What the author of the article I was referring to objected to was that the
teachers often did not have accurate information and were teaching
misinformation and stereotypes as fact, and referring to his beliefs in the
past tense. He also objected to sacred object being turned into "junk art".
I'm in the process researching different Native American cultures for a unit
in my 5th grade US History class. Art and religion are two of the areas
students will have to research. I will post any sources I find to the list.
Kimberly (kimberly@wcc.net)
-----Original Message-----
From: Ldcarlson7@cs.com [mailto:Ldcarlson7@cs.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 9:30 AM
To: ArtsEdNet Talk
Subject: Re: totem poles
Hi again,
The totem pole and culture study. I think that if the intent is to learn
more about another culture by emulating an object,from that culture, then it
is a valuable experience. Cultures who are offended by an 'outsider'
adopting an aspect 'of theirs', might look at how they are promoting
themselves in order to be 'understood' and respected. It happens with
music,
trinkets, food, environmental and residential design and many other social
behaviors and holiday customs.
I agree that learning multiculturally is very important. There are many
issues that can be debated, but when the intent is based in a good place,
then the outsiders deserve a certain amount of respect in return.
There is a degree of the concept called 'simultaneous invention' where
development parallels blur the line of primary ownership. ( I am going off
on a tangent...sorry)
