#20: Seven reasons why headdresses are not appropriate to wear (outside of Indigenous ceremony).

Don't you hate it when your instagram feed makes you mad. I love the outdoors so follow the hashtag #backcountry on instagram and this was the first photo on today's top posts. It looks like this tour company in Idaho has headdresses and chest plates for photo opportunities. I was really hoping that this trend was done and over with. Clearly they aren't.

Below are 7 condensed lessons from theNative Appropriations blog on why they are not ok to wear headdresses or other Indigenous regalia as a photo prop. 

1. Hollywood stereotyping perpetuates this perspective that Indigenous nations exist only in history, rather than thriving very much in the present. 
2. Headdresses and regalia have a deep spiritual significance and differ amongst the diverse Indigenous nations (hundreds of unique cultures). 
3. Blackface. Not acceptable period.
4. Colonialism exists today and the continued subordination of Indigenous governments and people is perpetuated by mockery such as that.  ---------------------------------------------->
5. It isn't just fashion. Fashion has the potential to influence politics (read more here). Remember the 75th Globes, where celebrities showed up in black in solidarity with victims of sexual abuse. 
6. Mockery is not honouring our culture. See this cartoon.
7. Imagery is important. By placing Indigenous people in the past, it erases our current presence and makes it difficult for current issues and concerns to exist in the Canadian sphere of consciousness. 

For a much more in depth explanation of each of these 7 lessons and more, check out this awesome blog. 

Lesson overall, take photo ops with the beauty of the great outdoors, no appropriation needed.