Krii Black, the wife of a candidate running for La Plata County commissioner, is being criticized for culture appropriation after she posted, and later removed, photos of herself in a Pocahontas costume on social media.
Black is the designated filing agent for and frequent companion on the campaign trail of her husband, Paul Black, the Republican challenging incumbent Democrat Matt Salka for the District 3 seat on the Board of County Commissioners. Neither Paul nor Krii Black is eligible for enrollment as a member of any Indigenous tribe, Paul Black confirmed.
The reservations of Colorado’s only federally recognized tribes, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, fall within La Plata County.
“The use of Native women as costumes, such as the appropriation of Pocahontas, not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also disregards the very real struggles faced by Tribes and Tribal communities throughout the country, including those in Colorado,” SUIT Chairman Melvin Baker and Vice Chairman Lorelei Cloud said in a written statement to The Durango Herald.
The photos, taken at an Oct. 26 Halloween-themed equestrian event and costume contest hosted by Archuleta County 4-H, depict Krii Black in Indigenous regalia atop a horse which had been painted in the style of a native warhorse.
“Couldn’t miss a chance to play dress up with the horses and kiddos. What a FUN day,” the caption on Instagram read in part, along with hashtag “#pocahontas.”
The backlash was swift. There has been an increasingly loud conversation in recent years, especially near Halloween, around cultural appropriation with respect to costumes.
“Your husband is running for office to serve as a leader for La Plata County, which includes the Southern Ute Indian Tribe,” commented Brittany Leffel, a Durango-based conservation advocate. “If this is how you view your Indigenous neighbors, then it’s hard for me to trust your husband as a Commissioner.”
“My culture is not a costume contest. This is absolutely ridiculous,” commented Becky Croft, an Oklahoma-based running coach.
The La Plata County Democrats also created a poster with the image, which asks “Will Paul Black respect our neighbors?”
Within 24 hours, Krii Black removed the post from both Instagram and Facebook because it “featured children at a children's Halloween event and the amount of hateful redirect that was piling onto the post was not appropriate for children,” Paul Black wrote in an email to the Herald.
“It saddens me to see our county divided further by paid political attack ads from the La Plata County Democrats,” he added. “My goal in running for County Commissioner is to work together to find commonality, unity, and balance for all La Plata County residents.”
Southern Ute officials are using the moment to educate the community on issues pertinent to the preservation of and respect for native cultures.
Pocahontas was a real Indigenous woman named Amonute, they noted, who lived around the turn of the 17th Century. A fictionalized version of her life was made popular in a 1995 Disney film, although Indigenous oral histories indicate her life was nothing like what was documented by colonizers.
“The true story of Pocahontas exemplifies how historically this country has sought to destroy tribal culture and objectify Native women,” Southern Ute officials said. “We understand that the family member, in wearing traditional Native regalia, was not intentionally trying to harm Native Americans. But the perpetuation of the Pocahontas myth underscores the need to continue to educate our students about Native history and culture.”
In response, Paul Black said he hopes “this unfortunate moment opens up an opportunity for further conversations about the misconceptions and accuracy of Native History and Culture within our homes and schools.”
“We understand that the recent Pocahontas costume has been misinterpreted in ways my wife did not intend,” he wrote. “Our family has the utmost respect for The Southern Ute Tribe and our tribal community.”
Southern Ute officials are urging members of the public to educate themselves.
“This Halloween, let us celebrate diversity and respect. Avoid cultural appropriation by not using Indigenous regalia as a costume,” Baker and Cloud wrote. “Instead, take the opportunity to learn about the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Ute Indian Tribe. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding community.”
rschafir@durangoherald.com
