their podcasts is encouraged to amplify these important discussions.