Posers live in U.K.

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Dear Editor:

I am writing to your newspaper in the hope that some of your readers may be able to pass on to me their opinions and feelings on the growing number of non-Native people in my country who continue to exploit Native Canadian culture.

I admit, as an English, non-Native person, I am not best equipped to comment on the following issues, but I have been dedicated to furthering my understanding of Native Canadian tribal histories and cultures for many years and greatly respect the Native Canadian people and the diversity of their cultures. So it bothers me to se how some of my own countrymen and women continue to misrepresent Native Canadian culture.

The New Age movement, of course, has a lot to answer for and in England numerous groups exploit Native Canadian spirituality in an inappropriate way. The leaders of these groups often purport to be part Native or have "trained" with Native medicine people. They play a dangerous game, these white medicine lodge leaders, and in most cases it is highly unlikely that they have any Indian blood at all.

The "wannabe" groups, those who seek to be Native by dressing up, and sometimes forming their own "tribes," can seem harmless enough, but many are blissfully unaware of real Native Canadian history and culture because much of their learning comes from images projected in old Hollywood movies. Some of these groups even go into schools promoting their own particular brand of Native culture.

I know that the above issues will come as no surprise to Indian people. But for myself, I find these matters upsetting and believe the continued misrepresentation of Native Canadian culture must have a damaging effect.

I would very much like to know how your readers feel about the above and how they find it affects Native culture. To learn of Native people's opinions on these subjects would be of great interest and benefit my own learning.

If anyone wishes to comment, please write to:

Mrs. Susan Dewey

45 Park Road

Gosport, Hampshire P012 2HQ, England

Email: deweymail@cwctv.net