- Details
- By Levi Rickert
The National Congress of American Indians announced Thursday that it had acquired ownership of the well-known “Crying Indian” anti-pollution public service announcement (PSA) advertisement that first aired on Earth Day in 1971.
The advertisement, which raised awareness of environmental protection and became a part of popular culture at the time of its creation, was later known for featuring imagery that stereotyped American Indian and Alaska Native people and misappropriated Native culture.
Keep American Beautiful Inc., a non-profit organization that created the ad, decided it was time to officially retire the advertisement. The organization transfered it to the NCAI Fund, a 501(c)(3) public education nonprofit organization, that plans to retire the ad permanently.
“NCAI is proud to assume the role of monitoring the use of this advertisement and ensure it is only used for historical context; this advertisement was inappropriate then and remains inappropriate today,” NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. said in a statement. “NCAI looks forward to putting this advertisement to bed for good.”
For those who have never seen the ad, it plays out this way: The PSA opens with Iron Eyes Cody, an actor who plays an Indian, paddling his canoe in a waterway that becomes polluted with debris. The Indian then pulls the canoe from the water and takes it to shore and then walks towards a freeway and witnesses a bag tossed out the window of a moving vehicle onto the ground. The impact of the bag being tossed from the vehicle lands with such force it causes the bag to break open and spill out fast-food wrappers that land on his moccasins.
In a voice over, a narrator says: “Some people have a deep abiding respect for the natural beauty that was once this country. And some people don’t.”
As the PSA concludes, a close up of Iron Eyes Cody’s face shows a single tear streaming down his face.
The PSA was effective at the time, in part, because it coincided with the takeover of Alcatraz Island by a group of Native Americans. The events at Alcatraz created a surge of popularity and awareness of Native Americans at the same time that the general public was becoming aware of the need to protect Mother Earth.
At the time it was shown, most people assumed Iron Eyes Cody was in fact a Native American. He was not. He was an Italian American actor.
More Stories Like This
Osage Minerals Council Celebrates the Final Dismissal of Hayes II LitigationBad River Chairman: "Line 5 is a daily threat to our clean rivers and lakes, our fish, and our wild rice."
Navajo Nation Council Speaker Curley Announces Public Hearing on Federal Coal Industry Initiatives
NDN Fund Continues to Support of Landback Efforts in Copper River Delta, Alaska
Environmental Panel Approves Ramos Bill Calling for Tribal Input on Water Projects
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Our mission draws from the warrior spirit that has sustained Indigenous peoples for generations — the same spirit that drives us to stand guard over tribal rights through relentless investigation and fearless reporting.
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
