‘Indian’ Halloween costumes ‘demean Indigenous women’

EDMONTON Dressing up “Indian” for Halloween not only demeans those of Indigenous heritage, it can fuel more violence against women, says a MacEwan University adviser who is presenting a talk Thursday as part of a day to honour those missing and murdered.

“I’ve grown up with and worked with strong, resilient Indigenous women my entire life. These costumes not only demean Indigenous women but also sexualize them, and that leads to negative perceptions,” Keestin O’Dell, a student engagement adviser with kihêw waciston Indigenous Centre, said Wednesday in advance of his Thursday presentation.

“North America has a long history of dressing up ‘Indian’ and these Halloween costumes allow the colonial narrative that it is OK to disregard Indigenous pleas for respect and decency.”

Part of O’Dell’s research includes analysis of 56 costumes — many of which include fake eagle feathers, beaded headbands and faux-hide dresses — from two online Canadian Halloween retailers.

“I will discuss the titles, the descriptions and the characteristics of the costumes,” he said of the talk, My Culture is Not a Costume: How Halloween Costumes Sexualize Indigenous Women.

“I’ll also speak about the stereotypes presented within the costumes, the history of dressing up ‘Indian’ and debunking the myth of honouring or just having harmless fun while wearing these costumes.”

O’Dell’s 11 a.m. Thursday talk at the Robbins Health Learning Centre is part of Sexual Violence Awareness Week and will help mark the day of remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The presentation is free and open to the public.