Headdresses and Cultural Appropriation

 Here comes a post that is meant to make you think… and one that may differ from how you grew up or what you are used to. It deals with how we teach the Native Americans in schools at this time of year, and how we can do a better job of it. However, I am no expert on the topic. My expertise is in diversity, equity, and inclusion. I offer these thoughts humbly and in hopes I’d better understanding for myself and for all.

My focus is the wearing of a headdress in school Thanksgiving events. It’s been done for years… I know I had my own special feathers. I know that when my family traveled west in the 80s, my sisters and I bought and donned headdresses. We didn’t think anything of it then, just that it was fun. Maybe, if anything, we saw it as being educated, diverse, and aware of people whose lives are different from mine.

This isn’t the 80s now, and society has moved on. I’m talking about the buzzword “cultural appropriation”, but I’m also talking about an understanding of the many diverse indigenous cultures. (An aside: the Wampanoag of that apocryphal first Thanksgiving did not wear the big headdresses…)

If you are choosing to wear a headdress— war bonnet— for a school event, take a minute and ask yourself why. Maybe your answer is that it’s fun, or that you want to show appreciation for the first Americans. I get it!

Now ask yourself what you know about the feathered regalia. Do you know that in many Native groups, this was a ceremonial headgear representing earned tribal respect…an honor for elders or warriors… an item of spiritual importance.

I know you want to honor the Natives but would you be honoring the Jewish people by wearing a yarmulke to school on Chanukah or honoring the Catholics by dressing as the Pope? Perhaps I exaggerate, but I think you see the religious/spiritual slant. And then, the honor element remains. Does the costumification (new word!) of a cultural honor diminish the honor? My hunch is this is not your intent.

So, then, how can we teach children and celebrate without stepping inappropriately on others’ traditions? I’m still trying to figure this out. Definitely it helps to read about cultures and look at authentic pictures from people whose traditions differ from our own. Do so humbly, with gentle curiosity and intense respect.

Also, learn about the modern day experience of the target culture. What’s happening on and off the reservations? What happened to children who were separated from their tribes and forced to go fo boarding schools away from their communities in order to be modernized? Do a service project to help with poverty or literacy in the current Native worlds. Learn a craft or a recipe. Take a virtual field trip. Listen to music or watch an authentic film.

My friends are people with beautiful intentions. Many of us are parents or teachers. We work hard, we care, and we are tired. But we can grow.

Let these thoughts simmer. Then, next time a celebration comes up, ponder how we can best honor the people we are celebrating.

Note: this article might be helpful to folks who are interested in learning more.

"How to Talk to Kids About Thanksgiving"