Irene Bedard-Pocohantas

Irene Bedard as Pocahontas:

Irene Bedard is most commonly known for her role as the voice of Pocahontas in the 1995 animated film. Irene has played the character of Native Americans in many other films. She can be seen in the films; “Into the West,” “Tree of Life” and “Smoke Signals.” She is an award-winning actress, whose voice is heard by millions. Her role as a Native American in these films cause her to be a very influential person, with an opinion towards Native American culture and identity, and sensitivity towards it. For instance she spoke up about Trumps comments towards U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Trump began to target Elizabeth Warren during his campaign by calling her Pocahontas. This was because in the past Warren had stated that she had American Indian heritage on application forms when she was seeking employment in academia. Trump mockingly and repetitively called her “that fake Indian” and Pocahontas. These comments brought anger to Natives because of his tone and the way he represented Pocahontas when calling Elizabeth these names. In an article by “Native News Online.net” Irene Bedard brings up the fact that Trump doesn’t have great history with Native Americans. For example, he once went to Capitol Hill and made a statement that if Native Americans are involved, so is organized crime. The voice of Pocahontas was not upset with Warren claiming American Indian heritage, what she was concerned with was Trump using Pocahontas in his name-calling. Bedard brings up the topic of appropriation when mentioning how Elizabeth claimed she had Native American heritage, she states “…appropriation is a whole other can of worms. But we are talking about the presidency.  And this is not the appropriate discourse the leader of the leader of the ‘free world.” In this statement it is evident that she does not agree with the president, and she believes the comments Trump makes portray the way he leads the country. Irene Bedards remarks towards the issue of Trumps “name- calling”, reminds one to be aware of cultural appropriation, and to be sensitive to the way you may use cultural topics. It can also remind one to think about what you say before you say it and realize how it might affect someone else, and make them feel.
Irene Bedard in Disneys "Pocahontas"
 
Irene Bedard

Notes:

  • Irene Bedard:
    • Native American actress
    •  played many Native American characters in variety films
    • best known for voice role as character in the 1995 animated film Pocahontas
    • born: July 22, 1967 (age 50)
  • "Some people think I’m the Native American Barbie, then people know I’m not just doing this because I want to see my face all over the place.”
  • 'American Indian actors are pretty much typecast,” observes Dan Sackheim, director of the upcoming telefilm Grand Avenue, which stars Bedard. ”If anyone stands a chance of breaking from that mold, Irene does. She has a certain level of grace and simplicity in her acting, a quality that leaps off the screen.”'

  • U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D – Massachusetts) became vocal critic of Donald Trump’s race to White House
    • Trump began to mock her by calling her “that fake Indian” or then Pocahontas
      • feels she's vulnerable because used American Indian heritage on application forms when seeking employment in academia years ago
      • brings ire when says Pocahontas and for what Pocahontas represents
  • American Indian women three times more likely be subjected to domestic and sexual violence than others
  • Irene Bedard 
    • critics trump
    • voice heard by millions-was when played Pocahontas’ character in Disney’s 1995 blockbuster animated film, “Pocahontas.”
    •  award-winning actress
    • also known for roles in “Into the West,” “Tree of Life” and “Smoke Signals.”
    • "To Bedard, the fact Trump uses Warren’s claiming of American Indian heritage as a classic misdirect."
    • not overly concerned about Warren claiming American Indian heritage
    • about trump Trump using Pocahontas in his name-calling
  •  Trump doesn’t have great history with Native America
    • went to Capitol Hill and stated once Native Americans are involved, so is organized crime
  • Bedard: president of the Sleeping Lady Films, and spoke with Native News Online
  • “It’s not that I don’t care about Elizabeth Warren and what she did. I give to her that at least she respects Native American people and causes and women. It’s just that that isn’t the issue at hand. "- bedard
  • "Believe me, appropriation is a whole other can of worms. But we are talking about the presidency.  And this is not the appropriate discourse the leader of the leader of the ‘free world.'”
  • Irene believes Trump is most appalling and insulting presidential candidate in history
  • According to Bedard, racism, xenophobia and misogyny are markings of Trump’s leadership style
  • “It is truly perplexing to me that the American public does not see the dangers inherent in this type of rhetoric. A leader has to have the wisdom to not resort to name calling and get to the brass tacks of building bridges…not walls,” - Bedard 

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