Showing posts with label native American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label native American. Show all posts

Thursday, October 8, 2009

How do you make an Indian unhappy?

OK. So I work with the Tohono O'odham in the hay sales office. It is not a high volume traffic office. I have to answer phones (maybe 3-10 calls each day), clean the offices (sweep, mop, dust & sanitize), and sell hay. Between customers and after my chores are finished, I can craft or read.

My craft of choice is beading. I do several different stitches, but I work mainly in peyote stitch. I had a customer come in and his eyes lit up. He was needed someone who did the peyote stitch for his Native American feather fans. He was just so happy. I really hated to disappoint him. He came in on another day with a sample of what he was doing, a beautiful fan. Then I told him the bad news.

I am not Native American. He needed someone who was Native American to do the work, in order to keep the authenticity. He was so disappointed.

I am aware of the Act prohibiting non-Natives from presenting their work as American Indian, and would not do anything to jeopardize his product. I was flattered that he considered my work of a quality he could utilize.

I did offer to teach someone the stitch, so he could continue with his fine work. I hope he will be able to find someone to do the work for him.

UPDATE: Johnny came in and I made him an offer. I will teach anyone, he wants, to bead. He was thrilled with this. He knows of a woman who is alone and has a lot of time on her hands, and getting involved with beading would be great for her.