![]() The more successful shake and bake shamans have retreat centers that charge extravagant sums of money to attend. Many develop programs through which disciples ascend through degrees. They develop a superficial philosophical base of Native American knowledge - usually centered on the Medicine Wheel - and support their livelihoods and egos by writing books and by staging, for a price, ceremonies and healing rituals like the Sun Dance and the sweat lodge. To a large extent, shake and bake shamans are akin to cult leaders. Shake and bake shamans profess the "right" to practice and teach Native American customs and ceremonies. In reality, no such distinction exists since the Metis were, and are, specifically a Canadian ethnic group who continue to maintain a presence in Canada. It is not unusual to find individuals who claim to be Choctaw Metis, Cherokee Metis, or Shawnee Metis. The best example of this is the so-called Southern Metis found in southern and eastern states. Today, the term has been given a general application and is used by individuals who claim Native American ancestry in the United States. Historically, the Metis was a Canadian ethnic community entity composed of French, Ojibwe, and Cree with individuals mixed through intermarriage. On the other hand, the Metis is not a tribe in the sense that the term implies. Because these bands are unrecognized and band/tribal rolls are non-existent or in disarray, these bands are often prey to those who wish to claim Native descendants. Some individuals claim lineage to so-called "unrecognized" Cherokee bands. ![]() Such a card does not make one an Native it merely indicates that a person has an Native relative far down the descent line. The Cherokee tribe is chosen since members can claim membership via Certified Degree of Indian Blood 2 cards (CDIB) based on lineal descent. Most often, they claim either Metis or Cherokee heritage as their tribal backgrounds. They are not enrolled members of any tribe. Memorex shake and bake shamans are largely composed of individuals who are not Native American. In other words, to them being Indian is not because of a racial or cultural connection but rather a state of mind. They claim to be Indian - not because they are Indian - but they are Indian by virtue of a connection to Indigenous spirit. In the quest for racial harmony, they have focused on the stereotype of the "noble red man" to give meaning to their lives. Like faceless witchers, Memorex shamans and wannabes permeate cyberspace with an endless assault in the theft of Indian spirituality. The Internet continues to be a platform for Memorex shamans and the false teachings that they expound on the unwary.)Ĭyberspace has become a breeding ground for the appropriation of Native American cultures and belief systems. Although 17 years have passed since its initial publication, very little has changed regarding the appropriation of Native spirituality. It was slightly edited and revised for publication on Anishinaabe Perspectives. (Note - This article was originally published in 1999 on my website Ojibwe-Anishinaabe Biidaajimo.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |