News Letter Excerpts

Lorraine Freeman, Metis Culture & Heritage Resource Centre

The Metis Resource Centre received a phone call from a concerned Metis woman about an ad she had read in a local senior's paper. The ad stated an individual wanted to buy 'Primitives' beaded jackets, beadwork, mukluks, etc.. She voiced her concern that this type of ad was inappropriate and it could lead to taking advantage of our seniors. We decided she would call the paper’s editor and explain the situation to him and strongly suggest that they pull this type of ad. He agreed!! He was sympathetic and assured her that his paper would not run these ads again. Success! That should be the end of that. Well, it wasn't!

A month or so later the same ad reappears in a larger local paper. A lot of questions came to mind and we wanted some answers. We decided to do some investigating into these ads.

From the ad's phone number we tracked down the place of business and decided to pay them a visit. After wandering around in his business we casually asked him if he bought items like older snow shoes, mukluks, beaded items and things like that. This individual stated his offer of what he would pay for these items. Of course, a lot less than fair market value! No surprise there! The other question: What do you do with the items you buy? He took joy in relating to us that he has buyers in the United States and they used these items, "on the walls of bars and restaurants for decoration" We were outraged!! Surely there has to be a law to stop such a thing from happening!

We were determined to seek out some answers. A few phone calls to some experts in this field should come up with a way to stop this exploitation. After speaking to these experts, they were sympathetic and agreed that it wasn't right "buuut" they explained to us that these buyers are in a gray area of "cultural expropriation" (Culture: "Anthropol" The sum total of the attainments and activities of any specific period, race or people including their implements, handcrafts, agriculture, economics, music, art, religion, traditions, language and stay. Expropriate: 1. To take from the owners, especially for public use. 2. To deprive of ownership or property.) Because these were only about fifty years old or so we could basically do nothing to stop this buying of cultural pieces.

As aboriginal peoples (Metis, Inuit, First Nations) we must be outraged at this buying up of our own cultural pieces, fifty years old or not! These buyers have no regard for the continuing loss of aboriginal culture, as they are only interested in decorating "bars and restaurants". Heritage pieces deserve more than what people like this can offer.

If you or your family have aboriginal articles, consider first the preservation of them. It's possible in the way of permanent, temporary or contract loans to local agencies, whether or not it's a museum, historical society or a cultural centre.

As aboriginal people in this country we too have a responsibility not to contribute to the loss of our history and cultures. We must take on this responsibility for our children and grandchildren. I for one am not willing to take my children to the United States to see a piece of true Canadiana "hanging in a bar".