
A family from the
Mescalero Apache tribe
is suing the producers of the
Steven Spielberg television series,
Into the West. The family claims that their daughter's hair was cut without
permission and without regard for tribal customs. The girl, 8-year old Christina Ponce, had her hair cut up to her chin
to make her look like a Native American boy. The Mescalero tribe forbids cutting a girl's hair before she reaches
puberty, when it should be waist-length for a Coming of Age ceremony. Ponce's parents are suing for $250,000 for
emotional distress and $75,000 in damages. The girl was cast in the role after her parents responded to a casting call
in New Mexico last March.
Into the West aired on
TBS TNT last summer.
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