A small group of picketers held up signs outside of the Chop Shop on Friday, May 23, to protest an electronic music event called “Pow Wow 2.” Created by local music promoter Mikey Tookie as an event to celebrate the art of people from diverse backgrounds, last year’s “Pow Wow” drew attention for the use of Native American regalia and imagery at a non-Native American event.
- Photo by Mert Jones
- Wesley Stevens, Tawa Poplin-Redhouse and Kayla Holland protest the Pow Wow on May 23, 2014.
A commentary by Desiree Kane published in Creative Loafing earlier this week drew strong reactions from both sides of the argument – is it racist for non-Native people to wear Native American regalia, which is considered sacred and religious to many tribes?
Wesley Stevens, one of the protesters, commented that people can “have a pow wow, just do it respectfully.”
- Photo by Mert Jones
- Kyle Buffkin, who is 50 percent Native American, attended the Pow Wow on May 23, 2014.
Kyle Buffkin, who attended Pow Wow 2 wearing a headdress and is 50 percent Native American, said, “My dad thinks it’s awesome. It’s just an event and a way to dress up and express yourself.”
Chop Shop owner Jay Tilyard noted the line is somewhat blurred when it comes to what is “allowed” or not. “So, if a guy is 100 percent Native American, it’s cool to wear regalia, but what if someone is 50 percent Native American, or 25 percent? What are the rules?” Tilyard said by phone the day after Pow Wow 2. “Is it then a type of segregation if you say you can only do something if you’re part of a race? With young people, they see someone wearing regalia and think it looks cool and want to wear it, too. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It’s not like people are dressing up as cowboys and pretending to shoot the people who are dressed in Native American attire.”
- Photo by Mert Jones
- Mikey Tookie
To his credit, Tookie, after learning Pow Wow offended some people last year, removed Native American imagery from this year’s flyer and decorations. He also asked go-go dancers the Chaotic Cupcakes not to wear any Native American-inspired outfits to this year’s event.
Though there were plenty of heated comments on Kane’s article online, the few people protesting were calm and cordial to event-goers, and vice versa.
“I went out to the protesters and gave them water and made sure they were comfortable,” Tilyard said. “I even gave them advice for their signs so they could make it clear what they were protesting – mostly it was the use of headdresses, not the event or the venue. We made sure no one was messing with them either. The whole thing was peaceful and cool.”
- Photo by Mert Jones
- Pow Wow attendees James McQuary, Cali Good and Freddie Anson.
Comments posted by event-goers on social media say the event was a success and full of positive vibes.
EDM events stand by a creed of Peace Love Unity Respect (PLUR), but some people, Native and not, see the use of Native American imagery as disrespectful, if not racist. On one hand, attendees say there’s nothing disrespectful about wearing Native American regalia in a positive and creative way. The other side says the simple act of non-Natives wearing Native American regalia is offensive. It’s a debate that has gone on for decades and, sadly, will likely continue for decades to come.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2014.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. This Tookie kid sounds like he would also see nothing wrong with the team name ‘Redskins’, I hope people stop attending his events.
I love the dismissive apologistic tone this article takes on the issue of cultural appropriation, and how they quoted the Chop Shop owner as some guru into tolerance. What are the rules when it comes to wearing Native American regalia? Where is the line drawn? Simple. They’re made by Native Americans, and the line is drawn at the end of Native American identity? Outside that line? You’re racist. Simple as that.
Efforts to enforce the purity of different ethnic groups is the very definition of racism. Our diversity is not a weakness, it is our strength. Each new group we admit brings new ideas, and cultural norms. They should not be lines drawn in the sand, they should be absorbed into the harmonious whole.
White people are offensive and tend to be more more offended than any other race. I’m a hundred percent not white and I suppose I owed you guys a thank you for standing up for us non whites. Wow guys we really appreciate the social justice white people create like its done huge surprise when one of you does some racially insensitive shit. White have been and will remain racially insensitive and if you think writing a ,marginal at best, article is going to help then sorry your the problem too. Team white folks always swooping in for us less fortunate brown people. Fuck off sincerely us.
Next up: Romans offended by Toga Parties, party host, Frank Washington, 27 year old – Black male, is seen as a racist as he clearly does not understand the culture
This protest is misguided. The protesters themselves are propagating the idea of racism. Show me a native american that is truly offended by this event being called a powwow and i’ll eat my words.
Thank you Tookie and Chop Shop for hosting great EDM events. The public, the event attendees, and social media know that you’re not racist or attempting to promote some type of insensitive hate-mongering ideal that discredits or makes a joke of Native American culture. Personally, I think drawing attention to to Native American culture, it’s beauty, and it’s spiritual way of life is a good thing, especially when those peaceful, loving, unifying, and respectful ideals are promoted to the youth.
whayeverusay:
Thank you for reminding us that not all racists are white.
The original use and meaning of Native American headdress has evolved over the last 180 years of cultural appropriation. Now, music festival goers are under attack for style-copying the war bonnet. The anti-headdress drumbeat shouts false claims of genocide & racism, and unnecessarily attempts to create villains and guilt.
http://aoxoa.co/native-american-headdress-music-festival/