Category Archives: Representation of natives

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 authentic native american, cultural appropriation, hipsters in headdresses, indian hat, native appropriations, tumblr NDN community, why can't I wear a headdress | 42 Comments

The “that isn’t traditional” meme.

Posted on January 14, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

Dude. Say it with me. Traditions aren’t technology-dependent. I feel like I’ve said this so often, it should be indelibly emblazoned on the mind of every person who has ever lived, but the sad fact of my limited vocal reach … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Culture, Injustice, Lac Ste. Anne, Representation of natives | Tagged frozen in time, gill nets, Interim Metis Harvesting Agreement, Métis Nation of Alberta, powdered wigs, Powley decision, that's not traditional, traditional native hunting | 26 Comments

Questioning assumptions, Sawyer did it, will you?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

I’ve been reading a lot of Robert J. Sawyer lately, because as pointed out by Adam Shaftoe and Matt Moore in the fall 2011 On Spec, he’s a Canadian Sci-Fi author who is surprisingly optimistic in his writing, in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Representation of natives | Tagged Dan Simmons, How much time hunter-gathers work, Hyperion, Ladder theory of civilization, Robert J. Sawyer, The Neanderthal Parallax, What does nomadic mean | 18 Comments

No justice, no peace.

Posted on January 10, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

I hope everyone had a holiday and managed to enjoy it…I used to think that people complaining about putting on weight over the holidays was an exaggeration, but that was back when my metabolism allowed me to gorge myself on … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Alienation, INAC, Indigenous law, Injustice, Law, Representation of natives | Tagged Aboriginal non-Aboriginal relationship, Historical Treaties, Modern Treaties, RCAP, RCAP 10 years after, RCAP 15 years after, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, What is the RCAP | 14 Comments

Building relationships requires education.

Posted on December 21, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

When it comes to the many challenges that aboriginal peoples face here in Canada, I find I have to strike a balance between identifying those problems and trying to come up with solutions for them. Spending too much time on … Continue reading →

Posted in Alienation, Culture, First Nations, Fluency, Language learning, Representation of natives | Tagged Aboriginal languages in Canada, building relationships | 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 Alberta Métis Settlements, Angelique Callihoo, Chris Andersen metis, David Garneau, definition of Métis, Lac Ste. Anne, Louis Kwarakwante, Louis Riel, Maria Campbell, Métis fiddling, Métis flag, Métis identity, Métis jigging, Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis rights, Métis Sash, Powley test, Red River Métis, Who is Métis | 66 Comments

What is Chief Spence hiding? Not your logical fallacy.

Posted on December 12, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

This is the question of the day (week/month), isn’t it? Cue the accusations of fraud, of theft, of corruption. All made without a shred of evidence to support them. Made as though such statements are self-evident. Self-evidentiary. Obviously true. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alienation, Injustice, Representation of natives | Tagged Attawapiskat corruption, Salaries first nation chiefs, third party management, What is Chief Spence hiding | 61 Comments

Dealing with comments about Attawapiskat

Posted on November 30, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

I still intend to get a series of posts out clarifying issues like First Nations housing, health-care, education and so on, but I have a confession. I haven’t been staying away from the comments sections of articles about Attawapiskat. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, First Nations, INAC, Injustice, James Bay Cree, Representation of natives | Tagged Attawapiskat, Attawapiskat third party management, Auditor General June 2011 report, Canadian Taxpayer Federation, First Nations housing, Harper upset about Attawapiskat, Housing crisis First Nations, Salaries of First Nations Chiefs | 1,014 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 McGill law school, Patricia Nova, Quid Novi | 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