14.1.10

Too Native or not Native enough?



 Hey everybody, I got a shot out from another blog, called China which is about "Ideas on the Production of Alternative and DIY Fashion." Shiloh Sukkau has some interesting finds on her posts about fashion, jewelery, and crafters and she does her own sewing and crafting which she documents.

I love getting shot outs, and this particular one really interested me and got me thinking. Shiloh says my blog is "a little too focused on pop culture for my personal taste" which is fair because it's her opinion, but my guess is she wants more Native influences in more of my posts.

I have gone through writing mostly about Indigenous topics, and or commentary on news/events to writing about myself to covering more pop culture items infused with personal tidbits about me (the current format).

What I am noticing is that some people thing my blog is "too Native" (read: niche market) and I am omitted from party/event invites that other bloggers attend (like most media do) as well as not given as much swag and/or promotional items or offerings. That is not why I write this blog, or I would have changed my blog title and focus a long time ago. Others think that my blog should be "more Native" and include more tidbits about Indigenous culture, Native artists, musicians and performers.

So I am constantly being swayed from "too Native" to "not Native enough" which is pretty much a big theme of my life. No I know Shiloh did not intend to spark a debate or even criticize, these are just my reflections on hearing that type of feedback about my blog, and more likely about myself as a person. It's a fine balance to being true to my heritage and culture and being true to who I am as a person.

I did grow up in the suburbs away from Native culture and essentially grew up as a "Valley Girl" if that helps make things more clear for you. I began to learn about my heritage and culture only in the last five years, and what a wonderful five years they have been. I am so grateful for those who have helped me gain my identity as an Indigenous person back.

I think this debate is common for many urban Aboriginal peoples, especially those of mixed heritage, and especially those who are performers/artists/musicians who seek to break beyond a stereotype but still show aspects of their cultural heritage on their sleeve. I will continue on my path to understanding more of my Indigenous roots, and in some ways, this blog is indicative of that journey. Hope you still want to read about it.

Posted by Lisa ~ Urban Native Girl at 1:40 PM
Labels: ,

18 comments:

  1. Well, I think it was John Lydon who once said: "I don't have to act working class. I am working class."
    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the current style and mix on your blog. I think you're doing a good thing, and Rachelle is a nice addition.
    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post on the question of 'identity'. I really enjoy the mix of topics on your blog -- looking forward to more!
    ReplyDelete
  5. For me, living as an Urban Natives, I think you provide a good balance. As beans (what I refer to as the human state) we are constantly changing. It's good to NOT be stagnant. Especially so, since much of the world sees Indigenous America through the eyes of Hollywood and the stereotypes developed throughout history.

    Opinions are good, too. As long as I am not living my life according to someone elses opinions.

    It is too bad that you miss out on some invites. But, somethings telling me your not wilting at home too horribly much.
    ReplyDelete
  6. US Urban Native GirlJan 14, 2010 12:44 PM
    One thing I love about your blog is that you don't perform indigeneity for either a Native or non-Native audience, and I've often wondered as I read your blog if that was due to your personality or if Canadian Urban Natives were just freer than their US counterparts. I love how you celebrate mixed bloods instead of suspecting them of being wanabees, how you're open about not knowing how to pray with sage - in the US Urban Natives are under pressure not to do such things for fear of being seen as inauthentic. But on your blog you're simply yourself - a Native who refuses to excise parts of herself - including a love for pop culture - to be a stereotype. That's why I enjoy reading your posts.
    ReplyDelete
  7. DJ TR-ONE/Fly Joint ProductionsJan 14, 2010 01:32 PM
    When I was in junior high school, an elder from a different nation told me, "don't get caught up in the prejudice we NDNs have towards ourselves. Being NDN is not being Rez or RBN, blood or skin, traditional or assimilated, this tribe or that tribe, this region or that region, or anything else. Being NDN is simply being who you are and being proud of what you come from. Too many of our people have placed Western Society on a pedestal to realize what they're doing is what Western Society wants us to do... divide ourselves for the purpose of being conquered and wiped out of existence."

    I didn't know what in the hell he meant, when I was 12 years old. Over the years, I have become completely aware of what he meant, though. Quinton meant that the experiences of NDN Country are so myriad we need all of these diverse experiences exposed. Western Society is too stuck on referring to us in the past tense, as though we no longer exist. Truth is we do exist, though. We will always exist. There's much more to be discussed on this issues, divided among smaller issues which make this larger issue.

    My blog does it's best to address as much of these issues as possible. my blog also touches on the politics and federal policies facing our people as a whole. We do need diversity... Keep doing you, Lisa. Don't stop for any reason, what so ever. Continue living the life of a Native woman stradling that fine line between assimilating and keeping traditions alive. You're one of the few who do it honestly.
    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.
    ReplyDelete
  9. I just wanted to edit my above comment so here it is:

    I think you can blog about whatever you want. I blog about what I want. I am not really into pop culture or fashion but one of the reasons I like your blog is because it bridges Native culture and pop culture together. It helps to broaden my perspective.
    ReplyDelete
  10. As a decidedly unhip person with a bare minimum of anything resembling style or fashion I have to say that I quite enjoy your blog for a multitude of reasons. I may not always have a keen interest in specific aspects of your blogs, designer this n that etc, but I like learning more about new and interesting topics.

    I enjoy your blog because I enjoy your words & your stories. As a fellow golden browner who understands that society has an inconsistent expectation of what Indian is... I got the feeling when I met you at Inclusion Works that you were very much in tune with who you are and where your path would take you in life.

    I hope you don't sway too far away from your current path/style because of a few people want you to do more from column A, instead of column B etc. I think you are an excellent role model for young Aboriginal women, and I've gained valuable insight about your half of the species from your blog. ^_^

    Don't stop being awesome Lisa, you can't make everyone happy, and I'll bet there's a silent majority following your blog that agrees with me!
    ReplyDelete
  11. Sister, I love your style and your blog. You are fabulous, no doubt in my mind. I believe identity is a lifelong quest, and maybe it gets more settled as one gets older, but it never completely settles down. My point is this: blog the way you want to blog, and about what you want to blog about. Personally, I love than you somehow manage to seamlessly mix hip urban culture with indigenous elements. It keeps the vibe of the blog fresh—I never know what your next entry will be about. I love it! Keep up the good work, and may bright blessings surround you always.
    ReplyDelete
  12. I think you've got the perfect balance right now. This blog is YOUR blog, so it's going to reflect who you are, your interests and experiences.
    ReplyDelete
  13. If you stand in one place for long enough, people will line up to tell you what to do, how to think, what's going to work, versus what's not. I absolutely love that you are your own authentically evolving self! You don't need to be anything more or less than that. It's refreshing and wonderful and much needed in this mixed up world where everybody seems to market to an angle and try to put things in a box.
    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW Thank you all for your wonderful feedback and kind comments.

    Grumpy Owl's comment that John Lydon who once said: "I don't have to act working class. I am working class" resonates with me a lot. As well as US Urban Native Girl's comment that I "don't perform indigeneity for either a Native or non-Native audience."

    Still lots to think about and ponder, thankfully I have this blog to share with all of you and great, supportive friends who I can share these feelings with as well. A big Sechanelyagh (thank you).
    It seems like that is what "being Native" is sometimes is trying to be Native because to those who grew up surrounded by tradition, I am not Native enough. Or to those non-Natives who expect Native peoples to only be traditional and live that w
    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey, Im so glad that you are discussing the issues that you are, I think its important that you are able to point to the ways in which indigenous people are apart of mainstream and pop culture (it is not done enough). Its a really interesting topic and I should have given more thought to it.
    Two Thumbs Up!
    ReplyDelete
  16. I have modified my post about your blog because this stuff is really important to talk about (for everybody) and Im glad I got to think a bit more about it.
    cheers.
    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Shiloh! Thanks so much for checking in. I was hoping that you wouldn't be offended by this post. Your blog just got me thinking and this was the result of that. It is something I have dealt with my entire life (as many other Natives do). Thank you for reading and I appreciate your support :).
    ReplyDelete
  18. Not at all, I think we all have to deal with issues of identity and how we understand others, Im glad it came up.
    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)