I need some help figuring this one out...

(via Failblog.org)

Anyone able to help me out with the language/context on this one? 

Original post on Failblog: http://failblog.org/2010/02/25/pedobear-sings-you-to-sleep/

Have you ever seen a real Indian?: AICF's ad campaign

(image via http://www.americanindiancollegefund.org)

For some reason, this week has offered me a host of examples of insensitivity and ignorance surrounding Indian identity and identity politics. I've gotten in intense arguments and conversations in classes, I've confronted a colleague who told me, to my face, that the reason the US and Canada were different in terms of policies towards their Indigenous peoples was because "Well, I mean, in the US our policy was just to kill all the Indians. That's why there aren't any left, and we don't have to deal with them." I also overheard a student with whom I was discussing my research tell his friend: "I was like, Okaaay Native American, just talk about how we OPPRESSED you and your PEOPLE!"

So when I was deciding what to post today, I remembered these ads from the American Indian College Fund, an organization that provides scholarships and assistance to tribal college students. They're a little old, and their new campaigns--entitled "If I stay on the rez" and "Think Indian" are equally awesome and can be found here, but I think that these offer a powerful perspective that is rarely seen in print media.

After the jump, more of the ads and more discussion.

Nicole Richie's baby mocs

(via shopkitson.com)

My fabulous little sister Michele found this from Nicole Richie's new baby clothes line for Kitson (called "House of Harlow"). Baby moccasins for $225?!

(Thanks Sees!)

Random Appropriation of the Day!

(Image via http://hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com/)

Today's random appropriation comes from Hipster Puppies, a pretty adorable tumblr feed playing off hipster stereotypes by captioning pictures of dogs.

The above image was posted with this caption: "lola got booted from the kickball team after just showing up every week and drinking"

In the words of tipster MK: "I'm gonna hope the caption about drinking has nothing to do with Native stereotypes. Coincidence?" Let's hope.

Apparently even the hipster puppies are getting in on the tribal trend!

(Thanks MK!)

Dartmouth Native Vigilantes?

(image via ivygateblog.com)

Last night several of these anonymous signs were posted around the campus of Dartmouth College on the lawns of greek organizations and in front of administration buildings. The text on the sign above, posted at the Psi Upsilon house, reads:

Dear Brothers of Psi U,

You have been charged with representing your brotherhood to Dartmouth as racist and insensitive. Your use of the Dartmouth Indian, which is a caricature of racist stereotypes, as well as the objectification of women on your other shirt send a message to campus that you as an organization are actively disrespecting the feelings of your peers. We are holding you accountable for your actions.

It is time you start doing the same. 

I'll admit that I'm not well versed in the intimate details of the ongoing issues surrounding the Indian mascot at Dartmouth, but I know that it has been a nearly constant struggle for Native students on campus fighting against generations of alumni who support and continue to use the mascot image. In addition to the mascot issues, there have been a series of serious incidents through the years directly targeting or affecting the Native community. Inside Higher Ed published an article in 2006 about some of the incidents, and can be found here.  I can only imagine, given the statement above, that the brothers of Psi U produced some sort of shirt using the mascot.

The Ivygate blog seems to think that these vigilantes are "anti-greek", but I think it's pretty obvious that's not the case, and that there are bigger issues at play here. In addition to the sign above, they also covered the porch of the house with ladies underwear and the words "this won't just go away". While the blog speculates this is a reference to sexual harassment, commenter "vigilante" sets the record straight:

The panties are not anti-sexual-assault or even feminist (god forbid), but rather refer to a Psi U’s response to concerns about the Dartmouth Indian tshirts about people getting their “panties in a twist” and saying the situation will just “go away” if they don’t address it.

The people behind the signs aren’t anti-Greek by any means, just looking to revive dialogue about some recent actions by various organizations that come across as racist/sexist/generally insensitive. These things are consistently dismissed and swept under the rug, so the signs sought to give voice to those who were affected, offended by, and/or silenced by such actions. Accountability and respect of others in the community are the main goals, but at the very least we hope people will start actually talking about these issues rather than blowing them off as usual.

I think this is definitely a voice that needs to be heard, and that the Dartmouth administration's track record of not taking action on issues affecting the Native community and communities of color in general is inexcusable. I hope that these "vigilantes" use this as momentum to keep the movement going and make their voices heard.

I know I've got a few readers from up that way, if anyone wants to give me more information, or wants to write a post about the issues facing Native students on campus, especially surrounding the continued use of the mascot, please don't hesitate to let me know. I am perfectly happy to keep you anonymous. nativeappropriations@gmail.com.

Dartmouth Apologizes for Indian Incidents--Inside Higher Ed (2006): http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/11/27/dartmouth

Anonymous Vigilantes Attack Dartmouth Frats with Manifestos, Women's Underwear--Ivygate Blog: http://www.ivygateblog.com/2010/02/breaking-anonymous-vigilante-attacks-dartmouth-frats-with-manifestos-womens-underwear/ 

(Thanks Scott!)

Indigenous Olympics Link Roundup Part 2

(Image via http://www.ryanmcmahoncomedy.com)

Here are a few more links examining the Indigenous presence in the games!

• Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples & The Vancouver 2010 Olympics – Unprecedented Inclusion?- Ryan McMonohon Comedy

The argument I’ve been hearing is that with the “inclusion” of First Nations in the games marks the NEW start to a world wide relationship with us as Aboriginal Peoples living in Canada.  The term “unprecedented involvement” has been thrown around quite a bit and I wonder what that means exactly?  Are we involved because we danced in the Opening?  Are we involved because there is an Aboriginal pavilion at the games where “the world” can see us perform, sing, dance, rap, etc.?  Are we involved because we had to be because the Games were taking place whether we liked it or not and to be “a part” of it made more sense than not; at least we get to represent ourselves right?

To me, Canada had a chance to REALLY change the way the world sees “US” and how THEY (Canada) sees “US.”  I can’t help but go back to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and how Canada has participated in adopting (actually, NOT adopting) it.  Currently 143 countries have signed it and 4 haven’t.  The countries that haven’t signed are Canada, the US, New Zealand and Australia.  Australia has recently signed and New Zealand and the US are currently said to be close to signing. That leaves Canada.  To show TRUE appreciation for it’s Aboriginal Peoples and while on the world stage – could Canada have done more to let people know where they stand?  Should they have?  I mean, we did get to “dance” at the Olympics, but shouldn’t we ask for more?

• Vancouver Olympic Logo: a smiling marker of death?- NPR

Irniq is put off by the Olympic logo because of its human form. Its fat legs and outstretched arms make it look a little like a hockey goalie, and the head has a hint of a smile. Irniq says his people rarely stacked rocks to resemble humans.

"It's a symbol of the fact that someone may have, um, committed suicide or someone may have murdered somebody at that spot," he says.

If people are interested in looking at an example of an inukshuk that's not associated with death, he says, they should look at the flag of Nunavut, which features a more traditional inukshuk.

• Native Artist Alano Edzerza Works with ASICS to Design Netherlands Olympic Team

Alano Edzerza, owner of Vancouver’s Edzerza Gallery and the acclaimed artist who carved the 10-meter native art mural at Vancouver's GM Place (an arena to be used for the Olympics), together with ASICS, has unveiled their ground-breaking collaborative design for the Netherlands Olympic team uniform. 

The designs were unveiled at a fashion show hosted by ASICS at Arnhem’s Olympic Papendal Hotel and Conference Centre (Papendallaan 3, Arnhem, NETHERLANDS). The event was streamed via a feed and is available on demand at www.edzerzagallery.com and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-YYmIlJdrQ

(Thanks Marjorie, Ryan, and Leon!) 

Indigenous Olympics link roundup

As promised, I've tried to pull together some informative links/articles/blog posts about the Indigenization of the winter Olympics. This is by no means exhaustive (not even close!) so if anyone has more, please send them my way!

• An Indigenous Olympics?- Toban Black via Sociological Images

(AK note: this is a fantastic, well researched, well written piece, I wanted to quote the whole thing here! definitely a must read.)

 Some have found the cartoonish Olympic marketing imagery to be a mockery of native traditions.  For example, critics have argued that the 2010 Olympics committee has edited and re-packaged native culture — which also has been ripped out of its traditional contexts. The Committee is highlighting Arctic indigenous imagery — yet Vancouver, the centre of the Games, is a temperate city.  Arctic indigenous peoples did not live there — or on the nearby Whistler and Cypress mountains, where some Olympic events will be held. Other indigenous populations who did live in that area of British Columbia also are not represented in the marketing iconography.

The Olympics branding denies noteworthy differences among native groups spread across these areas. Passing theatrical gestures to native peoples during the open ceremonies could be considered to be more respectful, but Olympics marketers otherwise have been mixing up North American native traditions into a soup-like caricature. Natives have been consistently oppressed, but the various peoples who are considered to be native (in some way, or to some degree) certainly are not ‘all the same.’ Tacking Arctic imagery on to Vancouver-area Games implies that there is only one native essence (in North America, if not beyond this continent).

•  2010 Olympics Token Tribute- Urban Native Girl Stuff

"So when I watched the Olympics opening ceremonies after the original broadcast I did feel proud that Native peoples were being included and celebrated in the production. I also am happy that it is the first time Indigenous people have been recognized by the International Olympic Committe as official host partners in any games.

But I can't help feeling like it's a little token. There is not doubt that Canada doesn't want to share it's long legacy of genocide toward the Native people of this country. This is why many Native people are asking for attention to our issues today, especially our stolen lands. The effects of this colonization are very much alive today. We have so many health, poverty, education, social issues which have many people living in third world conditions right here in Canada, in our backyards."

•  Native Representation Strong at 2010 Olympics- Indian Country Today

During the games, the pavilion, an 8,000-square-foot building, will include entertainment provided by Native performers. There will also be plenty of aboriginal food and merchandise for sale. The pavilion will not be the only place in town with an aboriginal presence. In fact, there is no escaping aboriginal involvement and it will be rather prevalent in almost all aspects. For example, the games’ official logo is named Ilanaaq the Inunnguaq; ilanaaq is the Inuktitut word meaning friend.

Also, the games’ three official mascots – Miga, Quatchi and Sumi – were inspired by traditional First Nations creatures. Miga is a mythical sea bear, Quatchi is a sasquatch, and Sumi is an animal spirit. The athletes who win a medal will take home some hardware based on the designs of artwork of Vancouver-based aboriginal artist Corrine Hunt. And there are scores of other aboriginal designed products that are part of the games’ merchandising program.

•  Olympics Met With Mixed Emotions by First Nations- NPR

To some, this means the Olympics are being held on stolen native land. But Phillip says if the Four Host First Nations want to allow the games on their land, that's their right. Not that he's happy about it. His organization has kept its distance from the Olympics, and he's even refused to take part in the tribute to native culture in Friday night's opening ceremony, which he calls "Disneyesque." "I don't think it's proper for me to stand there and hold hands with government officials and be part of the misrepresentation of the well-being of our people," Phillip says.

• 'Authentic First Nations' 2010 Olympic Souvenirs made in China- NBC Olympics

Canadian aboriginals eager to promote their culture at the upcoming Winter Games on their ancestral lands lamented on Wednesday that some "authentic First Nations" souvenirs were made in China, Italy or Thailand. These include native art and traditional clothes.
Tewanee Joseph, director of the Four Host First Nations, representing area aboriginals, says it is not a problem. "The design was created by authentic First Nations," he told AFP. "The Four Host Nations created the whole aboriginal mark of the Games and we are truly authentic aboriginal people."

There are so many more, but I didn't want it to be too overwhelming. Maybe I'll do a few more roundups throughout the week.

(Thanks Nancy, Sociological Images, Lisa Charleyboy, and anyone else who gave me links!)

Jessica Alba is all about the Pendleton

Thanks to @lanova33 for pointing me to these pics of Jessica Alba sporting the pendleton jacket and braids in Texas last week. A couple more below:

 

All pics are from her twitter feed, and can be found here: http://tweetphoto.com/8721265

(Thanks Lanova!)

Looks like Rachel Zoe was right...

(image via The Sartorialist)

Remember back in January when I posted the Rachel Zoe report about Lindsay Thornburg's Pendleton cloaks? Looks like they've invaded the NY fashion scene. I found this picture this morning on The Sartorialist, one of my favorite fashion blogs of on-the-street fashion, by photographer Scott Schuman. He tends to have his fingers on the pulse of fashion (look at me use a metaphor at 9:30 am), so we'll see if this is a trend with staying power.

I'll keep my eyes open for anything similar coming out of NY fashion week right now.

my earlier post on Lindsay Thornburg: http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/01/tribal-fashion-newest-trend.html

The Zoe Report: http://www.rachelzoe.com/lindsey-thornburg-cloak

Lindsay Thornburg Designs: http://www.lindseythornburg.com/store.html

The Sartorialist: http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

Random Appropriation of the Day!

My friend Yve found this Hermes scarf online.  Called "Pani La Shar Pawnee", it retails for $420, and features a border of feathers and a vintage-looking Native photo. The image can be clicked for a bigger version, or the website has a zoom function as well. The scarf can be found here.

Apparently there were earlier, limited editions as well. This one had a limited run of only 200 scarves, and was based off a 1984 version:

(image via http://blackburnandsweetzer.com/)

I found a blog that gives a little background on the original design and the artist, Kermit Oliver, if you're interested. Apparently this is one of the most complex designs Hermes has ever done, because of all the color tones in his face.

Pani La Shar background info: http://codexcostinianus.blogspot.com/2010/01/pani-la-shar-pawnee.html

(Thanks Yve!)

The Vancouver opening ceremonies: honoring Canadian First Nations?

 

I didn't get to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver games live (I didn't have a TV-until today!), but I was getting constant text message updates along the lines of: "girl, tell me you are watching the opening ceremonies! hella First Nations!" So I finally got around to watching them online and capturing some screen shots of the best parts.

I have very mixed feelings about the opening ceremonies--on one hand, it was fantastic to see the extensive Native presence (when has the US ever done anything like  this?) and a lot of it was culturally sensitive and true portrayals.

But, on the other hand, there were a few cringe worthy moments playing into stereotypes, and the involvement of the First Nations in the games masks a lot of the ongoing issues in Canadian Government/Native relations. 

After the jump, a bazillion more screen shots (once I figured out how to do it, I got a bit over eager) and analysis. 

The Simpsons stereotypes Alaska Native cultures, again.

 

On the most recent episode of the Simpsons,  Homer and Marge gain a spot on the US Olympic curling team and head to Vancouver for the games. When they arrive in the city, Homer is greeted by an Alaska Native/Inuit woman (in Vancouver?) and they engage in about 10 seconds of guttural noises back and forth as the background goes all swimmy and mystical, then he drives away. 

After the jump, a couple more screen shots and linking it back to the Simpsons Movie (where this character was first introduced).

Robin Lopez wore a Stanford Indian shirt, and 15,000 people saw

 

(image via "Official Twitter feed for Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley" link here)

This is Phoenix Suns player and Stanford alum Robin Lopez...wearing a Stanford Indians shirt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Stanford mascot history, in 1972, as a direct result of Stanford Native student activism, the university finally banned the use of that stereotypical image you see above. For the complete mascot timeline, see this article (by Denni Woodward, who all Stanford Natives know and love). Woodward paraphrases the anti- mascot petition put forth by the students, in which they stated:

 The mascot in all its manifestations was, the Indian group maintained, stereotypical, offensive, and a mockery of Indian cultures.  The group suggested that the "University would be renouncing a grotesque ignorance that it has previously condoned" by removing the Indian as Stanford's symbol, and by "retracting its misuse of the Indian symbol" 

Every few years or so the mascot issue re-emerges on campus, and every time the administration re-affirms the commitment they made in 1972 that:

"any and all Stanford University use of the Indian Symbol should be immediately disavowed and permanently stopped."

To further complicate the story, Robin and his twin brother Brooke are Native, or at least they were on the list of incoming Native frosh back in 2006. I saw you at that frybread social Robin!

Who knows, Robin could be trying to make a point, or something, but I have a feeling that wasn't the case. I know he's a good guy, we have lots of mutual friends, but I still don't like it.

It makes me upset to see any Stanford alum wearing an the mascot--and I saw plenty of them every year at Big Game and homecoming--but I feel worse knowing that Robin is a public figure, and so many people are going to see that picture on Twitter. Jared Dudley has 15,784 followers. I'd feel redeemed if Robin would let Jared post a picture of him wearing one of these shirts, or something similar:

(image via http://demockratees.com/)

So Robin, I submit this challenge to you. One Stanford Native alum to another. Heck, I'll even buy you the shirt--Demockratees is an amazing Native-owned company, and I may or may not own this shirt myself. 

Stanford Mascot History: http://nacc.stanford.edu/mascot.html
Retire Indian Mascots shirt: http://www.demockratees.com/retireindianmascots.html

(Thanks to Eric for the link! (though he probably won't be happy I posted this))

You Heap Fine Valentine, and HOW.

 

Happy Valentines Day everyone! Enjoy these Indian-themed vintage valentines, which can all be found at: http://www.vintagevalentinemuseum.com/2007/06/mechanical-native-american-indian-at.html

Lots more after the jump!

Indian River Light Beer: "At Last, a Beer Native to Manhattan"

 (image via heartlandbrewery.com)

My friend Kayla pointed me (via her friend Tia's Facebook) to Heartland Brewery, straight out of hipster-haven Brooklyn, NY, and their beer called "Indian River". Here is the picture that Tia snapped of their advertisement at a bus stop in Manhattan:

If you can't read it, it says "accents of orange, no pulp" and "At last, a beer native to manhattan".

So lets break this down a little: sexualized woman, most likely not Native, wearing very little clothing, and what she is wearing is sterotypical fringed buckskin, sporting "war paint", a feather, a beer, and a shotgun. Also the bonus of using "native" in the tagline, in case we were unsure of what asthetic they were going for. This takes the cake for rolling about every stereotype ever into one advertisement. In my indignant googling, I found the Heartland Brewery website here.

After the jump, more upsetting labels and some analysis.

Random Appropriation of the Day! (Gearing up for Valentines Day)

Taken at a rest stop on the drive from San Francisco to Portland, OR

(Thanks Kelly and Amy!)

Is Twilight good for the Quileute?

(image via hottopic.com)

Note: This piece assumes some limited knowledge of the Twilight series. If you need some background, look here. :)

I was so happy when I saw this fantastic OpEd in the NY Times about the relationship between the Twilight franchise and the Quileute tribe. The article was written by the Associate Director of American Indian Studies at UCLA, Angela Riley, who is an awesome scholar in Indigenous intellectual property, and it captures a lot of what I have been grappling with in regards to the whole Twilight phenomenon and its affect on Native communities, in particular the Quileute.

Admittedly, I read the entire Twilight series, and am un-apologetically Team Jacob (mostly because I want the Indian to win for once), but I still have a lot of issues with the portrayals of Natives in the books and movies. I'll delve a little into the presented images of the Wolf Pack in my Part 2 post, but first I want to focus on the commercialization, and in many ways, explotation, of the Quileutes.

Help for Cheyenne River

 (image via http://47whitebuffalo.wordpress.com)

In the past few weeks, many of the South Dakota tribes have been hit incredibly hard with the recent winter storms. Many communities are still without power, and power companies estimate it will be another 4-5 weeks before power is restored. With temperatures dipping well below zero, supplies of food and water on the reservations are desperately needed.

with much of the media attention in recent weeks focusing on the big storms in DC, little has been done to help the growing crisis. According to Cheyenne River officials, all types of emergency supplies are needed:

“The tribe this past weekend opened up an emergency fuel fund,” Conrad said. “And people are going around checking on elderly and families with small children. We are working with Dreams of Eagles, a Native American non-profit in Omaha to get supplies up from Omaha this week. Batteries are needed, candles, non-perishable foods, toilet paper, diapers, infant formula and water. Our reports are that the supplies that are getting to the reservation are dispersed rapidly, and some aren’t able to get any.”

Please consider donating to the Cheyenne River--they have an easy online form that goes directly to the tribe and community. Click here to donate!

Supplies and donations can also be shipped to:

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman's Office
Attn: Ice Storm Emergency Supplies
PO Box 590 2001 Main Street (Tribal Offices)
Eagle Butte, SD 57625

Here is the Indian Country Today article detailing the extent of the emergency in the Dakotas: http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/plains/83646472.html

Donation Link: https://secure.piryx.com/donate/0oFFsK8c/Cheyenn-River-Sioux-Tribe/

Appropriations at the Boston Museum of Science

This past weekend I took a trip to the Boston Museum of Science to see the Harry Potter Exhibition (which was amazing and awesome and anyone who is a fan should go see it...but I digress), and since our tickets got us into the rest of the museum, we wandered around the galleries a bit. I didn't even have my Cultural Insensitivity Radar (I should trademark that) on, because I figured "science" would be a safe zone, right?

Apparently not. The above image is a diorama on the second floor, not in the context of an exhibit, in fact kind of just stuck in a hallway. It depicts a "Hopi Indian Village," and is about six inches away from a diorama of an "African Watering Hole".  In addition to the diorama, there was also an interesting display in another part of the about migration and genetics with some eyebrow raising use of graphics and language, and a couple of other small things.

After the jump, more images of the dioramas, as well as the analysis of the migration and genetics display.

Random Appropriation of the Day!

Billabong shirt at TJ Maxx.

Ilka Hartmann Photography

I was pointed to this link via Julia on Twitter (thanks!), and I absolutely love Hartmann's images. She has a large collection of photos on her site, not just of Natives, but I think her most striking images are the ones of urban Indians and AIM leaders from the 1970's and early 80's. I also love that most of the images are from the Bay Area, the place that I called home for the last 6 years--though it does make me a little homesick.

After the jump, more photos and a short video of Hartmann talking about her exhibition in SF which included images from the Alcatraz occupation, AIM events, and the longest walk 1978 (I also included links at the bottom for more information about the history behind the images).

Native Link Roundup

 

(image via www.kdvr.com)

• Push for American Indian garb at CSU game draws fire

Students and administrators at Colorado State University will meet today to talk about a Facebook posting that encouraged fans to wear war paint and feathers to a basketball game this Saturday.
CSU sophomore Ben Margolit asked that CSU fans wear the American Indian garb at the men's home basketball game against the Wyoming Cowboys. His posting sparked comments from detractors who thought it was racist and degrading to American Indians.

•  Wayne Newton advocates for Virginia state recognition of Patawomeck tribe

Playing in the General Assembly building -- what had to be one of the smallest venues of his career -- Newton, 67, described hearing stories from his grandfather about his Native American heritage and absorbing his appreciation of the culture. Both of Newton's parents were half Native American: His father was Patawomeck and his mother was Cherokee. Newton also displayed a picture of his grandfather in full-feathered regalia and passed around a heavy green sash that bore what Newton called a peace medal his ancestors received from Gen. George Washington. 

• Senator says she will withdraw Indian mascot law 

A state lawmaker who ignited a firestorm of controversy by introducing a bill that would require public high schools to get permission to use American Indian mascots said she will withdraw the legislation.Sen. Suzanne Williams, D-Aurora, told the Denver Post she has achieved her goal of starting a community discussion over whether the mascots are appropriate.

• 'Moses' of the Choctaws led the Indian Tribe to Prosperity  

Hailed over the decades as "The Moses of the Choctaws" and "The Indians' Lee Iacocca," Mr. Martin led his tribe into printing and manufacturing of auto parts and electronics at the Mississippi reservation once called "the worst poverty pocket in the poorest state of the Union."

• No change in American Indian mascot names 

Efforts to change American Indian mascot names at Oregon high schools have stalled, more than two years after a state advisory group suggested a ban on them. All 15 Oregon high schools with team names such as the Warriors, the Braves or the Indians are still using them.

Look what I found in the bottom of my purse...

 

I had forgotten I'd grabbed a stir stick from the bar at Disney's Wilderness Lodge. It had been skewering an orange in my beer in a previous life.  

Previous post: 

Appropriations at Disney World Part 3: Disney's Wilderness Lodge:

http://nativeappropriations.blogspot.com/2010/01/appropriations-at-disney-world-part-3.html

You too can own your very own Tommy Tomahawk!

 For the low price of $699.99 (It's on sale!). The description:

This Indian Brave Mascot Costume gives a boost to your school spirit.  Shindigz is your place to find the fiercest and most affordable mascot costumes.

Fierce AND affordable. 

http://www.shindigz.com/party/Indian-Mascot.cfm

(Thanks Scott!)

The Strange Case of the Hipster Headdress

 

(anyone know the source? I love this!) 

I think the graphic above (which I totally want on a shirt) sums it up well, but am I the only one who is baffled by the hipster headdress phenomenon? I've been trying to break it down, thinking back to the hippies of the past--connections to nature, to the mystical, against the mainstream, etc--but those stereotypes just don't seem to fit with today's hipster stereotypes. I'm guessing it's just an iteration of the tribal fashion trends, with a little bit of the desire to be counter culture thrown in there. 

After the jump, several examples from around the internets, and examples of how indie music has hopped on the appropriation train--Juliette Lewis and the Licks and Bat for Lashes are both fans of the hipster headdress. 

Random Appropriation of the Day!

 

via peopleofwalmart.com. The pink hat is a nice addition. 

(Thanks Desi!)

Random Appropriation of the Day! (Holiday Edition)

Via Regretsy.com (one of my favorite blogs, it finds weird handmade things for sale on Etsy.com). In case you can't read it, the description says:

An original painting on leather with acrylic paint. Tracy Rose Moyers hand-crafted and hand-painted this Native American Shield. A Native American shield is based on the Warrior's shield. A good shield was believed capable of affording the bearer the protection of the Great Spirit. They frequently bore sacred feathers or symbolic pictures of animals who customarily had appeared to the owner during a vision, which thought to endow him with the qualities of the animals that were depicted.

 ...sure, ok. For those of you in warmer climes, just letting you know our dear friend Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Thanks, Phil. So much.

Regretsy Post: http://www.regretsy.com/2010/02/02/punxsutawney-filler/

Original Etsy page (you can buy this!): http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20934648