Na'vi ethnic movement

[proudgaruda]

Hello all. I haven't posted in a while, but I was just wondering how anyone felt like establishing the real-life Na'vi as an ethnic?

I should really say "relaunch", because if you google "Florida Na'vi" you'll find this:

Avatar: Na'vi-impersonator secession group formed in Florida | Life and style | guardian.co.uk

This is a news story (in the UK !) about my RL Na'vi tribe that I am setting up.

Yes, I, Jamling Sherpa (aka. "proudgaruda"), am that person.

I've thought about it for a long time (which explains my absence), and after much debate over possible stereotyping or oppositions such as:

1. Tha Na'vi aren't real !

Answer: Yes, they are real ! I am one of them !

2. Don't you have to be blue to be Na'vi?
Answer: No. The blue tails, ears and skin are for "ceremonial" purposes only.

3. Do you speak Na'vi?
Answer: No, but I am willing to learn.

4. I LOVE Avatar ! Can I join?
Answer: Yes and no.

If you are willing to support the Na'vi as a real-life ethnic and adhere to the Na'vi people's charter and citizenship requirements, then yes.

If you only want to join because of Avatar, or you like Neytiri, then no. The Na'vi people are NOT an Avatar fangroup (despite starting out as one !)

How would I go about doing this? There is a meet up planned, but I was obviously unable to make it this year.

I DO plan to make it in 2013 though. As the only serious ethnic Na'vi movement, I need followers (and its not really "I", its WE).

I plan for the Na'vi people to have a Tsahik (me, since I started the ethnic, but it is an elected position after I step down as Tsahik).

The Na'vi will be a federal system. There will be clans, organised under a federal structure based on your continent and nationality.

For example, the European Council of Na'vi will have the Council of Na'vi in the UK, governing over aspects of Na'vi there. Each national council will have its own leader, officials and legislature.

The Federal government will be organised with the Na'vi Grand Council, comprised of Na'vi from each continental council, who are selected in a tribe wide election.

Now, all of this will be formally established in the meetup, as part of the 1st Na'vi Parliament.

If you are interested in joining the initial founders, and wish to become members of the Na'vi parliament, please post here and send me a PM with your details if possible.

I look forward to starting the Na'vi for real, and launching a new ethnic !

[Moco Loco]

There have definitely been other efforts like this in the past.

[proudgaruda]

There has?

My vision isn't like some of the ones I seen. Some of the others seem to be more environmental/Eywa type groups.

The Na'vi people as I envision them is more of your standard ethnic, not so much as a political or environmentalist statement.

I definately want to avoid the "oh, you're just a tree-hugger/save the earth type group" stereotype.

What other Na'vi groups have there been? As I am working on legitimacy, I would like to see some of these other ones. If people get the wrong ideas about it, my vision could be ruined.

[Pa'li Makto]

This seems like an interesting project.
How many people do you think would join this ethnic movement?

[proudgaruda]

If I do thinks right, I'm thinking a few hundred, but since I intend for it to be a worldwide thing, possibly thousands.

I wonder how I would start working on getting the word out? I would definately have to show up at a meet up of some kind, as I insist on it being a physical thing (ie. real people in a room offline).

Until then, we need to start gathering people who support such a thing together online, and start working on a plan for the eventual meet up.

[Cyvaris]

Raises hand. Hi fellow Floridian.

[proudgaruda]

Cyvaris, where are you from? I'm from Pensacola (as I said before).

[Clarke]

Ohai. It's a neat idea, so I hope you'll excuse me probing the practicalities of it.

Originally Posted by proudgaruda

I plan for the Na'vi people to have a Tsahik (me, since I started the ethnic, but it is an elected position after I step down as Tsahik).

Am I excluded, not being very spiritual?

The Na'vi will be a federal system. There will be clans, organised under a federal structure based on your continent and nationality.

For example, the European Council of Na'vi will have the Council of Na'vi in the UK, governing over aspects of Na'vi there. Each national council will have its own leader, officials and legislature.

The Federal government will be organised with the Na'vi Grand Council, comprised of Na'vi from each continental council, who are selected in a tribe wide election.

How are you going to arrange this so that it does not fall into the flaws of all existing democracies? (A major one is the fact that, currently, UK/US democracy doesn't scale well - it doesn't work effectively for large numbers of people.)

[Cyvaris]

Pedantic-Wasn't Tsahik a title only held by females? Though of course its hard to tell gender online.

I am in St.Pete/Tampa area.

[proudgaruda]

I am male, but I think the Tsahik is either gender as far as I know.

Attached is a sample logo for the Na'vi Government that I designed.

[iron_jones]

So this is like... just really planned out cosplay then?

[Raiden]

I might be in Florida for spring break, but I'll probably be busy looking for snakes.

[proudgaruda]

I'm not sure how the administration would work, I guess each clan would be fully self-governing, but have certain constituencies handled by the Grand Council?

Also, Clarke, you could most definately become a registered Na'vi.

I guess we could have some type of data base that lists registered Na'vi who have agreed to adhere to certain principles?

Something like an ID card to show at a convention, I don't know, help me out guys

[proudgaruda]

Good news.

The Na'vi flag that I've custom ordered has arrived.

A flag raising ceremony will be held in Pensacola tomorrow, and I will post a link to the video of it as soon as it is completed.

The flag is blue, with the defacto Na'vi national symbol in the centre coloured gold, with 6 white stars in an arch above the ikran.

Meaning of the Na'vi flag:

The blue of the flag represents the blue colour of a Na'vi's skin, as seen as part of his ceremonial regalia, as well as strength, unity and peace.

The gold "ikran" (the national symbol of the Na'vi people) represents sunshine and prosperity.

The six white stars represent the six continents (North and South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia) that Na'vi live in throughout the world and the bond of friendship upon which the Na'vi people were founded.

http://65.13.124.175/naviflag.png

[Cyvaris]

Originally Posted by raiden

i might be in florida for spring break, but i'll probably be busy looking for snakes. :p

keep away from my minions!!