With Halloween and Thanksgiving right around the corner, the controversy surrounding the appropriation of Native American culture again comes to the forefront of discussions and debates. From college and professional team mascots, culturally insensitive Halloween costumes with Native American symbols and caricatures plastered on advertisements for food brands and more, various groups have drawn different conclusions on where the line should be drawn between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation.
According to National Geographic, Native Americans “make up only one percent of the population in the United States, but the names and images of Indians are everywhere… these symbols of the European-American narrative ignore the genocide, disease and cultural devastation brought to native communities.”
Much of the controversy surrounding the use of Native American images, names and symbols stems from the tumultuous relationship established by the European conquest and settlement of the “New World.” Even the term “American-Indian” is regarded as a label indigenous people didn’t choose. The term originated from explorer Christopher Columbus’ erroneous assumption that he had landed in the West Indies when he landed in the Bahamas and highlighted the problems with European conquest — the forceful imposition of western ways onto the people already living in the newly discovered land.
Another complaint of indigenous people is the fact that the holiday season neglects to acknowledge the hardships and maltreatment that native people have faced since the beginning of the age of exploration. Since 1970, National Day of Mourning has been observed on the fourth Thursday of November, the same day as Thanksgiving. The day serves as a reminder of modern-day Native Americans’ struggles and the widespread demolition of the native people and their culture.
When it comes to deciding whether or not a personal action or word appropriates native culture, I think the delineation is simple — if you aren’t being respectful, don’t do it. I understand that many of the things we do and say relating to indigenous cultures are done without so much as a second thought, but taking a moment to reflect on the consequences of our actions can make all the difference. Even if your intentions are not to be harmful, if you don’t know how something you have said or done may be perceived, stop and think or even ask a friend. When in doubt, take the extra time and effort to ensure that you are respecting Native American culture. Make sure you are appreciating, not appropriate.
Photo: J. Leung
