Misusing Native Symbols
Ever wanted to buy some Indian jewelry or crafts but didnt know what was appropriate or how something should be used? Were you dying to get a Native symbol for a tattoo but didn't know if you would offend an entire nation of people with that Thunderbird on your...arm?
Well, Native America Calling is here to help you out.
Friday, July 29, 2005 - Misusing Native Symbols:
Dream Catchers, Kokopelli, Totem Poles…you name it and you’ll probably see these items or symbols on sale in any number of stores or swap meets. Quite often the purpose of the item or symbol is lost on the buyer or they get limited information about the true traditional nature of the item. What does the Dream Catcher really stand for and how was it used in the past? Why won’t some Native people consider hanging a picture of Kokopelli in their home? The use and misuse of Native symbols may offend some Natives but it remains big business for many shop keepers. How does it impact you? Guests include Jodell Meyer (Mille Lacs Ojibwe) Assistant Site Manager/Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post.
Native America Calling Airs Live
Monday - Friday 1-2pm EST
You can listen on your computer here: http://www.airos.org/
Well, Native America Calling is here to help you out.
Friday, July 29, 2005 - Misusing Native Symbols:
Dream Catchers, Kokopelli, Totem Poles…you name it and you’ll probably see these items or symbols on sale in any number of stores or swap meets. Quite often the purpose of the item or symbol is lost on the buyer or they get limited information about the true traditional nature of the item. What does the Dream Catcher really stand for and how was it used in the past? Why won’t some Native people consider hanging a picture of Kokopelli in their home? The use and misuse of Native symbols may offend some Natives but it remains big business for many shop keepers. How does it impact you? Guests include Jodell Meyer (Mille Lacs Ojibwe) Assistant Site Manager/Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post.
Native America Calling Airs Live
Monday - Friday 1-2pm EST
You can listen on your computer here: http://www.airos.org/
posted by The Marigold Trail at 12:00 PM
5 Comments:
Do you think Natives put stuff out there that isn't authentic so they can just get the $$$?
oh sure. in fact, most "Indian" dances non-Natives see are recently made up, purely to wow the white folks out of their money.
But I think what the talk show wanted to address was the consumer of Native goods, the people who buy dreamcatchers or get tribal tattoos and such. Do they even know what they are buying and why?
I think the consumers (white folk) are trying to relate to something that their ancestors had a hand in destroying.
Nothing wrong with pimping your culture. When I went to Morocco the people there were doing something similar. They would tell you that what they were selling was authentic Berber when it wasn't.
Go here , put "dreamcatcher" in the search box, and look at the advertising links that come up!
Actually, I can't find a link to the broadcast itself anywhere in the site. The archives are not up to date.
lol..classic. Those Google ads are the worst. Why, people, why?
Once the archive is available, it will be at
http://www.nativeamericacalling.com
They usually run about two weeks behind.
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