Indigenous People and cultural appropriation.

Associating with American Indians and listening to issues of import to segments of said societies, it's offensive when confronted by the typical New Age image of the airbrushed muscular unshirted "Noble Savage" with a butterfly in one hand and the other hand stroking the fur of his wise wolf brother.

Before I had Amerian Indian friends, that image still struck me as woefully simplistic and fake. Both to the Indian and to the wolf.

As an archetype or construct, the image of the lusty Noble Savage or mysterious "Shaman" can serve a purpose I suppose. If that fantasy image can provide strength and focus, that's fine. Please know it's not historical truth, however.

Select schools across the country have offered what they call a "shaman course", "shaman class", and/or variations of. There's a huge debate among the tribes over this; many of the younger Indians are apathetic toward the idea, as they don't have much cultural self-interest anyway; some, like any race, see there's profit to be attained by essentially selling out (or just making up ceremonies and beliefs); but the elders of many tribes, and those who seek to keep their culture intact and alive, frown on such an idea, and especially of blending their ceremonies with any other religions, or mixing their sacred symbols with any other religion (the Jesus fish, a pentegram, the Yin Yang, Nordic runes, etc.)

I've argued that what's out there is out there; Pandora's box was opened, and the books that make many in the communities angry can't be removed from shelves. The information's already out there.

It's up to us then to be responsible with our choices, and with what we claim is (or think is) authentic. And PLEASE don't feel intimidated to do some real research. It's fun, and there's always something to be learned. >:-)

There is no such thing as an "official certificate of Shamanism" or an Officially Certified Shaman within any traditional American Indian tribe.

Some American Indians, but mostly those claiming some aspect of the heritage or ancestry or special ritual knowledge of American Indians, ingratiate themselves in the New Age genre because it sells and who can, or bothers to, fact check most of what's espoused?

American Indians can't be white-washed as simply "Native American", with the same beliefs and same attitudes. American Indians consist of many diverse tribes, with unique world views, unique superstitions, unique music, and unique activities as well as appearance and language.

The following's from 2003, but still relevant, and still important:

Spiritual matters, forwarded from cyberwolf007:
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