http://dev.cedarmountaindrums.com/index.htm"Cedar Mountain Drums: A Place for Spirit", is a store that sells Native drums, world instruments, etc. It seems to be a business for profiting off of fake shamanism, and selling "Indianness" to pseudo-mystic consumerists and nu-agers. For example, Pinson is charging 300 dollars to do a shamanic "journey" to help you figure out what type of drum he will suggest you buy from him. As part of this profit scheme, he also requires a questionnaire to be filled out, including information about illnesses, etc, giving the impression that one is paying for some sort of shamanic healing advice (perhaps one is, but it's probably dubious and Harner-istic advice). Since when do "shaman's" make up ceremonies to make a special drum prescription? And ofcourse, you still have to pay additionally for the drum once he does the journey and tells you which one to buy.
Not only is he profiting on pseudo-shamanism to prescribe drums for people to purchase, but he teaches that the traditional material used for the drums cause different "chakras" to vibrate, etc. It seems that appropriating the Hindu-Buddhist (ayurvedic/yogic) energetic terminology is standard approach for new-agers and appropriationists. But in truth, "chakra" is a sanskrit term, and has absolutely nothing to do with any form of Native healing, not even Native forms of energy-healing. The East-Indian conception of the energetic-spiritual reality has no relation to American-NDN traditions, yet many new agers assume it is universal terminology for energy and they apply to it just about everything, from sweatlodges to synth music, to colored lights. I wouldn't be surprised if further examination of the website would reveal more promotion of new-agey fake Native spiritual teachings, such as the workshops and teachings they offer. This stands out to me as a typical example of people watering down Native culture in a way that appeals to the consumerist masses and new age appropriationists.
Pinson claims he runs his business as part of his spiritual path. He was told to follow the drum in a vision quest. I personally will never denounce or question a person's vision, but the way he is approaching it is obvious cultural prostitution. He is selling a new-age idea of the Sacred, and presenting it all with "indian-ness". I would ask anyone reading this post, to not support the Cedar Mountain Drums business in any way. To borrow a term from the Declaration of War, they are a "white man's shaman" business.
Below is quoted from the website,
http://dev.cedarmountaindrums.com/cedar_mountain_drums_Workshop.htm"Shamanic Journey Drum Package
Not sure what kind of drum you need? Seeking a little advice on your path?
In this package, you give permission to Patrick to journey for you as to which animal, tree, size and shape drum is tailored for you and your current situation. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire as to what issues you are dealing with and any illnesses / dis-eases you are holding.
The cost of the individual consultation is $300 plus the cost of the drum selected, made and blessed for you by Patrick. Contact Patrick for more information."
