Native American Advertising

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***No, this is not political/racial based. Just an honest, simple question.***

So this is a question I have asked myself many times and never had an answer to. As a resident of Oklahoma, I frequently see Native American casinos and museums. What is also extremely common is individual tribes advertising on TV. What I have never understood is WHY? Why are they advertising their tribe? I'm not talking about facility/service advertising, but simply "who we are" kind of commercials.

Nothing I come up with makes sense. Are they trying to show off and say "we have money to fund this TV station" or perhaps they are trying to earn respect from other tribes/outsiders? To me, these are almost recruitment-type commercials, like a "hey, we're awesome, join us" kind of thing. But it's not like average joe can just decide "hey I'm Native American now" because you can't just walk in. There is so much documentation and proof to be shown. So much that a lot of people who DO meet those requirements trip over the hurdles of applying and just don't bother.

(I would also ask where the money to fund said advertisements comes from, as I feel it would be relevant to my question. But, I feel that would be getting into politics...)

Even using Google, I come up with nothing that answers WHY. Any ideas?
***Please, keep this thread clean and non-political as intended***
 
Funding probably comes from casino operations. They choose to blow their own horn for the same reason most of us do I'd imagine.
Reasons are many results vary.

Smoky
 
Originally Posted By: tony1679
***Please, keep this thread clean and non-political as intended***


What's the big deal about a football team being called the Red Skins ?
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I'm from OK so I know the commercials you speak of.

I think the case, at least for the Chickasaws and Choctaws is they want to advertise their tribe. Things have come a long way since the pre casino era for them and they are just showing that they have grown and become good for the state.

The casinos are obviously a big part of their success but I know at least in the case of the Chickasaws that they are almost a conglomerate in terms of business interests. One area that people don't know about is the oil field operations business they run. I also have a friend who works for their IT operations.

I think it won't be long before we see the tribes going heavy on luxury resort tourism as well. WinStar has already become a massive resort in the middle of nowhere and the Choctaw Durant casino easily rivals anything in Vegas. Let's not forget that many famous music acts come to the state because the casinos pay to host them.

Part of me is glad to see them do well. The Trail of Tears was a disgrace and even today the tribes seem overlooked in terms of social issues.
 
Now I'd like to see examples of these ads.

Hmmm....it doesn't seem to be such a simple question now.

I like the "money coming from the casinos" theory but I apply that to almost all Native American income.

Maybe they're reaching out because too many people have taken them for other groups (Mexicans or Puerto Ricans).

Maybe a "high school caliber" drum beater is in charge of the ad campaign and there's no thoughtful focus.

Also, if some part of the above is true, there might be a "fadiness" to these campaigns and you'll see them taper off.

Just guessing....I grew up only seeing the occasional Mohawk Indian in New York State. Many were watered down with French Canadian blood and other white people. That kind of mix (for the white people and the ndians) is what was around the region.

I spoke to a few and their concerns were always the same as mine. Their Indianness never came up.
 
Not sure of the OK ads since I've never seen or heard on. The Seminoles do a little here. It's all about the casinos and how much money they're making the state. I've never seen an ad pushing Seminole lifestyle or anything.
 
Originally Posted By: Kira

Just guessing....I grew up only seeing the occasional Mohawk Indian in New York State. Many were watered down with French Canadian blood and other white people. That kind of mix (for the white people and the ndians) is what was around the region.

I spoke to a few and their concerns were always the same as mine. Their Indianness never came up.


Most of the Anishinaabeg (Algonquins) are pretty low key in Ontario too, but all groups are active to various degrees to protect their legal treaty rights. The Mohawks in Ontario are more militant...

I know very little about treaty rights in the U.S. - perhaps the advertising is related? IDK...
 
Here are a few examples:





At least in OK, the tribes hold a very sovereign status and play a pretty big role in local government. In the case of the casinos, I believe all Class 3 gaming (random number generator slots, table games) sends a portion of the revenue to the state. Class 2 games (bingo, bingo driven slots) are 100% to the tribe.

Just a theory of mine, but you'll see the casinos swap in or swap out class 2 and class 3 games depending on the political climate. If the state govt is being good to them, pop in some more class 3 machines. If they're getting shafted, pop in some class 2s.
 
Originally Posted By: tony1679
..... To me, these are almost recruitment-type commercials, like a "hey, we're awesome, join us" kind of thing. But it's not like average joe can just decide "hey I'm Native American now" because you can't just walk in. .....


Well, we've hit the point where feelings trumps genetics, so it's probaly only a matter of time before some pale face feels the yearnings of nativism and wants to walk in, get a roll number, and make the tribes socially just. They are legally quasi sovereign nations so the legal dynamics will be interesting.

I live on the border and haven't seen the commercials you're talking about, but I don't watch a lot of television. My old farm is now an indian casino and entertainment complex so I've dealt with tribes a lot. It was a high ranking tribe memeber that taught me the distinction between red indians and blue indians. I don't think they're as sensitive about stuff as the SJW types make them out to be.
 
There's an indian owned Casino in Connecticut which shares profits with "offical" members of the tribe. Profits are down, so they are "unindianing" tribe members to keep the share amount up for those who do have the "proper" indian political connections.
 
I would guess a combination of education and marketing image. No different than Got Milk or Black history month. Each group wants to be recognized.
 
I think the commercials are for the purposes of marketing, acceptance, and pride.

It allows others to know of the contributions and relevance they have.
 
I've been inside an Indian Casino once, the amount of cigarette some drove me away.

They advertise just like your state Lottery Dept advertise on TV.
 
Same thing as when the Mormons used to advertise themselves when Mitt was running for presidency. Increase awareness and dispel myths about them.
 
Originally Posted By: tony1679
What is also extremely common is individual tribes advertising on TV. What I have never understood is WHY? Why are they advertising their tribe? I'm not talking about facility/service advertising, but simply "who we are" kind of commercials.


First, why do you care? If they want to spend their tribal funds on television ads, then it's their business. Second, find something better to do with your time than sit around watching television commercials.
 
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