Popular American Cultural Theft of Totem Poles

The story of the Ritz Sauna Totem pole is rich with cultural history. The Ritz Sauna has been associated with the Oregon Country Fair since the beginnings of the fair. They have a large display area at the fair full of copies of native art. They have a replica plank house with native style art and large extravagant raptor figures. It is very interesting that some people have segregated the one issue of a native totem pole from the long history and practice of using native cultural art and figures and even mascot-like figures at the fair. The fair is … Continue reading Popular American Cultural Theft of Totem Poles

An Issue of Cultural Appropriation in Context

Over the past five centuries every manner of negative action was taken against Indigenous peoples. Murder, genocide, holocaust, slavery, indentured servitude, theft, extortion, kidnapping, deliberately introducing diseases, wiping out the food sources of the people, total war, razing of cities … Continue reading An Issue of Cultural Appropriation in Context