identity – Joey’s ETEC 521 Blog

Trademarks, permission, and ownership

Our ETEC 521 Vista discussion forum the last couple of weeks has raised issues around trademarks, permission, and ownership of native imagery. In one of our readings, Rachel Grad (2002) provides a comparison of indigenous rights in intellectual property law in the US and in Australia. Philip Bellfy (2005) presents a number of examples of appropriation of native imagery and symbols for corporate logos in the US. One of those examples appeared in a trademark dispute that eventually found in favour of the use of the Redskins trademark by the Washington sports team franchise. The dispute and the eventual ruling are discussed in the following articles:

Petition seeks to cancel ‘Redskins’ trademark, article by Sarah Moses published on MSNBC Aug. 9, 2006.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14273097/

http://www.drinkerbiddle.com/files/News/6422f027-e6e8-4e6a-8ff8-01c3ffff7d5d/Presentation/NewsAttachment/84e3f691-c80e-4058-bc36-07d92347a7d6/Redskins_Trademark.pdf

The court ruling from July 13, 2008 is discussed in the article “Pro Football v. Harjo — Trademark Claim Against Redskins Dismissed”

http://turtletalk.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/pro-football-v-harjo-trademark-claim-against-redskins-dismissed/

Our Homes are Bleeding

This site was launched in 2005 by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. The focus of this site is the connection of indigenous people to their land as inherent to culture, identity, and spirituality. There are some very detailed transcriptions of the Agency Testimonies from the BC Royal Commission on Indian Affairs from 1913-1916. While the focus isn’t on educational technology, the site uses technology to support both education and research. The site is relevant to the issues of identity and culture we are addressing in this module and in the course.

The site has a page for researchers that gives some information about First Nations lands, research tools and resources to help researchers begin their search.

There is a teacher page with a very interesting Lesson Plan (Grade 11, 2007 ) entitled Continuity and Change. The primary objectives are for students to review the historical data from the perspectives of both aboriginal and non-aboriginals, and to evaluate what has and hasn’t changed. The lesson activities include reading about history of Reservations, land settlement issues, and role playing. There are a variety of resources and link to timelines, terminology, and other resources including a background on Reserves in BC, and a podcast on Aboriginal rights, all in support of the lesson plan.