3 Ways You May Be Appropriating Indigenous Culture (Without Realizing It):
By now you have most likely heard of cultural appropriation, but what is it exactly? In short, it occurs when a member of a dominant culture group inappropriately adopts elements from a disadvantaged minority group. It is often disguised as a way to show appreciation without acknowledging or taking steps to end prejudice against the culture being appropriated.
Below is a list of 3 ways you may be contributing to the problem:
1. Halloween Costumes (Relevant Because Spooky SZN):
Although this may be a more obvious example of cultural appropriation, the importance of its effects on the Indigenous community is pretty powerful. For example, popular halloween costumes such as ‘Pocahontas’ and ‘Indian chief’ are particularly jarring when you stop to think about what they represent: An appropriated, romanticized version of a severely oppressed cultural group. This is problematic because it perpetuates the idea that a person of privilege can 'play pretend’ for a night, without experiencing or even acknowledging the adversity that Indigenous people face daily. There are so many reasons to admire Indigenous culture, but you can do this without diminishing the intergenerational trauma that comes along with it. Lets all leave the knock-off regalia on the shelves this year, and stop disrespecting those who wear theirs with pride (despite the hardships they endure).
The practice of burning white sage to ‘spiritually cleanse’ your home has risen in popularity over the years. This is commonly referred to as smudging or smoke cleansing, however the two terms cannot be used interchangeably. Smudging is a religious ceremony that purifies the soul, it is meant to cleanse your spirit of negative thoughts, people and places. The popularization of smudging has contributed to a high demand for white sage and in turn led to over-harvesting. This takes from the Indigenous communities that use the herb for medicinal and spiritual purposes. It also minimizes the cultural importance of smudging by pushing the narrative that it is okay for anyone to do it, at anytime. On the other hand, Smoke cleansing can be done by using any herb or incense you would like and is not tied to an inherently religious ritual or one specific culture. This makes it the best alternative for a non-Indigenous person who is interested in the benefits of smudging without contributing to cultural appropriation. There are so many aromatics to chose from, we recommend lavender for its calming properties or spicy cinnamon.
3. Buying Beaded Jewellery From a Non-Indigenous Company or Retailer:
Shopping at a fast fashion retailer is not only damaging to the environment, it can lead to the unintentional support of large companies that appropriate Indigenous culture. Purchasing the cheaper version of a new trend may seem like a cost effective way to get that ‘boho’ look that all of your favourite celebrities may be wearing to Coachella... But have you ever stopped to think about how these sales effect the Indigenous community? Think about it this way, the company you're buying from has most likely ripped off a traditional Indigenous design and manufactured it for you to buy at a lower cost. In doing this, they have taken away potential sales from a smaller, independently owned Indigenous business while simultaneously appropriating Indigenous culture.
To unpack this issue further, there are specific types of beaded jewellery that are only meant for Indigenous Peoples. This is not always taken into consideration by non-Indigenous companies who sell appropriated jewellery. For instance, a medallion necklace is a sacred piece that is typically worn with regalia and symbolizes Indigenous pride. Given the meaning behind a medallion necklace, it would be inappropriate for a non-Indigenous person to wear one. Without proper guidance when buying beaded jewellery, you may be contributing to the problem. In order to combat this, we encourage you to ask questions. Most Indigenous beaders will offer assistance when purchasing their product if you ask.
Don't know where to look? If you love the intricate craftsmanship of Indigenous beadwork and would like to support an Indigenous artist, we have got you covered. We have rounded up some of our favourite Indigenous beaders and have linked their Instagram's for your convenience:
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