"Aboriginal wrestlers over the years haven't always agreed on how their heritage should be portrayed and exploited for professional wrestling's gain. Some were comfortable with the headdress and the war dances, and others eschewed the cultural shortcut completely.

Gerry Brisco, from the Chocktaw and Chikasaw tribes of Oklahoma, was one of those who elected not to play a stereotype, the same path as his older brother, the late NWA World champion Jack Brisco.

"I just kind of had a different belief. Even during the beginning of my career, some of the promoters, some of the bookers said, 'You ought to go as a Native American' -- Indian at that time. I never would do it because I just didn't feel like that was the right thing for me to do," Brisco told SLAM! Wrestling. "I never held it against them. I always begrudged the guys that weren't Native Americans and went out and dressed and pretended to be Native Americans -- some of the Latinos and Italians, and guys like that, I'm not naming names."

Native American and Canadian wrestlers have been in pro wrestling almost from the start of the pro game, or least a reasonable facsimile there of. "

Get the Story:
Greg Oliver / Minority Mat Report: Aboriginal wrestlers didn't always dance to the same tune (SLAM! Wrestling 8/18)