Feathers and Paint: The Misappropriation and Misinterpretation of Native Cultures

Presented by:

Eric Hemenway, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Carol Egbo, Oakland University

Current Practice

The Problem

Potential Solution What Terminology is used? Current Practice

Terminology is chosen by Non-Indigenous people. Indigenous, Anishinaabek/Anishinaabeg, First Nations, First People, Native People, Tribes/Tribal People Instead of: Native American, American Indian, Aboriginal, or Indians

Three Fires (made up of Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi)

Odawa Instead of: Ottawa

Waganakising or Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Naming specific villages for example: Wiikwedonsing (Harbor Springs)

Family or Clan Potential Solution

Make changes at the state level.

3 – H3.0.4 Draw upon traditional 3 – H3.0.4 Draw upon stories of American Indians traditional stories (e.g., Anishinaabeg - Ojibway and/or teachings of (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), Indigenous Peoples who Potawatomi; Menominee; lived in Michigan in Huron Indians) who lived in order to make Michigan in order to make generalizations about generalizations about their their beliefs and beliefs. histories Potential Solution

Materials available at: http://textbooks.wmisd.org

How is the study of Indigenous People approached? Current Practice

Isolated Activities

Current Practice

Feathers and Paint The Problem

The Sacred The Problem

The Sacred The Problem

The Non-Sacred The Problem

The Sacred The Problem

The Sacred The Problem

The Non-Sacred Potential Solution

Shift the focus away from reenacting the 'First Thanksgiving.' Instead, focus on what children can be thankful for in their own lives, and on their families' celebrations of Thanksgiving at home.

Potential Solution

Replacing activities with content-rich and accurate curricular resources.

How are Indigenous People studied? Current Practice

Indigenous People are only studied in the context of history. The Problem The Problem

Indigenous People become People of the Past with no connection to Geography or other areas of social studies. Potential Solution

Potential Solution

Explorations of Sovereignty and Tribal Government The Federally Recognized Tribal Nations of Michigan

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Tribal Court of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Potential Solution

Integration with science Water