Appreciation vs Appropriation
It still seems confusing for some individuals as to what is sacred Indigenous regalia that should not be worn in a disrespectful fashion and what is simply Indigenous made goods. There’s a difference between appreciation and appropriation and we hope to provide a perspective that better clarifies the two.
Appreciation
You find yourself on an Indigenous-owned site looking at jewelry when you see a set of deadly beaded earrings you love but are unsure of purchasing because you’re not quite sure if they’re inappropriate to wear due to the fact that they’re designed like a Medicine Wheel.
This is a common worry and we’ve been approached multiple times with similar questions regarding the subject but to us the answer is simple: buy it.
Doing so helps Indigenous people provide for their families, support their communities, and much more, all while creating another form of respectful representation through conversations that will take place over your purchase. Buying your craft supplies, home decor, personal care items, jewelry, and the vast array of other goods offered from Indigenous vendors is the simplest way to show us appreciation without being discourteous.
It’s when people source their “native-style” goods from multibillion dollar companies just to save a few bucks that the disrespect starts. The things we make are sacred to us and our cultures. While we do offer a lot of goods for public purchase, there are some items that are sacred and only used for ceremonial purposes, or gifted because of honorable reasons.
Appropriation
You find yourself on a random third-party website with a “Native Indian Rasta Style Chief War Headdress Pow Wow Edition” in your cart because it’s the perfect finishing touch to your Sexy Pocahontas costume, ready to hit “BUY.”
The above example is inappropriate but due to misrepresentation in modern culture and misleading depictions throughout history, it can be hard to see for some.
Sacred items like War Bonnets are worn with little regard to their cultural significance. These are pieces of cultures that carry an importance that coincides with respect and acknowledgment. When someone dresses up in a hurtful manner it may be just fun for them but it also cements generations of torment experienced by the latter. They’re reminded of their elders being executed in front of them while they were forced to unlearn their languages or of their female family members that are missing or murdered.
When Halloween is over costumes are thrown away or shoved in a box to never be seen again while Indigenous people across the world still live in uninhabitable environments with inexplainable struggles. Reservations without clean drinking water, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and treaties not being honored are just a few of the many hardships experienced within Indigenous communities. Turning cultures into costumes does little to pay homage to the culture itself but instead helps re-enforce negative stereotypes and further misinformation.
If you find yourself inspired by the resilience of Indigenous people and want to reflect appropriately, contact an Indigenous-owned business and show your support by helping them fund their community. Reaching out to your local tribe and attending a public event is a great way to further your education while also showing solidarity. Plus, you’ll never get the chance to try frybread if you don’t attend.
The True Story of Pocahontas: Historical Myths vs Sad Reality
Here’s another great reference from Simon Fraser University.