Shooting on Indian reservations

[lenser]

Okay, No info in searching this site and a multi topic Google search just leads me in circles, so I'm throwing this out for a plea for help from informed members.

I have an assignment to photograph a client's apartment community in Redbud, SD. That is in the middle of the Redbud Indian Reservation, so I'll be following that up with exploring the reservation photographically as well as the National Parks outside of the reservation.

My concern is tribal rules and regulations for photographing commercially on their lands. The assigned shoot will be in the town and the rest will be for fun and possible sales, but not direct commercial shooting.

Having read that at least some reservations require permits, I'm trying to find info on this specific situation.

Anyone out there who might know or have suggestions on who to contact for absolute valid permit information.

Thanks, folks.

Tim

[Deane Johnson]

There are a lot of numbers and email addresses available on the Redbud web site. It might be challenging as to which to contact. Perhaps tourism.

http://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov/

[sidmac]

Talk to the tribal office, there will be one somewhere on the reservation. Native Americans are concerned about privacy and exploitation that has occured in the past. A simple rule is show courtesy and ask first.

[Caivman]

Sidmac has the right idea. Contact them directly and they'll be far more likely to help you than if you just show up ready to shoot. Give them a copy of the work-order or assignment schedule to show that you're legit as well.

[Steven Tribe]

Is "Reservation" still a politically/socially OK term? It brings a lot of nasty images to mind.

[lenser]

Thanks everyone. I'm calling them later today. Steven, all the Federal and state maps I've seen on line and in hand (AAA) still call them "reservations".

[BrianShaw]

Is "Reservation" still a politically/socially OK term? It brings a lot of nasty images to mind.

Is "Indian" still a politically/socially OK term? It brings a completely different continent and peoples to mind. ;

The media has been using the term "Native American" for quite some time.

As a "European (once upon a time) American of mixed heritage" I don't really think it matters if not said with an offensive intent.

[lenser]

I often wonder just how much time is wasted on worrying about all this politically correct nonsense. I try to be damned sure that I am totally polite to people and respect their wishes regarding wording, heritage, etc. That's the way I was raised and I enjoy offering and receiving respect in return. But, I honestly think that political correctness often creates vastly more divisiveness than it solves.

In calling the reservation offices, I have gotten far enough to find out that a permit will be required, but I have yet to reach the person who can give me the details.

I'll post that info once I get the specific data.

Brian, I join you as a European heritage "mutt". I have a mostly German heritage (several generations removed) and if somebody wants to call me a Kraut, so long as they do it with a smile on their face, especially over a good German beer, who cares.

Tim LUDWIG

[lenser]

Okay. I just got what seems to be the definitive word from a very nice gentleman in the revenue department at the Rosebud Reservation.

For recreational photography, no fees are required.

For any business related photography, the situation is treated as being a business and doing business on their land and there are three tiers of fees for that license.

Four days costs $10.00

Up to, but not over Three Months costs $25.00

A Permanent license is $50.00 yearly.

I was told that this can either be done in advance or when one arrives on the reservation. It happens that my assignment is at a town where an office exists so I can purchase the four day license when I arrive on site.

Whether this applies to other reservations, I can't say, so clearly calling ahead to those would be in order.

Thanks for the help to all who responded.

[sidmac]

I just call my Navajo friend Sally. That's her name.

[Deane Johnson]

The permit cost certainly seems reasonable.

[BrianShaw]

The permit cost certainly seems reasonable.

Ain't that the truth!

I have no personal experience, but I've heard from a friend who has photographed on reservations a lot that the locals like cash "tips" if they are photographed. If it were me, I'd go with permit on one pocket and a bunch of $1s and $5s in the other.

Re: lensers question on hoiw much time gets spent on political correctness... I can answer that: definitely too much!

[Deane Johnson]

Brain, good that you brought up the tip thing. I'm sure it varies from place to place, but the brief experiences I have had indicate that tips were appreciated.

Photographing individuals varies from situation to situation also. My guess is that one could get answers when purchasing the permit.

[lenser]

Good idea, Brian. My work assignment is purely architectural, but who knows what I'll photograph on the other days I plan to spend in the area. I've been thinking purely landscape, but I'll prepare for people as well.

Deane is right, the cost is negligible.

[goamules]

Is "Reservation" still a politically/socially OK term? It brings a lot of nasty images to mind.

It's the term used by the people who live on them, according to my wife who works with a lot of Native Americans. But we can all try to make up a politically correct term at this point....or not.

[BrianShaw]

(Reservation) But we can all try to make up a politically correct term at this point....or not.

It's been done for us: Tribal Nation or Tribal Lands. At least, that's what they call them West of the Colorado River.

Please note that these terms are not interchangable with "reservation" when booking a restaurant table, hotel room or airplane flight. :D

[lenser]

lihuahellen,

I was just trying to mine the membership for personal information from anyone who had this kind of experience.

I had already checked out their web site before opening this thread and found only general information....nothing specific to this topic and nothing to direct me to a revenue office or licensing office. As I replied in a response of my own, I did reach them by phone and easily got the info (posted the prices here), but it took four phone calls to finally make contact and then to to get through to the correct person.

Brian,

I referred to both "Nation" and "reservation" on the phone with them and they made no correction to either one. So now I guess when the job is actually assigned, I will make a reservation to shoot on the reservation. (Sorry Brian, but you started it.)

Like I said, very nice and helpful people once I finally got through on the phones. Should be a good experience.

[goamules]

"Can I reserve a reservation to camp on the Reservation game preserve?"

I was told some in the tribes don't consider the reservation lands to be their tribal lands. For example, most are not in areas that the tribes originally lived, or wanted to live. So some (most that I've heard around Arizona and 4 corners) still use the term "Reservation."

Interestingly, while most of their original "prime" land has been ruined by development, the reservations now sit on some of the most beautiful territory in American.

[BrianShaw]

Yes, of course you are correct Garrett.

[Kirk Gittings]

"Can I reserve a reservation to camp on the Reservation game preserve?"

I was told some in the tribes don't consider the reservation lands to be their tribal lands. For example, most are not in areas that the tribes originally lived, or wanted to live. So some (most that I've heard around Arizona and 4 corners) still use the term "Reservation."

Interestingly, while most of their original "prime" land has been ruined by development, the reservations now sit on some of the most beautiful territory in American.

I don't understand this statement. The "Four Corners" tribes like the Hopi and Navajo and the Southern Arizona Pimas are pretty much on their ancestral lands. They were "allowed" to stay there largely because the land was considered worthless-unlike the gold rich Black Hills of the Sue. Now many like the White River Apaches have considerably less land in reservation than they claim (half of AZ, NM and Northern Mexico), but that is kind of a different question and also involves conflicting and overlapping claims amongst the Indians. The Colorado Utes, also near the Four Corners, of whom I know quite a few, claim half of Colorado and Utah, but they are on their ancestral lands.

[goamules]

Kirk,
You are right, I should have separated the two statements; I was thinking of the Apache when I was discussing original lands, but then my mind shifted to the Tono o'odham and Navajo when I stated that many of them say "I'm going back to the Res this weekend..." etc.

Of course, a lot of these tribes moved around quite a bit after the Europeans brought the horse. So what was "originally" one tribe, is often contested by another, like you say.

[Drew Wiley]

It's all relative. The Hopi are likely to consider the Navajo as relatively recent invaders
of their own land. Here in Calif we use the term reservation, but these are basically
rancherias, often now paved over and reassigned the term Casinos, or in my book, gangsterfied eyesores. Pounce on me for being politically incorrect if you wish,
by I grew up with these Indians, so know the inside story better than most. Some of these local "tribes" are recent political inventions strictly for the purpose of building
more casinos.