Would a Champion with a Native American vibe be doable, or would it be too insensitive/offensive?

darkdill·12/13/2017, 10:02:13 PM·20 votes·2,874 views

So far we don't have any Champions who have this vibe as a baseline; just a few skins that invoke it. I understand if Riot's afraid of offending anyone, but that doesn't mean such an idea is impossible.

I'm not recommending a carbon copy, but having it be its own thing while making one think of Native American culture would be a better approach. Kinda like how Targon gives off a bit of a Greek/Roman vibe, but remains its own thing.

Also, doing it for the sake of said vibe alone would not be a good start. Having an appropriate kit will be necessary, but for the sake of this topic, I'd like to stick to the thematic part.

110 Comments

Zyranium12/13/2017, 11:07:09 PM19 votes

Maybe instead of focusing on a specific tribe, why not some legendary creatures that every tribes shares in their mythology ? There is so many tribes and cultures in America

I was thinking about the Wendingo ; maybe it could become a forest protector, a vengeful spirit who kills those who dares steps in its territory ? It would be very close to Ivern but very different too. Horns, fur, claws etc

The Chupacabra would be great too, some indigenous south american myths would be perfect, since we have no faction in Runeterra that represents Mayan/Incan (Indigenous American) civilizations. I think it could be nice to introduce a new faction that shares the same aesthetics as the pre-Colombian civilizations !

Ionia - East Asia/Southern Asia ( See Karma, I assume there is more than just one culture and people in there) Shurima - Ancient Egypt and Middle-East Noxus - Medieval Europe Demacia - Medieval Europe Bilgewater - Colonial Australia/Caribbean vibes (See Illaoi and TF who are indigenous people from the Serpent Isles) **Shadow Isles **- Eastern Europe (?) **Freljord **- Scandinavia/Northern Europe Piltover - Steampunk (Great Britain) Zaun - Steampunk vibes **Targon ** - Greek/Caucasus

Kumungu jungles is yet, badly an unexploited region, that needs to be fleshed out, It's still canon, but imagine how many cool champs that could come from an antique and dangerous jungle ? Yes we need more diversity in cultures and factions !

Johnny El Rojo12/13/2017, 10:17:21 PM18 votes

If they do something like it, it would be probably a vasthayan champion, seeing the trend of most vasthayan societies being tribal. I would say eagle like, but Xayah and Rakan already fill the bird like spot. Maybe a bison, but then it would be too similar to Alistar .

What other animals do you relate to native americans that would make a good vasthayan champion?

Sexy Jack Rabbit12/14/2017, 11:00:17 AM8 votes

There is a big difference between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation.

Cultural Appropriation = https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1200/1*1tQtDRmlXxyBq4PvcgWzhQ.jpeg

Turning a culture into a costume.

Cultural Appreciation = https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1000/1*UcX_u8FzoX4gFk5wD0wkRA.jpeg

Giving a NATIVE AMERICAN Character a Native american skin in a video game.

You make a character who is 'native' but exihibts no aspects or traits of being so is grounds for outrage. You make a character who is native and exihibts traits and aspects of their tribes or heritage whilst still being respectful of said culture is fine.

God Illaoi is a perfect example of Riot taking a native culture (In Illaoi's case traditional polynesian) and turning it into a champion.

There is nothing wrong with using cultures or other countries in character design as long as you're not just ignorant or belligerent to the fact the things you are using are from ACTUAL Cultures that exist, and not just 'silly designs'.

Niyume12/13/2017, 10:11:07 PM3 votes

I could imagine some kind of druid type champ from the jungles giving the whole Indian vibe.

And plenty of shows / cartoons / movies / games / books have made a parody or reference to the whole Indian thing, so I wouldn't worry about it being offensive. It's a common stereotype / cliche thing.

flibitydoo12/14/2017, 3:27:43 AM3 votes

I always for some reason felt like Kindred was the native american themed champ

no idea why however

perhaps it's the mask perhaps it's the forest that their theme suggests that they work in perhaps it's the bow perhaps it's the name "dance of arrows" perhaps it's the animal spirit esque theme that aboriginal stories always explain

ChuShoe12/14/2017, 5:21:08 AM3 votes

Kindred With her masks feels very... not specifically native american, but very tribal.

The last thing I want is for Rito to rehash their lore into a tribal story rather than her really cool thematic of death and final choice (and I say this because of what happened to varus), accompanied with the little bit of irony within the masks (lamb wears wolf's mask, and wolf wears lambs mask, whichever one you choose you're still going to die.)

Jezbo12/14/2017, 2:00:00 AM2 votes

Why would that be insensitive to make a champion's theme akin to Native American culture? It'd be poor taste if it was a lazy concept for sure though. Can't just give someone a headdress and feathers.

IAintDarius12/13/2017, 10:51:05 PM2 votes

I love how the mere idea of native americans existing is offensive.