Red Pandas & Video Games

•support dark skinned natives •support light skinned natives •support white passing natives •support natives whose first languages are their tribal languages •support natives who cannot speak their tribal language •support native children who have to teach themselves about their tribal culture •support natives living on reservations •support native kids who get asked if their parents live on a reservation •support native kids who are taught to be embarrassed and ashamed of their heritage •support métis people who might not know their heritage •support métis people who aren’t native passing •support native people who stick to traditional hair and dress styles •support natives who practice their tribal religion •support natives who follow mainstream fashion •support natives who are told they’re “too Indian” •support natives who are told they’re “not Indian enough”

Pudge the fish got a peanut butter sandwich every Thursday. Nani does not argue the logic of feeding him, only suggests an alternative sandwich when they are out of peanut butter. Lilo was allowed to take as many photos of whatever mundane or odd subjects as she wanted and Nani would get them developed. Nani recognized what were important habits for Lilo.

When Lilo asks for a pet lobster, Nani does not tell her that lobsters are not pets. She tells her, “We don’t have a lobster door, we have a dog door.” She makes sure the woman at the pound does not tell Lilo that “Stitch is not a real name”.

NANI SPENDS THE ENTIRE MOVIE MAKING SURE THAT LILO NEVER FEELS LIKE HER IDEAS ARE WRONG.

And half of her terror of losing Lilo isnt even just losing her family; its knowing that wherever Lilo goes, they won’t know how to do these things. They won’t understand her. 

It’s not just a habit. It’s a very real part of Lilo’s healing process and Nani understands that.

Also if you pay attention to Nani’s room you’ll notice she had surfing posters and trophies. She was very much on her way to being a pro surfer but had to give it up to become the adult Lilo needed her to be.

And not ONCE does Nani show her sister any resentment. It’s worth it to keep her family together. This is a young woman who is willing to sacrifice all of her dreams and make incredibly grown up decisions.

BOY I’M DRANKIN’

I’M SANGIN’

ON THE MIC TO MY BOY TOYS

THEN I FILL THE TUB UP HALFWAY THEN RIDE IT WITH MY SERFBORT

SERFBORT

SERFBORT

GRAININ’ ON THAT WOOD

“I broke the world for us.”