Native Appropriations
{{Infobox website
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| url = {{URL|http://nativeappropriations.com/}}
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| type = Blog
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| language = English
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| owner = Blogger
| author = Adrienne Keene
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| launch_date = {{Start date and age|2010|01|11|df=no}}
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Native Appropriations is a blog that criticizes and analyzes the ways that Indigenous people are depicted in mainstream culture.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/07/27/334495350/q-a-how-is-the-native-college-experience-different |title = Q&A: How Is The Native College Experience Different? | publisher = nprEd |accessdate= April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729043318/http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/07/27/334495350/q-a-how-is-the-native-college-experience-different |archivedate=July 29, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://wknofm.org/post/powwow-party-flub-leads-fashion-line|title=Powwow Party Flub Leads To Fashion Line|date=12 August 2013|publisher=Npr.org|accessdate=6 January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ellecanada.com/fashion/trends/spring-s-least-wanted-fashion-trend-the-co-opting-of-aboriginal-dress/a/74336/2|title=Spring's least-wanted fashion trend: The co-opting of Aboriginal dress|work=Elle Canada|accessdate=6 January 2015}} Active since 2010, the website is created and maintained by Cherokee Nation scholar Adrienne Keene.
Subjects
Some of the most frequently discussed topics on the blog are "hipster headdresses", the Native American mascot controversy and what the author deems to be appropriation and misrepresentations of Native American cultures in Hollywood movies. Targets of critique include the Washington Redskins use of an ethnic slur as the name for their football team,{{cite web|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/14457-anti-redskins-ad-released-ahead-of-super-bowl-by-national-congress-of-american-Indians|title=Bustle|date=3 February 2014 |publisher=Bustle.com|accessdate=6 January 2015}} The Lone Ranger movie remake,{{cite web|url=http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/07/08/real-problem-lone-ranger-movie-its-racism-stupid-150323|title=The Real Problem With a Lone Ranger Movie? It's the Racism, Stupid|work=Indian Country Today Media Network.com|accessdate=6 January 2015}} depictions of skin walkers and Native American spiritual beliefs in the work of author J. K. Rowling,Keene, Dr. Adrienne, "[http://nativeappropriations.com/2016/03/magic-in-north-america-part-1-ugh.html Magic in North America Part 1: Ugh.]" at Native Appropriations, 8 March 2016. Accessed 9 April 2016. the wearing of a hipster headdress and statements by musician Christina Fallin,{{cite web|url=http://newspaperrock.bluecorncomics.com/2014/03/oklahoma-governors-daughter-in-headdress.html|title=Newspaper Rock|publisher=Newspaperrock.bluecorncomics.com|accessdate=6 January 2015}} Halloween "Pocahottie" costumes,{{cite web|url=http://www.ellecanada.com/fashion/trends/spring-s-least-wanted-fashion-trend-the-co-opting-of-aboriginal-dress/a/74336/2#.U9ddJU9O7IU|title=Spring's least-wanted fashion trend: The co-opting of Aboriginal dress|work=Elle Canada|accessdate=6 January 2015}} and Urban Outfitters.{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_23884351/fashion-designer-paul-frank-teams-up-native-american|title=Fashion designer Paul Frank teams up with Native American artists|publisher=Denverpost.com|accessdate=6 January 2015|date=17 August 2013}}
Though much of the blog's commentary is critical, it is not exclusively so: Nelly Furtado, for example, has been praised for her respectful engagement with Native hoop and shawl dancers.{{cite web|url=http://nativeappropriations.com/2012/05/nelly-furtados-big-hoops-video-native-dancers-represent.html|title=Nelly Furtado's "Big Hoops" Video: Native dancers represent!|work=Native Appropriations|date=8 May 2012|accessdate=6 January 2015}}
Coverage and influence
Keene observes that Native Americans are barely represented in mainstream media, and journalists often turn to non-Native sources, rather than to Natives themselves, on the rare occasions when they do cover Native issues.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-27423033|title=BBC News - #BBCtrending: Native Americans reject 'super drunk' label|work=BBC News|date=20 May 2014|accessdate=6 January 2015}} However, the increasing popularity of her blog and appearance on other social media such as Twitter has made her a widely quoted expert{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=211370951 |title = Powwow Party Flub Leads To Fashion Line | publisher = NPR |accessdate=April 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428011727/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=211370951 |archivedate=April 28, 2014 }} on matters to do with appropriations, with mentions in the BBC, NPR, The Guardian,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/fake-native-american-clothing-dark-side-fashion|title=Fake Native American clothing ranges show the darker side of fashion|author=Tansy Hoskins|work=the Guardian|date=22 August 2013|accessdate=6 January 2015}} the Phoenix New Times,{{cite web|url=http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2012/09/aztec_navajo_headdress_fashion_urban_outfitters_sanrio_black_label.php|title=Bloggers Adrienne Keene and Dr. Jessica Metcalfe on Native Headdresses, Patterns, and "Aztec" Labels in Popular Fashion|author=Rebekah Zemansky|date=18 September 2012|work=Jackalope Ranch|accessdate=6 January 2015}} Al Jazeera,{{cite web|url=http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201107062007-009227|title=Don't Trend on My Culture|accessdate=6 January 2015}} Time magazine{{cite news|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/03/johnny-depp-as-tonto-is-the-lone-ranger-racist/|title=Johnny Depp as Tonto: Is 'The Lone Ranger' Racist? - TIME.com|work=Time|access-date=6 January 2015|date=3 July 2013}} and other major news outlets. The Guardian has credited her with leading a successful campaign against stereotypical imagery created by Paul Frank Industries: the company later invited Keene and other experts to help design new product lines working with Native artists.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://nativeappropriations.com/ Native Appropriations - Representations Matter] - official website
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Category:Native American cultural appropriation
Category:Internet properties established in 2010
Category:Media coverage and representation