Current Topics in Museum Studies:
Issues in Native American Representation
Larry J. Zimmerman
IUPUI Department of Anthropology

White Shamans and Plastic Medicine Men

A film by Terry Macy and Dan Hart, produced for Native Voices Public Television, running time 26 Minutes, 1995

White Shamans and Plastic Medicine Men is a one-half hour documentary dealing with the popularization and commercialization of Native American spiritual traditions by Non-Indians. Important questions are asked of those seeking to exploit ritual and sacred ceremony and of those vested with safeguarding sacred ways. This documentary is thematically organized, and deals with romantic stereotypes and copying, the impatience of new age practitioners contrasted to the fact that indigenous spiritual traditions are thousands of years old, and the proselytizing nature of these new age practitioners. The film represents a wide range of voices from several native communities, and speaks to issues of cultural appropriation with humor, righteous anger, and thoughtful insight. (The description and photo are from the Native Voices Public Television, with thanks.)

Study Questions:

1. What are the motivations for many non-Indians who take use Indian religious practices?
2. Do you think any of them are aware of the problems caused by what they do?
3. Do you think any of them consider the possible dangers related to their appropriation of Indian religion?
4. Which of the non-Indian people interviewed might be the most aware of the fact that they are exploiting Indian religion and people?
5. What are some of the recognizable names discussed in the video?
6. When non-Indians appropriate elements of Indian religions, what does it say about their view of the complexity of Indian cultural practices?
7. Why do they think it is okay to do use Indian religious practices?

You may wish to read several of the statements regarding these problems from a range of web sites.

• American Indian Movement Arizona Chapter addresses the Desecration of Sacred Ceremonies
• Declaration of War Against Exploiters of Lakota Spirituality