11-Mar-98 23:01:10, Dale Shipp wrote to Dog Patch
          Subject: Re: heritage
 -=>> On 03-11-98  01:37, Dog Patch <=-
 -=>> spoke to Santos Iruegas about Re: heritage <=-
 DP>> It's the wanna-be Indians I'm talking about . I am proud also to
 DP>> have some blood and wish more could be done to preserve the culture ,
 DP>> but I can only  see harm coming from the " I got a drop in me's" . I
 DP>> know people who live in Chattanooga who can not go in public unless the
 DP>> dress " indian" . Hey these are the same people who show up at the
 DP>> gaterings to sale trinkets to the  public .  ( these are people with no
 DP>> direct link to any tribe or proof of  ancestry) 
 DS>   That group of people is another matter.   They may well be exploiting
 DS>   both the native people and the others who are purchasing their goods
 DS>   by giving them a false sense of sharing and helping.  Things like
 DS>   dream catchers come to mind here.
  Dale, perhaps I have a bit different view point, being Choctaw-Comanche and
  a "Trader" at gatherings and Pow Wow's, I certianly agree that anyone 
selling  
  something as "INDIAN" made that is not, is wrong, however at almost all if
  not all of the ones I attend in order to sell an item as "Native american"
  made the seller must have an ID number or be certified as a Craftsman by
  one of the tribes, and this must be in plain view(in some cases the item
  it's self must be tagged with the makers regesteration number) I also see
  and understand the need for non Indian craftsmen, at these shows and dances
  sometimes they are the only ones who show up,(my wife whos not native 
  american, is sometimes the only vendor with ribbon shirts and shawls that
  she makes) and these folks are sometimes more aware of whats appropreate
  at these get togethers than are some of the Native American vendors,some
  of whom are some of the biggest phonies and Ripoff artist I've ever met,
  Had words with one such not too long ago, after he contuined to loudly
  BS with his frends all during the Grand entry of the Pow Wow (also did
  not bother to stand during the flag song or veterans song ,or the prayer)
  did not do much good but I did get my 2 cents worth in.
  anyway like Dennis Miller says this is just my opinion and I could be 
rong,
  but I don't think so
  Richard 
--- Terminate 4.00/Pro
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