Monday, October 29, 2007

Gramm Greenn

I was born on June 22,1952 on the Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken. I am a full blooded Oneida. I grew up in Hamilton, Ontario as a young adult. I had never considered acting in my youth however, while I was an audio technician for rock bands, I came into contact with the entertainment industry and it became interesting to me. I graduated from the Centre for Indigenous Thatres Native Theatre School Program in 1972. My favorite kind of roles to act in are drama, and comedy. One of my best acting jobs was in the movie Dances With Wolves. I was nominated for an Academy Award. I like choosing roles that allow me to be featured showing off my Native American heritage because I am very proud of it.
The issue regarding the UND mascot is very troubling to me. I just want everyone to be at peace with each other, however I don't support the current mascot. It's upsetting to me because I am a man who is very proud of my heritage and seeing another tribe treated that way is just uncalled for. I believe that the UND mascot should be reevaluated and changed to something else.

14 comments:

sarah said...

i completley agree with your stand on this situtation. We, as a tribe need to stand up and let people know that we are truly offended by this mascot. I think that they don't understand what we feel and they are being inconsiderate of our feelings. We need to persuade other tribe members to feel this same way. How do you think we can go about this??
-clyde bellecourt

knelson said...

I agree with your post and what Clyde wrote as well. I think that the mascot is extremely offensive and uncalled for. I think that it shouldn't be a problem to change the mascot.

-Louise Erdrich (Jury Member)

megan said...
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megan said...

I think that the mascot should stay. It honestly isnt meant to hurt anyone. It shows pride in the native american culture and I dont think that this issue should be this big of a deal.If you really want it to change then you should decide what else it should be called?? its been that name for a long time and I think people who go there would be upset if the tradition was gone.

Sincerly,
Dan Snidyr

brittany said...

Cathy Kersten
I don't think that the UND mascot is offensive it is a picture of a strong proud Native American.The mascot has been around for 75 years and the logo was designed by a Native American(Startribune).I think the mascot should stay, it is a logo of a proud Sioux warrior.

Shelly4thHour said...

Dear Gramm Green
I am confused on your point of veiw to me you said the kids shouldnt put up such a fuss, but your statement says that the mascot needs to change

Edin Hayden

Ellie said...

Having the mascot that UND has is not meant to single out a certain group of people. It is a part of North Dakota's heritage and is honoring the Sioux tribe. It is not in any way being offensive to the Native American tribe.

Project Success said...

Honestly Gramm, how could YOU get nominated for an Oscar? Atleast im not the one embarrassing myself in front of millions of people. First off, it is not meant to be offensive to the Redskins. Second, you should be damn proud that a school even though of honoring your name. Lastly, you can see my jeans.

Wes Hayden

Project Success said...

You all are the same to me anyways. Go get a life, you wish I wasnt wearing jeans.

DanceItOut said...

Trishayshay-

I just dont understand how this mascot has been this way for so long but now all of a sudden this is getting press and everyone is making a big deal out of it. When the only people making a big deal out of it are the students who go to these schools when if they didnt like it they shouldn't have gone there.
david hackstoll

Breezy said...

Gramm Greenn,
First off the spelling of your last name rocks! I mean come on two 'e's, how cool is that. But in other words, i agree that we should all be at peace with each other and let this go over as planned. As the debate goes on, it makes me realize more and more that Native Americans need to be treated with respect and not shown as some man-killing people. Which is why the mascot should be changed and also that we need to bring ourselves more respect in the world.
~Myra Peterson

Breezy said...

ok so in my last comment i meant two 'n's

Mackin said...
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Mackin said...

I am an editor at UND! I am up close and personal with the students, every day. I am one! No one is getting hurt. This is silly, there aren't assaults, there are no Indians that are saying they are getting physical hurt. Where I come from, people were thick skinned. It is important for Indians not to let every little thing offend them! They can always find SOMETHING that could be misconstrued. But this is a waste of energy to be offended about this, because no one meant for anyone to get hurt. Indians just need to suck it up and acknowledge that it's not a big deal! It's just. a. mascot.