Sandi L Boucher uses the metaphor of an unwanted suitor to describe how First Nation communities experience non-indigenous businesses entering their spaces. She offers practical advice on buying authentic indigenous art instead of appropriated versions.
Chapters
Okay, I'm going to talk to my female followers for a moment. You know that person that just keeps hitting on you, keep sending you texts, keeps calling, keeps emailing, keeps showing up, whatever it is, just relentless. They've made it clear they're interested in you. And even though you've given zero encouragement, they're still there and they're still trying. By the way, guys, let me know if that ever happens to you. I'd be willing to bet it happens to you too. We got to talk about that type of suitor. And my story today, my point may not be what you think it's going to be. Let's talk about it. Hi, everybody. My name is Sandy Boucher. I'm Red Thunderbolt, woman of the loon clan and a proud member of Seine River first nation in Treaty 3 territory in Northern Ontario. And in the opening of this video and in my blog post, I talked about that unwanted suitor, that relentless. But I really like you and I want to be with you and why won't you talk to me and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And we. If you've experienced that, and I unfortunately, I'd be willing to bet most people watching this, male or female, have experienced this. Well, you've just experienced. Experienced many what it feels like to many First Nation communities and the people within it when non indigenous business incorporation shows up at the door. I call them bulldozers. Those people that are in your face. We have what you need. We want to work with you. You have no idea how amazing it could be. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. No breathing space, no room. Hard sell. Ever been to one of those stores where the people just come right to your side as soon as you walk in that hard sell? That's what it feels like. And can you stop it already? How is that relationship building? How is that respectful? You know what that is to me? You totally focused on your bottom line. You totally focused on your target. You as in the non indigenous pushy person that's got flip all to do with me. You haven't even noticed that I haven't signed on for this, that I'm not interested because you're too busy being a bulldozer. We can do way better. As in a previous video, I talked about how loyal indigenous customers are, that once we find you and we're comfy with you, we're customers for life. We're not customers for life with the bulldozer. We might have to endure you if we really need something done in our community. But this is not a relationship built to last. Because as soon as we find someone that makes us way less uncomfortable and actually hears us, we're out of there. Don't say I didn't warn you. What'd you think? Comment below. Send me an email. I'd love to hear it. No bulldozers today. No, no, no. Hard sell. Doesn't work in a noise. Everybody, until tomorrow. I love you. Take care. Bye. Bye. Okay, so today's video was short, so I thought I would add in this little bonus content because I know so many non indigenous people really worry about cultural appropriation. It scares the daylights out of them. They want to be able to buy indigenous crafts and. And paintings and beadwork and whatever, but they want to make sure that it's authentic, that they're supporting the right people. They do not want to be accused of cultural appropriation. And I just needed to share something with you, something that I found this weekend that I was absolutely thrilled about. So I happened to go back to my small hometown for the weekend, and I. While I was there, I happened to go into this small gas station, and because of its location, it was touristy. You know, it had all the arts and crafts things you can buy. And as a general rule, those are the kind of places where you're gonna find indigenous crafts made in Japan or something. It's. It's not going to be authentic. So I was looking around, and then I came across this amazing tote bag that I just absolutely fell in love with. And I thought, but is it legit? I don't know. It was incredibly dark in the store, so I had a good vibe about it. I decided to risk. Wasn't expensive, so I thought, meh, I'll give it a shot. And I bought it. And when I got back home, it had its little tag on it for one. This says, indigenous collection, original art entitled Community strength by Simone McLeod. She's Ojibwe. On the back, it says authentic indigenous art. Now, anyone who's heard my videos on cultural appropriation, that's what you want to hear. Authentic indigenous, right? You do not want to hear indigenous inspired. If it says indigenous inspired, it's telling you it's cultural appropriation. Do not buy it. So, and then the icing on the cake, the may the part that made me feel so good, listen to this. Authentic indigenous art. The artist has been paid a royalty for the sale of this product. So the bag itself was mass produced, but the art was authentic, and it benefited the artist. That's the kind of thing you need to find when you want to buy your crafts and beadwork. Authentic, not indigenous. Inspired. Until tomorrow. I hope that helped. Let me know what you thought. Until tomorrow. I love you. Take care. Bye. Bye.
