CHIEF WAHOO’S REMOVAL IS SMALL STEP FORWARD
End cultural appropriation, writes Angela Tycholaz.
The Cleveland Indians have finally heeded calls to end cultural appropriation. Removing Chief Wahoo from the playing field should be a clarion call to the yahoos who insist on misappropriating Indigenous cultures: no more.
Sports mascots, Pocahontas costumes, or feathered headdresses at music festivals may seem like benign acts, perhaps even well-intentioned symbolic expressions of appreciation for First Nations cultural heritage. But such things are, in fact, examples of cultural appropriation. How are Edmontonians, in particular, to navigate this issue in these politically correct times?
Just last year at Saskatoon’s folk festival, Ukrainian dance choreographer Serhij Koroliuk faced scrutiny for attempting to honour First Nations people by having his performers dance powwow. Indigenous entrepreneur and poet Janelle Pewapsconias publicly criticized the dance, saying “it is not up to white people to decide for us how we can be honoured.”
Clearly, the dance’s execution did not match the intent. And Pewapsconias asked why Indigenous dancers were not commissioned for the powwow dance performed in a city with one of the highest populations of Indigenous people in Canada.
Art and dance tell a story. Part of the problem with appropriating Indigenous art forms is that Indigenous peoples have long had traditional protocols in sharing stories that have included seeking permission before repeating a tale told by another. Winona Wheeler, professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Saskatchewan and member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, says, “In the Cree world, all knowledge is not knowable. Some knowledge is kept in the family lines, other kinds of knowledge have to be earned.”
Who is listening is significant to the kind of story and information that can be shared; a relationship needs to be established between teller and listener. And preservation of traditional protocol is essential to recovering knowledge
Issues around cultural appropriation do not negate collaboration.
authentically because it respects the story and its teller.
If Canada is to reach a place of reconciliation with First Nations people, Canadians must refuse forms of cultural appropriation and instead choose to engage responsibly, which takes time and effort. Such ethics should include emphasis placed on cultural sensitivity in policy making and acknowledgment of the inequity endured by Indigenous communities.
Issues around cultural appropriation do not negate collaboration. Instead, positive responses can strengthen Native representation and voice: curriculum writers can incorporate teachings on colonialism from the Indigenous peoples’ perspectives, Canadian art galleries can refuse art that appropriates Native culture, the Canada Council for the Arts can make art grants more available for Indigenous artists, and publishing and film agencies can ensure ethicality by respecting traditional storytelling protocols.
Artists, entrepreneurs, and policy makers who want to embark on projects that are inspired by Indigenous cultural heritage would be wise to seek consultation from Indigenous Elders on how to avoid misappropriation. Canadians can further their efforts in reconciliation with First Nations peoples by supporting collaborations that empower, not appropriate, Indigenous stories.
Indigenous peoples can only hope to have the most egregious symbols of cultural appropriation removed (so long, Chief Wahoo) and that will spark a trickle-down effect of highlighting other well-intentioned but still offensive forms of appropriation.
It is with this understanding in mind that Edmontonians can be proud to host the upcoming world-première debut of Ancestors and Elders at the Jubilee Auditorium in April. Ukrainian Shumka dancers will be performing alongside multidisciplinary Indigenous artists from Treaty 6 territory exploring the shared values — as well as respected differences — between Ukrainian settlers and First Nations people. As a Metis woman myself, I will be enjoying this evening out with my Ukrainian husband!