“Inee Choh”

In an effort to de-homogenize the world’s collection of the greatest super heroes, Hanna-Barbera created several new members for the Super Friends. Among the tokens is our emcee, Apache Chief who is heading up International Day of the World’s Indigenous People.

Representing the indigenous population of North America, Apache Chief first appeared in The All-New Super Friends Hour. Regis Cordic voiced the addition before Michael Rye replaced him in Challenge of the Superfriends.

Viewers learned Apache Chief’s origin in History of Doom. The young brave and a tribal elder are attacked by a bear. The elder gives his protege a magic powder allowing the youth to grow to 50 feet when reciting the nonsense words “inee choh.” In Hanna-Barbera Native American, it means “man big.” Translated from true Western Apache, man big or great man is really “nde zhoo.”

Rather than create a villain for Apache Chief, Giganta became part of his lore. Originally a Wonder Woman foe, the towering villainess was written in after she stole the pouch of magic powder from the Chief.

Apache Chief would appear as window dressing in every episode but one, yet only have a speaking part in half of said cartoons.

Other heroes created to flavor the animated cultural melting pot included Black Vulcan, El Dorado, Rima the Jungle Girl and Samurai.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed Aug. 9 to raise awareness and celebrate the triumphs and achievements of indigenous peoples. The United Nations adopted a resolution in 1992 to make 1993 the International Year for the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

The following year the UN General Assembly passed resolution 49/214 proclaiming Aug. 9 each year for the following decade as International Day of the World’s Indigenous People for the coming decade.

After the first 10 years had passed, the UN extended the day for another decade. Since then it has been on the calendar each year.

Today, an estimated 2.51-million Native Americans are recorded. An estimate of nearly 60 million were said to have inhabited North American in 1492.

Manifest Destiny fueled relocation and genocide toward Native Americans since the time of settlement by Europeans. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 followed years of conflict between colonists and Native Americans. Over 100,000 indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their native lands due to the Removal Act.

In addition to relocation, invaders used forced marches resulting in the deaths of thousands much like the Jewish genocide a century later.

Today is a day to remember all indigenous peoples; while we do, maybe we should start at home.