Tag Archives: cultural identity

Module 3 Findings

For the Module 3 contributions, I wanted to start looking for resources and examples for my final paper, the topic of which is a tentative examination of Indigenous identity and relations through reverse cultural appropriation in media. My initial interest in this topic can from finding the gallery page of Comox artist Andy Everson, who in the past has combined Indigenous styles and motifs with images from popluar culture, names those from the Star Wars franchise. His gallery can be found here:

 

#11

http://www.andyeverson.com/2011/2011.html

I wanted to find other artists who similarly appropriated significant cultural images from the West. I came upon Chippwar (aka Jay Soule) who blends Indigenous references and images with familiar Western movies and the connotations they evoke. The video summarizes Soule’s rationale for the creation of his work as both a statement for Indigenous identity, as well as a criticism against mainstream culture’s tendency to appropriate Indigenous images and artifacts for little more than profit. Soule’s website offers many provocative examples of the types of representation I have been looking for.

 

#12

https://www.cbc.ca/arts/exhibitionists/this-artist-is-fighting-cultural-appropriation-with-over-the-top-indigenous-monster-movie-posters-1.3964024

#13

https://chippewar.com

My final artist for this module is Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. I had a chance to attend his 2016 exhibition at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, and was immediately struck by the statements he made through his art, as bold and glaring as the colors and images he uses. From his website, “Yuxweluptun’s strategy is to document and promote change in contemporary Indigenous history in large-scale paintings (from 54.2 x 34.7cm to 233.7 x 200.7cm), using Coast Salish cosmology, Northwest Coast formal design elements, and the Western landscape tradition. His painted works explore political, environmental, and cultural issues.”

I admit that Yuxweluptun is not necessarily in the same category as Everson and Soule, in that his appropriation is not as obvious, but I am drawn to some of the surrealist elements, as well as the statements he makes by incorporating Western iconography such as corporate logos and traditional Western business suits. If I can examine Yuxweluptun in my research and paper, I would very much like to.

 

#14

http://mfineart.ca/macaulay-co-fine-art/artists/lawrence-paul-yuxweluptun/

#15

http://lawrencepaulyuxweluptun.com/index.html

Hopefully I will be able to find more examples for my paper, as well as some solid resources that explore cultural appropriation in general.

Module 2 Entries

As the second module draws to a close, I find the time devoted to my cybertravelling is torn between pursuing sites that narrow the focus of topics relevant to my research proposal and the modules to date, and general exploration of authentic sites and sources that may be helpful for my classroom. This week’s selections may seem a little random and simplistic, but they will nevertheless suit my needs well for my classes.

#6

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4881203/

A literature review examining the prevalence and effects of social media and digital technology among Aboriginal youth in Australia. Published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, the review incorporates fairly recent data in a review featuring over forty references. Good for an reasonably quick, at-a-glance assessment for technology use among Aboriginal youth in Australia.

#7

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/joseph-boyden/article35881215/

My earlier posts have alluded to my interest in – and frustration with – using works by Joseph Boyden as authentic Indigenous texts in my classroom. This article from Eric Andrew-Gee in the Globe and Mail examines both Boyden’s Indigenous ancestry claims as well as issues of Indigenous identity in general. From the article:

But the real difficulty of answering the question [of Boyden’s ancestry] rests with the essential thorniness of coming to grips with Indigenous identity in a country that has spent centuries trying to warp and misconstrue the very concept.

This is the story of Joseph Boyden and his Indigenous identity – how it came about, how he has put it to use, and to what extent it can be credited. But it is also the story of that elusiveness – the story of how Boyden thrived by cultivating a quality that is painfully at the heart of so many quests for Indigenous blood and belonging and, in doing so, laid bare historic wounds that he had hoped to heal.

#8

https://www.fraserbasin.bc.ca/_Library/Ab_NonAb_Relations/bridge_between_nations.pdf

Thoughts and comments from the last few weeks have also revolved around seeking resources that are both authentic, and relatively friendly to perspectives (like mine) that are still coming to terms with understanding First Nations’ experiences in a variety of contexts. I came across this document, “Bridge Between Nations: A History of First Nations in the Fraser River Basin,” published by The Fraser Basin Council. The document is an introduction to the lives, histories, and issues of these First Peoples, and is intended to “encourage greater communication, understanding, and respect between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal peoples.” It reads insightful and authentic, and appears to thoughtfully address the relevant concerns of the peoples it describes.

#9

http://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

I had yet to read the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Report. As a part of my journey towards understanding, this primary source is essential.

#10

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/indigenous-language-inuktut-natan-obed-1.4168017

In my general browsing, I came across this article from 2017 that reports on the status of Bill S-212, “An Act for the advancement of the aboriginal languages of Canada and to recognize and respect aboriginal language rights.” The article outlines the status and need for protection of Aboriginal language amongst Inuit, Metis, and First Nations peoples throughout the country. A complete description of the Bill can be found at http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/S-212/first-reading .  Reading this article reminded me of the Lorna Williams interview.

#11

http://nwejinan.com

I wanted to find at least one source that showcased authentic Indigenous voice amongst youth. “N’we Jinan is a non-profit organization that brings a mobile recording studio into schools and community centres across North America. The program is aimed to create an environment where youth can express themselves musically and creatively under the guidance of a professional music producer.” The organization has a significant presence on Youtube and Itunes, where videos and songs featuring various community youth and their projects can be found.