Cultural Appropriation

you will need to research a piece of material culture or ritual that was of great significance to a Native American culture/tribe/people. This can be an item of religious importance, or something that symbolized their identity as a people, such as an important technology (including food), or even a type of art. You can also use an important ritual, religious or secular. Examples: Masks or dolls used by a specific tribe. Types of art, specific designs, specific techniques of weaving, pottery, etc. Pipes (there are many types of pipes, you may want to focus on just one type such as the peace pipe/calumet or effigy pipes). Sweat lodges. Medicines or medicinal practices. Musical instruments or songs. Types of clothing. Please do your best to try and find an item or ritual that can be tied to at least one or several tribes, rather than generalize it to something found among all Native Americans. What item or ritual did you choose and what tribe (or groups) was it originally used by? Give a brief description of the ritual or item. If you chose a ritual, what is it, why was it done, and who participated in it? If an item, who made it, how was it made, and what was its function? If a food, who grew it, how was it prepared? Is the item still made or the ritual still practiced by the current day native peoples? Has anything changed in the way they make the item, or how it is used? If you chose a ritual, has anything changed in the way it is practiced or the purpose of it? Who has the item or ritual been culturally appropriated by and why? Are there differences in how those who have appropriated the item or ritual use it/perform it, versus how it was used by traditional native peoples? Do you think those who have culturally appropriated this item or ritual feel they have done anything wrong? In your research did you find any indication that the Native people who the item or ritual originated with took issue with the appropriation? Do you see this as an innocent or minor act of appropriation, or a major and problematic one? Why?                

Sample Solution