Yukon First Nations artists say they want to see legislation in place to protect Indigenous creators from cultural appropriators. Artist and workshop facilitator Stormy Bradley said she's been noticing the issue for years, but lately, it's been getting worse. When Bradley walked into this year's Spruce Bog, Whitehorse's annual craft fair, it was "devastating" to count the number of non-Indigenous people selling beadwork.
She recognized at least one individual from a workshop she taught. "I know beadwork isn't inherently native," said Bradley. "I know there are many cultures out there that do beadwork .
.. and a lot of my beads are Japanese beads and you know, they come from all over.
"But if you're taking my First Nations workshop and you're going to make a business out of it, and you're not native, I don't think that's right." Stormy Bradley teaching beading on National Indigenous Peoples Day at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. (Submitted by Stormy Bradley) Bradley said she now starts every workshop with a disclaimer.
"Taking my workshop, paying to be here, creating gifts for families and loved ones, that's cultural appreciation," she tells them. "Buying artwork off Indigenous artists, that's cultural appreciation. "But if you were to take my workshop and decide to start a beading business, claiming Indigenous space and taking Indigenous money and grants, that's cultural appropriation.
" 'We are having an issue in the Yukon' Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé is an artist, curator .
