Is buying Indigenous Designed Jewelry Cultural Appropriation?
The Cultural Appropriation Cat is a fun-loving meme found on blogs.
Excellent question.
Cultural appropriation is defined as follows:
noun
the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.
Some examples of companies that have practiced cultural appropriation include Urban Outfitters and Ink & Alloy. If it is a non-native business or person is branding something as “native”, “tribal” or even a name like “Navajo”, back away slowly.
Generally, if an Indigenous maker grows up either connected to or within their community and culture, they won’t make and sell specific ceremonial items to the general public that would not be appropriate for non-indigenous folx. We like how Jamie Okuma addresses it in her FAQs: “She does not design pieces with ceremonial or culturally sensitive materials.” Here at Moonture, we also will not make and sell ceremonial items.
Whenever possible, it best to purchase directly from Indigenous artists or businesses. We love supporting our fellow businesses like Trickster Company, Piitkaq, Kivliq, Adrienne Whitewood, and Eighth Generation. Beyond Buckskin also has an excellent list to Buy Native.
Gunalchéesh!
-M
