Comments for âpihtawikosisân

Comment on Ruby’s Story by tumblr backups

tumblr backups — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:54:46 +0000

[...] Ruby’s Story: How a 7 year old got shut down for teaching about Residential Schools [...]

Comment on Artisans/Clothing by tumblr backups

tumblr backups — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:13:26 +0000

[...] authentic on-line stores can be found here. Stop supporting the exploitation of our cultures which is running rampant right now via all of [...]

Comment on Idle No More: Where do we go from here? by mona neepin

mona neepin — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:07:31 +0000

thanks for your understanding

Comment on An Open Letter to Non-Natives in Headdresses by Riley

Riley — Tue, 14 May 2013 02:27:52 +0000

Hello there, I had some questions for you related to this… do you think that recreating a piece of art for educational purposes would be cultural appropriation, if it isn’t feasible to get an aboriginal piece? Or do you think it would be better to just avoid recreation altogether if you can’t have one made by a native craftsman/craftswoman?

Also, I am going to be going on a mission trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota to help with some of the people there. If you were in my position, where would you start on learning about the culture of the Oglala Lakota people(this is coming from a person who has little knowledge of the culture) ?

Comment on The Stolen Generation(s). by âpihtawikosisân

âpihtawikosisân — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:00:13 +0000

Sounds like you may need to read this article to help cope with the issue of what is traditional:http://apihtawikosisan.com/2012/01/14/the-that-isnt-traditional-meme/

As for the issue of land, it is indeed ridiculous to expect that the one third of reserve lands that actually remain in First Nation hands after two thirds were lost to encroachment and theft would be something that FNs would willingly give up for a few dollars now, with nothing for future generations. It is also ridiculous that Canada so desperately wants that half of one per cent of land south of the 60th parallel that is still reserve land. Talk about greedy!

Comment on An Open Letter to Non-Natives in Headdresses by âpihtawikosisân

âpihtawikosisân — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:57:11 +0000

Apparently anything I’ve said or would say to you would be met with “No, I built this myself, it has my own personal meaning.”

So enjoy your privilege, and enjoy the fact that you get to speak over and ignore indigenous peoples. You certainly won’t be getting a pat on the back for it from us.

Comment on An Open Letter to Non-Natives in Headdresses by Rex

Rex — Thu, 09 May 2013 07:37:19 +0000

I am going to try to build my own feathered head bonnet. I really like the concept and it is one I have always wanted to bring to life without relying on anybody but myself. It is often said that great artists borrow from one another – the bonnets are inspiring, but I cannot borrow the spiritual and cultural meaning that they bring to and develop, and highlight within the native communities.

If I build my own, using materials sourced from planet Earth without harming planet earth, I will wear it and it will be joyful and meaningful to me.

But if someone says to me “Hey, that’s cultural appropriation” I will say “No, I built this myself, it has my own personal meaning”. It’s ok that they made a mistake, and I’m glad that they are aware of cultural appropriation. They didn’t know that I crafted it myself – and sure – it will look similar to other bonnets they have seen from TV, documentaries, or real life experiences, but I will have purposely used my inspiration to make it suitably different by using dark green colour palette.

This is all hypothetical by the way – but, as you are very intelligent and knowledgeable about these matters, I think I would benefit greatly from your insight here – and I’d really appreciate it

All the best,

Rex from Australia.

Comment on The Stolen Generation(s). by Todd Giihlgiigaa DeVries

Todd Giihlgiigaa DeVries — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:25:26 +0000

Assimilation is practically complete. How many people, live traditionally from the land, with no electricity, plumbing or gas? Nowadays, camping is likened to “inadequate housing.” Try earthbag buildings, as they look like “real” buildings but cost 1/100th of a wooden house (wood rots in 15-20 years). Earthbag, like adobe, lasts for centuries, costing less than a $1000 in materials. Who wildcrafts harvests, or hunts nowadays… community harvesting and farming? The 60’s scoop, residential school took away all hope when they took the children, and any hope of getting help. Government says the natives are poor, but the natives are rich in land that generate unlimited income, as compared to selling it for a couple of thousand dollars, and then have nothing to feed oneself once the couple of thousand dollars have been spent…. crazy reverse psychology, and many people believe it….

Comment on Let’s promote a “Buy Native” trend! by nancymariemithlo

nancymariemithlo — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:03:40 +0000

Appreciate your work. I cited your blog in my TED talk:

Comment on Check the tag on that “Indian” story. by Debra

Debra — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:01:35 +0000

Thank you very much for this. In the Mohican homeland many stories are attributed to my Mohican ancestors, but they were actually Christian interpretations taken from Northern Plains cultures. Too many end with an Indian girl killing herself because of an unhappy love affair. In the meantime the true Mohican stories have disappeared. It didn’t help that a fire destroyed the Ne York State library in 1911. Additionally, a Native ancestor has been indicted of murder with no proof repeatedly in local histories, I suspect because it was a good story. I’m still trying to clear his name after 16 years of research and I think I’m close to the truth.