Friday, June 26, 2020

When we know better, we should do better

Now look, I am not writing/posting this to start an argument...seriously, I am not. I just want to keep the information and knowledge flowing and maybe just reach one more person about this matter.

I was at the craft store the other day. I don't like to go in there unless there is something specific that I need and I had two things specifically that I needed. On my way to the areas that I needed supplies from, I ran across this display and it stopped me in my tracks. 

I have made many posts about this situation on FB, have commented on others events and posts that include these sorts of things, all to varying degrees of the conversation descending into flames. People think me trying to pass along some information to them is me trying to kill their fun time. Yes, I had a yoga lady state that to me once. Her event popped up in my newsfeed for "Dreamcatchers and Wine" and I very nicely told her that it might be better to hold a different event, or at least drop the alcohol part, unless the person teaching the class was Native (clarifying, that even if it was a Native teaching it, there should still not be any alcohol). That.did.not.go.well. Her yoga Zen crumbled on the spot and she accused me of having nothing better to do than to ruin the fun she and her students were trying to have. Alrighty then.

Back to the picture and display of items for sale. Another contention of mine is the word "dreamcatcher" being tossed around. People think if it's round and has feathers hanging from it, it's a dream catcher. I a lot of what I see people calling dream catchers is what I would consider a mandala. And I word it "what I would consider" because I do not claim to be speaking for anyone else other than myself and what I was taught. Even among Natives there can be disagreements and varying opinions over things as this. Even the word(s) dream catcher...is it one word or two?

 PLEASE do not buy dream catchers from this place, corner gas stations, flea markets, etc. when they are clearly MADE IN CHINA, and do nothing to support the culture of our Indigenous tribes. When we make items like this, it's like a prayer and we fill these with our good energies (that is super important! We think good thoughts when we make these items so they are infused with nothing but positivity!) They are a strong part of our culture and are not made in sweat factories! Even then, after I make an item, I cleanse it in smoke before it goes to another person. Can you even begin to imagine the conditions the people who made these other dream catchers are working in? Do they know anything about the meaning of them? And do they believe?

There are MANY authentic dream catchers, and other Native cultural items, that can be found across the United States and I encourage you to seek them out over something like these. I get that they appeal to people with their colors and fru-fru-ness, but trust me, you can get something similar or even better that is authentically made. I keep my prices around what I see in this display, so it is possible to get something that's not made in China for a similar price. 

Thank you for understanding. Wa do, unalii (thank you, friend) (please note that I am not a carded tribal member and do not advertise my items that I make as "Native American Made". If I do sell them, I have to word it "Native American inspired." and I clearly state to people that while I try to honor and follow the traditional ways, I am not a carded Native American and therefore cannot claim the items as authentic.

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