Cultural Identity Theft

We all seen the commercials about "Identity Theft" and read or seen news programs on the subject. People have been plague with some serious problems financially due to this so called "victimless" crime. But there is another crime that does just as much harm as someone using your personal information for monetary gain- it's called Cultural Identity Theft.

Cultural Identity theft has been rampant since before Financial Identity theft was even conceived. Some people think it is okay to portray themselves as Native Americans- sometimes at sporting events, other times as holistic healers. Others claim Native blood through dreams or other inaccurate histories or information.It seems to be an ongoing plight for our people that others see an opportunity to make profit off a community that was decimated by years of oppression and disease. Far too many "plastic" Indians are popping up all over the Americas charging for sacred ceremonies, sweats, and traditional regalia items- along with mixing other Nation's ceremonies together with New age, Wicca, Christianity, Hindu, Kabbalah, and other Eastern philosophies. This is downright an abomination against our people and the Creator who gave us these sacred rights, and no one should benefit financially through abuse of such rights. These ceremonies were given freely, and they should be receive in such a manner. This is a crime, and it should be dealt with as a crime- no outsider should ever be allowed to charge money for a gift that was given out of love for the people of Turtle Island.

If you been a victim of Cultural Identity Theft- speak out about it. We have the power to stop this crime from taking anymore victims- we been victimized enough for over 500 years.