Misappropriation and the Case of the Yellow Crotch

So the other weekend I was in Los Angeles for the Beyond Buckskin Lookbook photoshoot. In the midst of the shoot, I was talking with Nicholas Galanin about possible Lookbook ideas that Bethany Yellowtail had proposed (she was the photoshoot organizer and stylist).

We pulled up Google Images and searched the term 'Lookbook.' We scrolled down, and down, and then our attention was drawn to one questionable image (left).

“WHAT IS THAT. Click it!”

What came up on the screen was, well, look at it.

Eagle Spirit Break Down

With a post title like 'Eagle Spirit Break Down' you might imagine a cool post about fusing tradish with the mod, kinda like pulling some A Tribe Called Red beats. But alas, that is not what this post is about. Instead, I'm forced to summon my semi-famous Etsy-call-out stance, and bring attention to another bad face in the crowd.

Man, sometimes our world can be so beautiful - it can be awesome, full of potential, kind of fun, with good times all around. But then, some darkness has to come along and destroy our positive sense of humanity (and when I say 'our', you know that I'm pretty much just talking about myself).

Indian Headdresses Should Not Be On Etsy

But, they are.

And you can find a couple hundred options to pick from.

Native Appropriations blogger Adrienne Keene has already explained over and over again why you can't wear a hipster headdress, and other writers Kate Burch, Mimi Thi Nguyen, and Julia at a la garconniere (among others) have also shared their perspectives on the matter (yes, it is beginning to feel a weensy bit repetitive).

Your Elder’s Name is Google

So, it's been 5 days since I wrote about the 'Native scene' on Etsy, where I essentially make a few brash statements that can be summed up as follows:

1. If you go on Etsy and search 'Native American,' it is difficult to find items that are actually 'Native American' (and, just to be clear, I mean, 'made by Native Americans'), instead you will find items made by non-Natives, but inspired by Native cultures:
• 23,474 items come up when you search 'native american'
• 7,765 items for 'american Indian'
• 3,326 items for 'Navajo'
2. Non-Natives continue to use the 'Native American' label as a marketing tactic to sell their work and make money, sometimes it is even in violation of IACA. As Noelle Shaw pointed out "It is blatant cultural theft for profit" and "It is offensive and illegally undermines authentic Native American art markets exponentially."

Etsy Is A Breeding Ground For....

Etsy is a breeding ground for Native American stereotypes, tackiness, and tastelessness. Yea I'm being crude, rude, and blunt. But it needs to be said (see the "Native Princess and Sky Quilted Vintage Purple Meditation Wrap Kimono Vest by MountainGirlClothing" to the left - hey, it's on sale too).

Ok, so, the deal on Etsy - Etsy is "the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace." In other words, people make stuff, find vintage stuff, and then sell it on Etsy in their cyber shops. In theory, it is a great way to launch small businesses. Think about it, you can operate a small business out of your home in rural Tinyville and reach millions of people throughout the world with just a few clicks. In theory, it is a fantastic resource for artists and 'crafters'.

Top 10 Native Appropriations in Fashion for 2011

It's that time of year! When everyone posts their Top 10 of 2011 Lists, and here is my list of the top Native appropriations in fashion for 2011 (take THAT, Los Angeles Times!):

10. Forever 21's Cheap Knock-Offs: We can always count on Forever 21 to give us some great cheap options for any fashion trend. I even make my students go to F21 as part of a Tribal Trend Scavenger Hunt assignment. They never fail to bring in stellar images of some wacky fringed and feathered bodily ruckus.

Intermission: The Brutal Reality

For the past several days, I've been highlighting Native American and First Nations artists and small businesses, in hopes that people will buy directly from Native artists this holiday season. And I love focusing this blog on talented individuals (and their creativity and awesomeness), but sometimes I need to post about issues of misappropriation, misuse, and misrepresentation.

I'd rather have this entire blog focus on 'Native-produced fashion,' but in our crazy world, unacceptable things occur, and I have to post about completely ridiculous things, because completely ridiculous things occur. And, unfortunately, they occur more often than we'd like to know about.

So here's an intermission post, where I write about the ridiculousness.