Radio·New Fire

Hipsters and Indians?

From 'Cowboys & Indians' to 'hipster headdresses', indigenous appropriation is a hot topic right now. On this week's New Fire, we talk to youth who are tackling it head-on.
A festival goer at the Isle of Wight Festival on Friday, June 12, 2015. (Photo by Jim Ross/Invision/AP)

From 'Cowboys & Indians' to 'hipster headdresses', cultural appropriation is a hot topic right now.

So on this week's New Fire, we talk to youth who are tackling cultural appropriation head-on... and give you tips on how to fight back against fashion racism.

  • As a traditional Dakota / Saulteaux dancer, Jacob Pratt practices his culture for a living. So when Jacob was invited to perform at a Swedish theme park for the summer, he jumped at the chance to share his talents and culture... that is, until he found himself in the wild west of cultural appropriation. 
  • So, what do you do if you run in to cultural appropriation? Whether it's headdress spotting at a music festival, or finding Navajo-printed panties at a department store - the New Fire Guide to Confronting Appropriation gives you three simple tips to fight back. 
  • For indigenous artists, commodifying your work can be complicated. Watching others pick up your craft can also be unsettling. As a young weaver, Meghann O'Brien faces the challenge of creating cultural art while making a living doing it - and weighs in on "trendy" traditional goods.