The subject of cultural appropriation is a sticky one, often because it is either misunderstood or because it is dismissed as unimportant. There are valid reasons why we, as Indigenous people, want a little extra protection around our styles, designs and images. Four hundred years of intentional cultural genocide requires time and space to recover our heritage and have it grow strong again; we do not want interference and/or appropriation to muddy the waters.
Here is a link to some information that we would like everyone to read and to use:
Think-Before-You-Appropriate.pdf (carfac.ca)
Thunderbird beaded earrings and photo courtesy of Diane Hannah