thanks, Kathryn, for your reply.
While i have not seen that happen at 'institutions of higher learning', I have seen ritual spiritual leaders from more innovative arms of their religion of origin- (whether jewish, mysical christain, etc) borrow widely from native tribes and not attribute...or, make up native sounding rituals and SAY they are native in origin - and share them. The problem i see is the lack of attribution...or the faking it and passing off something as native- when the leader has no right to do either. I have not personally been part of a native event i had to pay for, though i have purchased native crafts from stores and individuals at powwows in nyc. (Queens, aich in the 1990s.)
it gets me when someone leads a guided visualization for the audience to connect with some animal they feel connection to and then says- whoopee now you have your native american spirit animal! that is a load of bunk. but i can say that the use of a 'talking stick' during small group meetings (to get people to shut up and listen to each other with intention and focus) has become almost part of the culture, i have seen it used in scores of settings without attribution.
disclaimer. i play fipple flutes which were sold to me as native american style flutes. i love their sound and love to play them, and have never charged money to do so, though i have played in ritual spaces and for healing events. some of the folk who sell flutes have native sounding names they say were given them by tribally affiliated friends, or names that were self claimed as a logo for their flute sales (ie , raven flutes or ghost owl flutes or coyote oldman, etc.) . i don't know what is real or not though the flutemakers say they respect the traditions, wish to stay within them, (and tend to be familiar with specific tribal ways) and state clearly they are not native. some flute makers differentiate the flutes they sell, specifying the tribes they are modeled upon (woodlands or plain style bird, lakota or other, etc.) Or at least some do and some do not . Some get challenged a lot for appropriating tribal affectations which are not real; and in the listserve communities i have participated in, those folks can sometimes get pretty challenged publicly. Mostly they are a bunch of white retired woodworkers who love to make the flute, love to play and share HOW TO make them; and sell them on the side. Some flutemakers more connection and knowledge than others. ANd some always donate flutes each year free to the needy and childrens schools and hospitals as a form of give back for the ones they do sell.
i have a few flutes, only one made my a native american (geri littlejohn), the rest made by makers who were clear about their lineages and seemed respectful (as far as i could tell) about traditional origins of the instrument. it is not all that way of course. I have read posts from some who say clearly it is OK to share the instrument if it is used and attributed correctly...and one or two folks claiming to be native who feel it is entirely inappropriate that whites and other non natives sell, buy or play flutes at all. my disclaimer is i play them. and not for profit but for my satisfaction and other's requests.
thanks for hosting the conversation.
