Shawn Michael Perry
Shawn Michael Perry
Shawn Perry. Actor, musician, advocate for youth. Last November
Whisper n Thunder had the true honor of interviewing this man who cares deeply for his craft, but so much more so for all humanity.
Kind, engaging, and compassionate, enjoy this glimpse of
the San Diego born, L.A. based gifted artist.
WNT: Welcome Shawn. You are a member of both the advocate and entertainment communities. What responsibilities do you feel you have in that capacity, but particularly as a Native American?
SMP: I think if my notoriety can help others, in whatever that may be, music, education… I would want them to hear a message of treating people fairly and with respect, especially in the school setting, to be a contributor to society. I want to be a human that tries to be a good dad, a good example. I try not to juggle my moral values being in this business, especially. There’s always a lot to consider. At the end of the day, you never know when your star is going to fade. The longer outlook is how we set the example. For me, this just happens to the field I’m in.
WNT: As a Native artist, what do you see as your greatest contribution to date?
SMP: I think again back to creating the Music of the Americas, outfitting youth with musical instruments, which gives them insight and hope when it comes to working out their own problems. The commercial I just did for the Ad Council personifies who I am and what I believe in. Morally and spiritually that commercial has been fulfilling.
I was in a play on the east coast about the Indians’ impact on the Declaration of Independence. There were four people who without their influence the Declaration might not have been written. The play is entitled So Far From Scioto, in Williamsburg, VA.
WNT: Sometimes people in the entertainment industry see their role as one of lifting social justice issues. How do you feel about criticism levied against entertainers who choose to get involved?
SMP: It goes with the territory. Whatever their merit is in a given issue, if you have that knowledge and you choose to put it out there, you can expect such criticism. Pundits who comment on how people react to things… everyone is going to have an opinion. The question is who is really doing the change? To be a champion of an issue, the main criteria you need – know the issue you’re trying to champion. NOT because it’s the flavor of the month, but because you care about it and you’re going to go the distance with that. Some champion issues their whole life and never get recognition until after they pass away. They did it because they really cared. Contribute in the way your best suited – whether it’s a cause, an issue, an experience. Be informed – get a good basis for your opinion and do your fact finding mission. People will be out there that will want to see you trip up – you need to cross your t’s and dot your I’s.
WNT: Do you feel there are any boundaries?
SMP: I sense boundaries but those are the type of songs I would expound upon – social conscious Arlo Guthrie was a great example of getting the voice of the people out. I don’t think of this every waking moment, but when we tell our stories – whether by the greatest songs, poems, books – their close to the rhythm in our heart. Living in America and being able to express our opinions and feeling is part of being in America – and
God help us if we ever lose that.
WNT: What outstanding memories do you have that come from your work?
SMP: I was working with the Smith brothers on a movie called The Slaughter Rule and they were the directors. I grew up with them in Montana – we dreamed a lot about doing what we are doing now as adults. Their parents are famous writers and movie makers as well, so as a teen I was able to experience that vibe and that made me who I am today. In Montana years later we put this movie together and had a link with the Indian people in Montana. I was able to be the liaison between the Blackfeet people and the Smith brothers. The movie wouldn’t have been the same without the Blackfeet people. For me the best moment centered around the fact that the Blackfeet didn’t want to engage with the Hollywood vibe, I was able to be the bridge between both of these. Also, in the film we did native language with subtitles, which was a bit of a landmark at that time.
WNT: Share with our readers your thoughts about the presence of Indians in the entertainment field - its impact, importance, presence?
SMP: Impact. My mentors had great impact as does just the reality of who we are period. That’s why it is so fascinating because it can be so real – today’s reality – whether it’s the rez, politics, casino – that’s who we are today – all of it. Yet in a way,
we are becoming what we didn’t want to be; we are people of the earth who were encouraged to be documented. Who else is documented like us, its odd to me. Under the system that is set up – our rez’s fall under the Secretary of the Interior, which for those that don’t know, their responsibility is to take care of land and things that are subject to extinction – how/where’s the dialogue there! How are we properly represented? How are we using this model to govern fairly and squarely? It’s baffling.
There’s a double edged sword. The casinos give us the opportunity to perform, which brings in revenue. If the tribe is involved with that, do the people share in that wealth, do they employ their people do the economic things that we try to impress upon our people as Americans?
In terms of Native entertainers: Chief Dan George – the way he presented himself and how he moved the people along as who we are – he was exactly that same guy we saw as viewer. He was truly one of the best examples of Indian older men. Today’s example that would equate Chief Dan George – I’m not sure I can answer that. We have actors who have that kind of fame, but do they come across with that same persona – maybe actor Gary Farmer. Within George’s parts, he didn’t have to play the heavy – he was much more versatile.
Variety in parts is coming – but progress remains slow on Native themed parts and movies. I’m not complaining, but things are still few and far between – we therefore need to create our opportunities. I want to align myself with creative people who have vision. Comedy needs to be a part of the repertoire as well. Independent work is hard, and tends to have the ‘maybe’ deal attached with it. We need to be in one house where we create a variety of opportunities.
WNT: Where do you see hope today for First Nations people?
SMP: Hope is through the media. Our hope is through telling our stories, our oral tradition – which is still important to our existence as people – whether in South Dakota or South America. So many issues are common to all indigenous people. Take water pollution. That is an issue for all indigenous people. We need to tell that story. Lack of fuel, transportation, communication etc – tell the story. Rural areas – tell the story. How about getting some heat and water to my people? Those issues will always be at the forefront. Basic to human beings is water – that’s a way we can get along inter-tribally and with the government. With water rights it’s all about who’s got the water. There’s a story there.
The basic mantra is tell the story – know where you come from, and where you’re going. Embrace who you are with all your might. Our cultural stories are at the forefront – we need to use these to teach people. We need to share – we’ll gain understanding from the sharing, no matter the circumstance around the sharing.
WNT: If you could gather a group of young women together, what would your message be to them as they contemplate their future?
SMP: To always be beautiful, and what I mean by that is: the woman, gives us life. She is eternal because of that – Mother Earth. To always stay a woman, to contribute in that way as a mothers, sister, aunt, grandmother – the maternal aspect is so important to life’s rhythm as created in our lives. Don’t demean yourself, sell your life short, cheat. How the world treats women is not what I consider to be a woman.
WNT: What about young men?
SMP: If you really want to be a warrior, use that wisely and sparingly. If you have a family, be that good man that pays the bills, treats his lady with respect, shows his children he has honor, a man who won’t create havoc in the household, will not denigrate the woman. Be careful in how you express yourself. Realize that the man has his place in society and now more than ever as Americans we have to stand up and do right. The perception of who we are as America worldwide is not very good – we need to examine our reputation and show how we can lead. Be a part of America.
In terms of the gangs – fulfilling a warrior is part of who we are, but unfortunately – it’s so hard. A gang – it’s being part of a club, some type of belonging. Somewhere the attention is missing – whether at home with the father or siblings – so kids follow that crowd, that hip hop Native thing.
Who are we really when it comes to presenting images? Gangs, at the end of the day, will give you nothing but trouble. I highly suggest not getting involved. But on the rez – some kids can’t even get a ride to town, so they take the ride with the wrong person. It’s tough, it’s really tough.
We (Native American performing artists) don’t have that level of excellence in the arts in terms of presence yet – to exert that kind of influence on young people (as opposed to black hip hop artists). Why are the Indian Grammy winners not on stage? That one single moment would change things for Indian music, and it just didn’t happen. The Nammys are there but they don’t get the same publicity, and in general levels of sales aren’t the same which would allow the commercial media exposure. There’s not enough market share. If the tribes and casinos would get behind an artist or actor it would be incredibly helpful.
You know – we didn’t need to be ‘discovered’. We’re here – so think about that.
WNT: What does the future hold for you?
SMP: Definitely have new movie/television projects for 2011. Next year will be the pinnacle year for change for Native Americans. Personally I would love to do a sit com of some sorts. Another record or presentation and possibly a book.
WNT: Fifty years from now, what's the legacy you will have given the people?
SMP: To have taught our generations that we are an intricate part of the world; we are a part of that the larger size of the world and the smaller size of the world. Our understanding of the world, our caretaking of that world, gives our future generations the opportunity to take our dreams and aspirations and make them into reality.
We don’t have anyone to lead – I’m not saying I’m that guy – but we don’t have anybody leading us anywhere and we sorely need it. First Americans – one day wouldn’t it be nice to see one of us become president or someone of influence to do the right thing. I know we have it in us. I have to fight injustice everyday – I refuse to be like others who walk the wrong way – if I’m broke, or I don’t get a part or an award, then so be it. If I can hold my head up and show others – that’s who I want to be, yeah. Sincerity and truth and doing the right thing goes a long way. What I do just gets the message out.
Images Courtesy of Shawn Michael Perry All Rights Reserved
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