Selling Out Native Americans
America is a capitalist society. We are product driven, consuming what we want, when we want it. We have even managed to commercialize spirituality -- especially that belonging to America's first people. Large department stores sell knock-off items of spiritual importance and well-known companies and sporting teams exploit Native images in the form of logos and mascots. Men and women without blood ties to Native cultures -- or those with a minuscule amount -- act as leaders, guides, medicine people and spiritual leaders, profiting from workshops, best-selling books, crafts, artwork, movies and false ceremonies.
Native people all over the country are outraged by such commercialization; their culture being stripped, pieces sold to gullible buyers. Their traditions and beliefs blend with others to form counterfeit concepts -- intertwined with stereotypes found in books or movies -- that is now marketed as an actual "religion." The so-called teachers gain authenticity from mainstream America (including publishers and the press) by fooling the public, staking claim to a heritage they truly know little about. They play Indian, looking the part, using buzzwords and stoic language -- yet steering away from "real" Indians, afraid of being challenged in front of their followers.
Mainstream American often accepts their "truths" at face value, without knowing the person is acting out of greed, arrogance and self-appointed superiority. Genuine spiritual leaders would not set out to turn a profit from their teachings. They would not sell a sacred ceremony or conduct a workshop on how to find your inner animal totem. They do not charge for their services, offer a "Shaman" website or create tarot cards. They will, however, instruct those who need instructing and heal those who need healing -- within their own community. Their lives are dedicated to their work. They are neither greedy nor looking for prestige. Their lives belong to their calling, and to the people within their community.
People to watch out for: Mary Summer Rain, Jamie Samms, Sun Bear and the Bear Tribe, Chief Red Fox, Iron Thunderhorse, Harley Swift Deer Reagan, Evelyn Eaton, O'Shinna, Ted Andrews, Jamake Highwater, Shequish Ohoho, Bird Brother, Mary Elizabeth Marlow, Vision Quest Inc, Sedonia Cahill, The Great Round Organization, Cyfus McDonald, Oshena, Brooke Medicine Eagle, Wallace Black Elk, Alonso Blacksmith, Carlos Casta~neda, Mary Thunder, Oceana, Ghostwolf, Barking Tree, Lynn Andrews and Barking Tree.
What they are peddling: Sweat ceremonies/ various workshops/ sun dances/ shaman healing/ power animals/ vision quests/ dreamcatchers/ medicine wheels/ CDs/ pre-made sweat tents/ medicine crystals/ tarot cards/ psychic readings/ Native American weddings or naming ceremonies/ pipe ceremonies/ and books on various topics.