Category Archives: Pan-Indian

The do’s, don’ts, maybes, and I-don’t-knows of cultural appropriation.

Posted on January 30, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

Cultural appropriation is a seriously hot-button topic.  It ranges from the aggressively entitled stance of, “I can do whatever I want!” to the perpetually angry approach of “everything is cultural appropriation!”.  Of course, the former is a much larger portion … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural appropriation, Culture, Decolonisation, Metis beadwork, Pan-Indian, Representation of natives | Tagged , , , , , , | 42 Comments

You’re Métis? So which of your parents is an Indian?

Posted on December 20, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

In a previous post, I described what it is like as an Alberta Métis to come to Quebec and realise that ‘Métis’ does not mean the same thing here.  I’m not a shut-in…I realised that there were different definitions out … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Culture, First Nations, Half-breed, Kinship, Lac Ste. Anne, Métis, Metis beadwork, Michif, Pan-Indian, Pan-Métis, Representation of natives | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 66 Comments

Images that make you go hmmmm.

Posted on November 10, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

Every once in a while I come across an image in my daily life that has an immediate impact on me. (You’ve already had my opinion on ‘native-themed’ costumes.)  First comes the flood of feelings.  Annoyance, frustration, confusion.  Then I … Continue reading →

Posted in Alienation, Culture, Injustice, Law, Pan-Indian, Representation of natives | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

On wearing us as costumes.

Posted on October 31, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

So, on the topic of ‘ethnic costumes for Halloween’.  A certain poster campaign and the spin off posters mocking the message have once more got people discussing whether or not this practice is racist. That you don’t understand why I … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Injustice, Pan-Indian, Representation of natives | 28 Comments

Pan-Indianism, Pan-Métisism

Posted on May 2, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

My last post was about what non-natives learn about us, and thus how we are portrayed by them. I suppose this post is about what we learn (and teach) about ourselves. Pan-Indianism If you’ve ever been to an urban ceremony, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Métis, Medicine Wheel, Michif, Nakota Sioux, Pan-Indian, Pan-Métis, Plains Cree, Stoney, Turtle Island, Urban Aboriginal | 3 Comments