The Quebec-Labrador First Nations Economic Development Commission recently unveiled a logo1 created by Algonquin artist Frank Polson to authenticate the products and services produced by members of First Nations communities, in particular arts and crafts. The logo features a bear, a symbol of respect and courage, colorful and vibrant in the image of Mr. Polson’s art. The idea behind the creation of a logo was brought by a group of First Nations women and aims, among other things, to counter cultural appropriation. Many so-called “native” products and services currently on the market cast a certain blur on what is and what is not. The logo will thus be able to define a certain unique label which will have direct positive benefits for the members of the First Nations.
Cultural appropriation is all in all common, and has been for a while. It is not exclusive to Indigenous products and services. However, unlike the United States, where theIndian Arts and Crafts Act of 19902 only allows the sale of Indigenous arts and crafts by someone who is eligible for a license, Canada does not have such legislation. To obtain a license, people must demonstrate that they belong to a Nation (Tribe) officially recognized. Those who violate this legislation are liable to civil or criminal fines of up to US $ 250,000 for a first offense or imprisonment for five years. Such provisions certainly dissuade many from unduly appropriating the livelihoods of several native families! In Canada, if such legislation existed, the notion of eligible person would most likely refer to section 35 (2) of the Constitution Act, 1982 : “In this Act, indigenous peoples of Canada include the Indians, Inuit and Métis of Canada.3. “
In this era of reconciliation, where the possibilities for Indigenous people seem more promising, many people believe in self-identification as Indigenous (declaring themselves Indigenous) and exposing the legacy of their distant Indigenous ancestor to the public. day – an ancestor more often than not dating back to the very beginning of colonization.
By the way, many of them do not hesitate to appropriate the know-how of different Nations or to claim to possess knowledge (or even to create such knowledge from scratch) in order to make everything as lucrative as possible.
As it often turns out to be difficult to publicly denounce identity theft, which, let’s face it, generates a certain emotional charge, which most members of the various Nations do not wish to absorb, the creating a logo is obviously beneficial.
Instead of the reprisals, formal notices, intimidation – and so on – that denunciations generally produce, the logo will focus on the authenticity of the artisan, on knowledge. millennium that this individual carries, and to celebrate, despite all the attacks of the past on indigenous cultures, the perpetuity of this heritage.
Finally, it is certainly delicate and complex for most people to fully understand the dynamics surrounding identity theft and to navigate them properly. However, anyone can consciously opt for a product or service with the logo as a pledge of authenticity. It is a promising, positive approach that will allow people wishing to purchase these products or services to do so in the most enlightened manner possible. Now the choice is yours.
Wli nib8ïamih8mek ta wli ngwejigaden!
(Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)