The Native Truth
A column dedicated to historical truth and human rights activism of the
American Indian
Editor/Historical Activist: Terri Jean
Director of The Red Roots Educational Project
Contact: the native_truth-owner@yahoogroups.com
Established year 2000
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Cultural Theft
When honoring and borrowing one's cultural identity turns into thievery
by Terri Jean
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"Among the Indians there have been no written laws. Customs
handed down from generation to generation have been the only laws to
guide them. Every one might act different from what was considered
right did he choose to do so, but such acts would bring upon him the
censure of the Nation.... This fear of the Nation's censure acted as a
mighty band, binding all in one social, honorable compact."
~ George Copway (Kah-ge-ga-bowh) ~ Ojibwa, 1818-1863
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Not too long ago, an acquaintance introduced me to his new
"Indian pal" who moved just across the road. The first thing
I noticed about this fella was his beaded war bonnet dangling from his
rear view mirror and a hand-painted "Cherokee Proud" sign proudly
mounted to his back bumper. When invited inside, the man's wife
smiled and showed me into her family room and, when learning of who I
was, proceeded to show off her DreamCatcher (hanging above the sofa,)
Hamilton plate collection of various Native scenes, an "Indian" doll
collection, her crystal "spirituality" necklace and even a Native
American nativity set sitting upon the television. I politely left -
handing them subscription information to my column - right around the
time they pulled out the plans for building their own backyard Sweat
Lodge and kids teepee.
When we departed my acquaintance asked "What did you think?"
And my only reply was... "So many are misguided... They want to
become part of something they only know through books and movies -
material stolen from Native people and then warped to meet an
outsiders needs. I see it all the time..."
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"First they came to take our land and water, then our fish and
game. ...Now they want our religions as well. All of a sudden,
we have a lot of unscrupulous idiots running around saying they're
medicine people. And they'll sell you a sweat lodge ceremony
for fifty bucks. It's not only wrong, its obscene. Indians don't
sell their spirituality to anybody, for any price. This is just
another in a very long series of thefts from Indian people and, in
some ways, this is the worst one yet."
Janet McCloud, Tulalip. Source: Z Magazine, Dec.`90
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Stolen? What do you mean it's stolen?
Indigenous activists from all over the world fight to retain their
cultural and intellectual property - a battle fought with opponents
who, for the most part, do not even realize they are committing an
offensive act. And even if they do know their actions are
questionable, they often justify it in one manner or another. In this
month's Native Truth column, we'll examine the definition of
Wannabe's, Twinkies, and Exploiters and perhaps shed some light
on these controversial issues.
What is Cultural Property?
Culture is the expression of a group of people: their values,
language, music, literature, healing practices, traditions, spiritual
belief system, agriculture, art, names, holidays, folklore, and
ceremonies.
Are you a Wannabe?
There is a difference between a person who seeks to learn more about
Native Americans in general (or are in search of their Native
American ancestry) - and a Wannabe Indian. Actually, a respectable
admiration of tribal people is a compliment - as is a desire to locate
long-lost bloodties and connect with distant relatives from all
over the planet.
On the other hand, a Wannabe Indian is a person who wants to be
involved in the culture - whether they have the bloodties or not.
They mimic what they see on television - usually a romanticized or
nature-oriented images - and read white-washed books that explain
indigenous matter from a non-Native point of view. He gains knowledge
from erroneous material and, often times, thinks he knows all he
needs to know to `be an Indian.' In reality, he knows little (or
nothing at all) on the current plight and issues of the Native people,
rather choosing to live his life within the boundaries of distorted
images, fictionalized "wisdom" and circumstances of days gone
by.
He speaks for "his people" and often times collects all that
is "Indian." Trinkets from the gas station, Sitting Bull T-shirts
made in Korea, and DreamCatchers purchased at the local craft mall.
All of this is meant to make him feel more part of the Native
community - though he's probably never been to a Native community
to begin with.
I'm sure that no one reading this column wishes to be placed in
the Wannabe category.
Here's a few tips to keep you from receiving such a label:
* Items such as the Native American Barbie, non-Native made Dream
Catchers, little plastic headdresses (for the car), Hamilton plates
and figurines, medicine bags, calendars, posters, greeting cards,
Cowboy & Indian toys, and Indian blankets made in Korea are
considered, by many, to be insulting. Rather, buy genuine products
and support genuine Native American people and businesses.
* Research Thanksgiving and Christopher Columbus day before you
celebrate them.
* Purchase Native American books, movies and music from well-known
American Indians.
* Know that movies like Dances with Wolves are not accurate history
lessons or Native representation.
* Be leery of Native American/New Age crap. Tarot (Medicine) cards,
crystal jewelry, "Native American Spirituality" books, Medicine Wheel
readings and "Totem Quests" are - to be honest - a bunch of bull.
* Do not try to look "Indian" by dying your hair and
braiding them, wearing feathered headbands, or wearing "Native
American" clothing.
* Learn more about Native issues such as Leonard Peltire's
freedom, mascot, treaty rights, sovereignty, casino's, and so on.
Support them when you can.
* Don't give yourself a Native American name.
* If you want to be part of the Native culture, you must first know
their history and meet their people. And if you have Native
bloodties, take the time to try and fill in your family tree. Then
you'll know where you truly belong.
* Do not participate in - or reconstruct for yourself - a ceremony or
ritual that is not of your people (such as the sweat lodge, vision
quest, etc) unless invited by an reputable person. And never pay to
participate in one.
* LISTEN! You can only gain wisdom by learning from others.
BEWARE of TWINKIES!
A Twinkie goes a bit further than a Wannabe. While most Wannabe's
are harmless admirers of Native cultures, Twinkies are people who
claim to be Indian just so they can swindle you out of money and rob
you spiritually. They are usually attention-seekers masquerading as
enlightened Shamans, spiritual teachers, healers or leaders. An
example would be those who charge $100 a pop to put you through the
paces of a Vision Quest or a Sweat Lodge (true spiritual leaders
never charge for their services.) I've seen some people charge up to
$3000 for a week-long "Native American" Spiritual Workshop, or
$50.00 for a crystal healing ceremony. Twinkies to watch out for
include: Grace Spotted Eagle and Wallace Black Elk (Sweat Lodge
Workshops), Osheana Fast, Bear Tribe Medicine Society, WolfVision
Quest, Inc., Quanda the "Healing Woman", and Cyfus McDonald
Twinkie authors are quite common and often have a following. Jamie
Sams, Ted Andrews, Mary Summer Rain, Sun Bear, and Brook Medicine
Eagle are just a few that need to be avoided.
Many of the Twinkies are peddling Native American Spirituality -
targeting people searching for a deeper sense of self and a
connection with a deity, and with the earth. These Twinkies borrow
from various beliefs and practices - combining them into a New Age
religion that can be sold over the Internet via books, chants,
candles, crystals and so on. This New Age trend is actually a
distorted image of various Native practices and rituals and in no way
reflects the true belief systems of Native people and communities.
These Twinkies are indeed stealing from the Native people, and to do
so is not only wrong (supposedly going against all that they preach
to begin with) but it is also patronizing, and insulting.
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"Each one must learn for himself the highest wisdom.
"It cannot be taught in words."
" ~ Smowhala ~ Wanapum
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Continued on part 2.....
And then there's the EXPLOITERS
And now we get to the bottom of the barrel. Most exploiters are
profit-hungry companies mass-producing various cultural
knockoff's - selling everything from Medicine Bags, blankets and
turquoise jewelry to "peace pipes," Jeep Cherokee vehicles,
and Crazy Horse Beer. Even Disney falls into this category - making
millions from their inaccurate and stereotypical children's movie
and merchandise, Pocahontas.
Just last month I involved myself in an intriguing email
"discussion" pertaining to the issue of cultural theft with a
California man who calls himself "Aboriginal Steve." Now...
Aboriginal Steve proudly sells boomerangs and even teaches people how
to use them. But what Steve does for a living isn't necessarily the
issue - the problem lies with his chosen name and the image he
portrays to the public.
When Steve and I started "chatting," the first question I
needed answered was whether he was "Aboriginal." After all,
when I heard the name "Aboriginal Steve" I immediately
assumed he was a Native
Australian Aborigine. Steve responded: "You are aware that I do
not speak for Indigenous People of Australia" and that he was
born in California. He also stated that his using the word
"Aboriginal" was not, in his opinion, offensive and that
there are more important issues facing the worlds indigenous people
that should be addressed. My response was as follows:
~ Though I agree with you that health care, education, etc. are
important issues, so is cultural theft. Today aboriginal people are
stereotyped in the media, in the news, in literature and in history
books. When for-profits use Native names, images and cultural
practices as ways and means of making money, it adds to those
stereotypes... which then escalates the other problems such as health
care and education. It turns Native people into characters rather
than a group of people, thusly encouraging society to think of them
in terms of images and clichés - which makes it easier to deny
them rights, historical accuracy and respect. After all, if their not
really people, and their race is not respected, it's easy to
disregard their needs. This, in my opinion, is the heart of all
Native issues.... Cultural theft definitely needs to be addressed.
Once people realize that it IS a big deal, then the other problems can
be dealt with. To call yourself something that you are not - and to do
it as a market ploy to sell a product - perpetrates the problem. It's
that simple. ~
"Aboriginal Steve" responded by saying that "Acceptance
and sharing is the only thing that will reduce [hate and fear]" -
in which I responded that Native people have "shared" everything
(via force, "conquest," friendship, agreement, and so on) and have
only their culture to hold on to. Now non-Natives such as Steve wants
to "share" in that also. Participating in the identity of a
group that wishes you not to "share" in their culture is, indeed,
cultural theft.
And Steve is doing exactly that. Many within the Aboriginal
Australian community are strongly opposed to the use of the name
"Aboriginal"... especially to sell boomerangs. The term is a
part of their identity and he is using that identity to sell a
product from their culture - marketing it as though he, himself, was a
member of that group. I have spoken to many Aboriginals in Australia
currently fighting against businessowners like Steve and I feel
sympathetic to their cause - a cause very similar to the Cultural
Theft issue fought by Native American Indians here in the states.
Unfortunately, capitalists such as Steve litter the globe - offending
and insulting as they go. A few examples: Cherokee line of clothing,
a baseball team called "The Redskins," butter with an Indian
Princess on the label, and how can we forget the Eskimo pie?
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I think it's safe to say that nobody wants to be a Twinkie.
Unfortunately, the Wannabe people of the IWISHIWAS tribe is
increasing - and so is the concern from the Native people who wish to
protect their folklore, art, literature, music, spiritual beliefs,
ceremonies and basic cultural practices. It may soon be a matter for
the courts; a cultural copyright issue sure to spark controversy and
raise oppostition from pseudo-Indians, Twinkies and big-businesses
alike.
What is comes down to is this: The Native people have had nearly
everything stolen from them. Land, homes, children, burial grounds,
and more. Do we really need to say to them "And now we want
everything else. And we're not waiting for an invitation."
The irony is: most Native principals are based on RESPECT. Stealing
one's cultural identity and metamorphosing it into your own
belief system is not only narcissistic, it's the epitome of
DISRESPECT. You cannot be a Wannabe, a Twinkie or an Exploiter and
honor the people that you are exploiting. It's that simple.
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What to Read and What to Avoid
There are many talented, reputable Native American authors. A few of
my favorite are: Vine Deloria, Jr., Paula Gunn Allen, Janet Campbell
Hale, Joseph Bruchac, Anna Lee Walters, Twylah Hurd Nitsch, and N.
Scott Momaday.
You should avoid the following books:
Alice Dalgliesh, The Courage of Sarah Noble. New York: Macmillan
(1954, 1991)
Ann Rinaldi, My Heart Is On the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little
Rose, a Sioux Girl. Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880. New
York: Scholastic (1999)
The Indian in the Cupboard and The Return of the Indian. Both use
stereotypical imagery including broken speech: "I help... I go...
Big hole. I go through... Want fire. Want make dance. Call spirits."
The Education of Little Tree - written under the pseudonym, Forrest
Carter who claimed to be an orphaned Cherokee. In reality, the author
was Earl Carter, a former member of the KKK and speechwriter for
George Wallace.
Susan Jeffers, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, Illustrated by the author.
New York: Dial (1991).
Ann Turner, The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita,
a Navajo Girl. New Mexico, 1864. New York: Scholastic (1999), Dear
America Series
Albert Marrin, Sitting Bull and His World. New York: Dutton (2000)
Elizabeth George Speare, The Sign of the Beaver. New York: Dell (1983)
Michael L. Cooper, Indian School: Teaching the White Man's Way. New
York: Clarion (1999). Possibly one of the worst books I've read
on the Indian Boarding School experience. He gave a presentation on
Book-TV once and a child asked him if he spoke to any Native people
when writing the book. He said no, because it was a bad experience for
them and they didn't like to talk about it. Of all the books
I've reviewed, this one was my least favorite.
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Bibliography and sources of additional information:
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stharm.htm
--> The Harm of Native Stereotyping
http://www.oyate.org/books-to-avoid/index.html
--> Oyate Organization - includes a books to avoid list
A Little Matter of Genocide by Ward Churchill. City Lights Books, 1997
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ATTENTION EDUCATORS!! (Schoolteachers and homeschooling teachers
alike.) I need to put together a small discussion panel on teaching
children Historical Truths of the American Indians (I am writing a
workbook.) If you would like to be involved, please contact me at
the_native_truth@m... Thanks! ~ Terri Jean
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above.
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