In 1995, Roy Disney decided to release an animated movie about a
Powhatan woman known as “Pocahontas”. In answer to a complaint
by the Powhatan Nation, he claims the film is “responsible,
accurate, and respectful.” We of the Powhatan Nation disagree.
The film distorts history beyond recognition. Our offers to
assist Disney with cultural and historical accuracy were
rejected. Our efforts urging him to reconsider his misguided
mission were spurred. “Pocahontas” was a nickname, meaning “the
naughty one” or “spoiled child”. Her real name was Matoaka. The
legend is that she saved a heroic John Smith from being clubbed
to death by her father in 1607 - she would have been about 10 or
11 at the time. The truth is that Smith’s fellow colonists
described him as an abrasive, ambitious, self-promoting
mercenary soldier. Of all of Powhatan’s children, only
“Pocahontas” is known, primarily because she became the hero of
Euro-Americans as the “good Indian”, one who saved the life of a
white man. Not only is the “good Indian