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HelpRe: Native American names (U.S. only)
in reply to a message by Theodora'sMommy
I agree that New Agers and hippies are guilty of misusing and capitalizing on symbols from other cultures, but I also believe that Native American peoples have the right to share aspects of their culture with others if they wish to do so. In the Southwest USA, some tribes take a lot of pride in maintaining traditional handiwork and sharing it with others.
A mounted and framed dreamcatcher is being used as a shared symbol of hope and healing by the Little Thunderbirds Drum and Dance Troupe from the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. In recognition of the shared trauma and loss experienced, both at their school during the Red Lake shootings, and by other students who have survived similar school shootings, they have traveled to other schools to meet with students, share songs and stories, and gift them with the dreamcatcher. The dreamcatcher has now been passed from Red Lake to students at Columbine CO, to Sandy Hook CT, to Marysville WA, to Townville SC, to Parkland FL.
A mounted and framed dreamcatcher is being used as a shared symbol of hope and healing by the Little Thunderbirds Drum and Dance Troupe from the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. In recognition of the shared trauma and loss experienced, both at their school during the Red Lake shootings, and by other students who have survived similar school shootings, they have traveled to other schools to meet with students, share songs and stories, and gift them with the dreamcatcher. The dreamcatcher has now been passed from Red Lake to students at Columbine CO, to Sandy Hook CT, to Marysville WA, to Townville SC, to Parkland FL.
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A lot of people are focusing on my dreamcatcher example lol.
In this case they are using an authentic symbolic item in the manner that it was intended. A person hanging a plastic dreamcatcher in their car clearly doesn’t understand the significance or intention.
For further context, this is an item currently hanging in my house. It was made by an artist also named Rebecca Maracle (no relation) from my husband’s reservation. So I am not against owning these objects or supporting real artists. I’m not sure how to demonstrate tge difference I mean any better than I already have. Maybe somebody more articulate who has caught my drift could have a go.
In this case they are using an authentic symbolic item in the manner that it was intended. A person hanging a plastic dreamcatcher in their car clearly doesn’t understand the significance or intention.
For further context, this is an item currently hanging in my house. It was made by an artist also named Rebecca Maracle (no relation) from my husband’s reservation. So I am not against owning these objects or supporting real artists. I’m not sure how to demonstrate tge difference I mean any better than I already have. Maybe somebody more articulate who has caught my drift could have a go.
This message was edited 10/3/2019, 6:40 AM
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