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Selling Out Native Americans
America is a capitalist society. We are product driven, consuming what we want, when we want it. We have even managed to commercialize spirituality -- especially that belonging to America's first people. Large department stores sell knock-off items of spiritual importance and well-known companies and sporting teams exploit Native images in the form of logos and mascots. Men and women without blood ties to Native cultures -- or those with a minuscule amount -- act as leaders, guides, medicine people and spiritual leaders, profiting from workshops, best-selling books, crafts, artwork, movies and false ceremonies.
Native people all over the country are outraged by such commercialization; their culture being stripped, pieces sold to gullible buyers. Their traditions and beliefs blend with others to form counterfeit concepts -- intertwined with stereotypes found in books or movies -- that is now marketed as an actual "religion." The so-called teachers gain authenticity from mainstream America (including publishers and the press) by fooling the public, staking claim to a heritage they truly know little about. They play Indian, looking the part, using buzzwords and stoic language -- yet steering away from "real" Indians, afraid of being challenged in front of their followers.
Mainstream American often accepts their "truths" at face value, without knowing the person is acting out of greed, arrogance and self-appointed superiority. Genuine spiritual leaders would not set out to turn a profit from their teachings. They would not sell a sacred ceremony or conduct a workshop on how to find your inner animal totem. They do not charge for their services, offer a "Shaman" website or create tarot cards. They will, however, instruct those who need instructing and heal those who need healing -- within their own community. Their lives are dedicated to their work. They are neither greedy nor looking for prestige. Their lives belong to their calling, and to the people within their community.
People to watch out for: Mary Summer Rain, Jamie Samms, Sun Bear and the Bear Tribe, Chief Red Fox, Iron Thunderhorse, Harley Swift Deer Reagan, Evelyn Eaton, O'Shinna, Ted Andrews, Jamake Highwater, Shequish Ohoho, Bird Brother, Mary Elizabeth Marlow, Vision Quest Inc, Sedonia Cahill, The Great Round Organization, Cyfus McDonald, Oshena, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Wallace Black Elk, Alonso Blacksmith, Carlos Casta~neda, Mary Thunder, Oceana, Ghostwolf, Barking Tree, Lynn Andrews and Barking Tree.
What they are peddling: Sweat ceremonies/ various workshops/ sun dances/ shaman healing/ power animals/ vision quests/ dreamcatchers/ medicine wheels/ CDs/ pre-made sweat tents/ medicine crystals/ tarot cards/ psychic readings/ Native American weddings or naming ceremonies/ pipe ceremonies/ and books on various topics.
America is a capitalist society. We are product driven, consuming what we want, when we want it. We have even managed to commercialize spirituality -- especially that belonging to America's first people. Large department stores sell knock-off items of spiritual importance and well-known companies and sporting teams exploit Native images in the form of logos and mascots. Men and women without blood ties to Native cultures -- or those with a minuscule amount -- act as leaders, guides, medicine people and spiritual leaders, profiting from workshops, best-selling books, crafts, artwork, movies and false ceremonies.
Native people all over the country are outraged by such commercialization; their culture being stripped, pieces sold to gullible buyers. Their traditions and beliefs blend with others to form counterfeit concepts -- intertwined with stereotypes found in books or movies -- that is now marketed as an actual "religion." The so-called teachers gain authenticity from mainstream America (including publishers and the press) by fooling the public, staking claim to a heritage they truly know little about. They play Indian, looking the part, using buzzwords and stoic language -- yet steering away from "real" Indians, afraid of being challenged in front of their followers.
Mainstream American often accepts their "truths" at face value, without knowing the person is acting out of greed, arrogance and self-appointed superiority. Genuine spiritual leaders would not set out to turn a profit from their teachings. They would not sell a sacred ceremony or conduct a workshop on how to find your inner animal totem. They do not charge for their services, offer a "Shaman" website or create tarot cards. They will, however, instruct those who need instructing and heal those who need healing -- within their own community. Their lives are dedicated to their work. They are neither greedy nor looking for prestige. Their lives belong to their calling, and to the people within their community.
People to watch out for: Mary Summer Rain, Jamie Samms, Sun Bear and the Bear Tribe, Chief Red Fox, Iron Thunderhorse, Harley Swift Deer Reagan, Evelyn Eaton, O'Shinna, Ted Andrews, Jamake Highwater, Shequish Ohoho, Bird Brother, Mary Elizabeth Marlow, Vision Quest Inc, Sedonia Cahill, The Great Round Organization, Cyfus McDonald, Oshena, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Wallace Black Elk, Alonso Blacksmith, Carlos Casta~neda, Mary Thunder, Oceana, Ghostwolf, Barking Tree, Lynn Andrews and Barking Tree.
What they are peddling: Sweat ceremonies/ various workshops/ sun dances/ shaman healing/ power animals/ vision quests/ dreamcatchers/ medicine wheels/ CDs/ pre-made sweat tents/ medicine crystals/ tarot cards/ psychic readings/ Native American weddings or naming ceremonies/ pipe ceremonies/ and books on various topics.
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Re: a warning about leaders
Wed, June 17, 2009 - 8:35 PMI have had experience with one of those people listed, and i would have to concure with you, at least on my personal experience. Disingenuous would be a generous word. -
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Re: a warning about leaders
Thu, June 18, 2009 - 1:36 AMthank you so much you have made my night..I was on face book..the american Indian/native american museum posted an ad..and I rsponded..how many Natives work there and asked for solidarity..they removed all my comments..but not before I saved this: you can see the non natives biggotry:
Her name is below..Sarah Stierch
Franklin Mitchell at 11:20pm June 17
how many Natives are employeed there..answer me that 100%? well at the African American Museums..they have nearly 100% african American employees..makes sense to me...Solidary NOW!
Sarah Stierch at 11:21pm June 17
I'm an intern. I'm non-native. Comments like this make me feel GREAT! :P
non-native. Comments like this make me feel GREAT! :P
Franklin Mitchell at 11:59pm June 17
Great biggot, I will save this and send it to your Boss
Franklin Mitchell at 12:00am June 18
or maybe I took you wrong..if so sorry
Michael Fox at 12:12am June 18
Ouch! Sorry about that Sarah. As a former SI employee I know how much interns do and that without your assistance NMAI would be a very quiet and undervisited place. Carry on! and know that your hard work is appreciated.
Roz Dotson at 1:17am June 18
Franklin Mitchel...when was the last time you were at NMAI?when did you count how many Natives are employeed there? why are you comparing instead of supporting? or applying for a job there...? Solidary...? what's that? just curious...
Franklin Mitchell at 2:41am June 18
oh poor Sarah who probably went to Georgetown or Vaser...poor lil white girl..I have done my research....so Roz don't judge me..The autry Native american and western museum in California has NO Natives running the joint..interns have a money supply by rich parents or trust funds..so get out of my face..I can name more Natives than you know with degrees in art and curating museums that can't get a break..so tell it to the Sheeple..there are Natives and there are apples..so get out my face!
Franklin Mitchell at 2:42am June 18
Roz...get a dictionary I suggest the cambridge or better yet the Oxford unabridged
Franklin Mitchell at 2:52am June 18
Hey Michael nice cowboy hat by the . And, don't talk to me about diversity....diversity in hiring means they hire a woman or color to fit two slots..a woman and a person of color..where do the men of color fit in?
Franklin Mitchell at 3:02am June 18
Solidarity:
n.
A union of interests, purposes, or sympathies among members of a group; fellowship of responsibilities and interests: “A downtrodden class … will never be able to make an effective protest until it achieves solidarity” (H.G. Wells).
[French solidarité, from solidaire, interdependent, from Old French, in common, from Latin solidus, solid, whole. See solid.]
Franklin Mitchell at 3:04am June 18
* "Diversity" means more than just acknowledging and/or tolerating difference. Diversity is a set of conscious practices that involve:
... Read More
Franklin Mitchell at 3:06am June 18
Diversity:www.black-collegian.com/issues...d.shtml
Franklin Mitchell at 3:07am June 18
Do you think you are "Indian at heart" or were an Indian in a past life? Do you admire native ways and want to incorporate them into your life and do your own version of a sweat lodge or a vision quest? Have you seen ads, books, and websites that offer to train you to be come a shaman in an easy number of steps, a few days on the weekend, or for a fee?
Have you really thought this all the way through? Have you thought about how native people feel about what you might want to do?
Please think about these important points before you take that fateful step and expend time, money, and emotional investment:
Native people DO NOT believe it is ethical to charge money for any ceremony or teaching. Any who charge you even a penny are NOT authentic.
Native traditionalists believe the ONLY acceptable way to transmit traditional teachings is orally and face-to-face. Any allegedly traditional teachings in books or on websites are NOT authentic.... Read More
Franklin Mitchell at 3:17am June 18
and there is no word in any Native Culture that translates "Art" so therefore it is spiritual..and the above applies...By the way Mr. Fox..you should study the History of the "cowboy" before you Proudly wear that hat.
Bles you Gumbo for being you! -
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Re: a warning about leaders
Thu, June 18, 2009 - 1:54 AMThis tribe is largely inactive, but this is a good place to post about it too. Who knows, maybe you should be moderator there. It needs someone with passion.
tribes.tribe.net/bringindownlaw -
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Re: a warning about leaders
Thu, June 18, 2009 - 1:54 AMseriously think about being mod there, i would vote for you.
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