Cultural Appreciation or Cultural Appropriation? Yes, You Can Wear the Earrings

If you've been following the news lately, you may have seen the conversation sparked by Ashley Callingbull after Indigenous regalia was worn during the national costume portion of the Miss Universe Canada pageant.

And if you're someone who genuinely wants to be respectful of Indigenous cultures, you may have found yourself wondering:

“Wait. Is it okay for me to wear Indigenous art?”

Let's clear that up right away.

Yes. Wear the earrings.

Wear the T-shirt. Carry the tote bag. Wrap yourself in the beautiful scarf. Drink your morning coffee from the mug that makes you happy.

If it speaks to you, enjoy it.

Because there is an important difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.

So what's the difference?

Cultural appropriation can happen when something with cultural or spiritual significance is taken from another culture and used without understanding, permission or respect, particularly when sacred or ceremonial items are treated as costumes, decorations or fashion accessories.

That's very different from purchasing and enjoying artwork an Indigenous artist has intentionally created to be shared.

The recent Miss Universe Canada controversy involved Indigenous-inspired regalia being presented as part of a costume competition. That is not the same thing as wearing a pair of beaded earrings or buying a shirt featuring the work of an Indigenous artist.

Regalia is not a costume.

A T-shirt is.

Wearing Indigenous art doesn't mean you're trying to be Indigenous. It means you like the art.

Appreciation looks a lot like support

When you purchase authentic Indigenous-designed products, you're doing something quite different from borrowing someone else's cultural identity.

You're appreciating an artist's work.

You're learning the artist's name.

You're discovering the story behind a design.

And, when you're buying from businesses and manufacturers that properly license Indigenous artwork, you're helping ensure Indigenous artists are recognized and compensated for their creativity.

That's something worth celebrating.

At North of Fifty, we tell you who the artist is. Whenever possible, we share the meaning or story the artist has provided about the artwork. And the products we sell are intended to be purchased, used, worn, displayed, gifted and enjoyed.

You don't need Indigenous ancestry to fall in love with a piece of Indigenous art.

Art is one of the ways people connect.

But aren't some things just for Indigenous people?

Yes.

There are sacred, ceremonial and culturally specific items and practices that carry meanings and protocols far beyond their appearance.

Regalia may tell a story about the person wearing it, their Nation, family, community, achievements, responsibilities or spiritual traditions. It isn't simply an outfit with an Indigenous aesthetic.

That's why context matters.

There is an enormous difference between appreciating an artist's hummingbird design on a shawl and dressing yourself in imitation ceremonial regalia because you're headed to a costume party.

One is enjoying Indigenous art.

The other is pretending to be Indigenous.

That's a pretty useful line to keep in mind.

What if I'm still worried about getting it wrong?

We hear this question surprisingly often.

People will see a beautiful shawl, pair of earrings or piece of clothing and love it. Then they hesitate because they don't want to offend anyone.

That concern comes from a good place.

But appreciation doesn't require you to admire Indigenous art from six feet away with your hands safely in your pockets.

You can participate by supporting the artists whose work you love.

Learn their names. Read their stories. Tell someone who designed the beautiful thing you're wearing when they compliment you on it.

And wear it with respect.

If it speaks to you, wear it.

That's something I've said many times at North of Fifty, and I still believe it.

Indigenous artists create extraordinary work, and much of that work is created specifically to go out into the world, into homes, onto walls, around shoulders, into kitchens and, yes, dangling from ears.

Buying authentic Indigenous art and Indigenous-designed products helps create an audience and a market for Indigenous artists.

So no, you don't need to quietly put those earrings back on the shelf.

If they speak to you, wear them.

And if somebody says, “I love your earrings,” even better.

Tell them who the artist is.