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Jiang Qing, better known as Madame Mao, studied literature and drama and was a successful actress prior to marrying Chairman Mao Zedong (read more)
Featured Article: Wigwam
The use of these terms by non-Native Americans has been somewhat arbitrary, often used to refer to many distinct types of Native American structures regardless of location or cultural group. The wigwam should not to be confused with the Plains Indians' tipi, which has a very different construction, structure, and use. In the twenty-first century, the term "wickiup" became preferred for this structure due to the overuse of the term "wigwam" and the perception of it as part of the stereotype of "uncivilized" American Indians.
In fact, the wickiup had a rather sophisticated construction and reveals the creativity of the people who used it. Semi-permanent, unlike the portable tipi which was also used by many of the same tribes during hunting trips, the wickiup is constructed from available natural items and provides shelter from all types of weather: It provides shade from the sun during summer and can be open to provide ventilation; it also can be waterproofed and lined to keep the inhabitants warm and dry. These structures are also commonly used for sweat lodge ceremonies, continuing into contemporary times.
Popular Article: Marlon Brando
In the 1960s Brando was one of the first actor-activists to march for civil rights and Native American rights. He refused to accept his Oscar for "The Godfather," in protest of discrimination against Native Americans in the film industry and in government policy.
In 1999 the American Film Institute named him the Fourth Greatest Male Star of All Time. In his latter years he came to be known as much for his bizarre behavior as for his acting.
