Native American culture is beautiful, and it can be tempting to want to wear that headdress or hang up that dreamcatcher, but as allies we need to think twice. It’s important to understand the difference between celebrating Native culture and appropriating it.
Appropriation creates harmful stereotypes and reduces thousands of years of rich cultural heritage to a cheap gag. It’s dehumanizing to our Native friends when you don a Native American themed costume on Halloween or sport a headdress at a music festival. A Headdress should be looked at on the same level as the “Medal of Honor.” Native American regalia should be regarded as deeply religious garb.
If you want to celebrate culture, consider talking to your Native friends about the best way to do so. Buying directly from Native American artists is also a great way to support and celebrate Native culture appropriately. In short, celebrating Native culture requires respect, historical and cultural knowledge, and the consent of Native American people.