Meyer violated Quileute etiquette
Educator Debbie Reese noted this page on the Quileute Nation website. It seems to be a response to the Twilight hoopla.
Indian Country EtiquetteTraditionally, our people are hospitable and generous in nature. However, spiritual teachings, sacred ceremonies and burial grounds, are not openly shared with the public.
We are proud of our teachings, and our heritage. They have been passed to us by our ancestors, and represent thousands of years of our individual histories. Your patience and understanding of our traditions and cultures is appreciated. Comment: In Reese's blog entry, someone posted a defense of Stephenie Meyer's methodology:Shayana said...
With regards to, "However, spiritual teachings, sacred ceremonies and burial grounds, are not openly shared with the public." This may be a response to the crowds, but Stephenie never has a sacred ceremony or burial ground scene in her books. The one episode of "teachings" has to do with the wolf pack and those who know of it, exclusively. Even other members of the tribe who aren't aware of the wolf history aren't there. Only those who know about the boys and their transformations are allowed. Stephenie never published a scene where Bella was watching a tribal ceremony. They were sacred, and she did not go there. Meyer presented a long passage of spiritual "teachings"--i.e., her phony version of the Quileute Nation's cultural history and beliefs. Her characters may not have shared these teachings with anyone outside the tribe, but she shared them with tens of millions of outsiders.
Sounds to me like the tribe is gently chastising Meyer (and her followers). Meyer did what Reese has warned us against many times: (mis)appropriating Native legends.
For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.
Below: "I'm proud of my Indian heritage too! Awooooo!"
Indian Country Etiquette
We are proud of our teachings, and our heritage. They have been passed to us by our ancestors, and represent thousands of years of our individual histories. Your patience and understanding of our traditions and cultures is appreciated.
With regards to, "However, spiritual teachings, sacred ceremonies and burial grounds, are not openly shared with the public." This may be a response to the crowds, but Stephenie never has a sacred ceremony or burial ground scene in her books. The one episode of "teachings" has to do with the wolf pack and those who know of it, exclusively. Even other members of the tribe who aren't aware of the wolf history aren't there. Only those who know about the boys and their transformations are allowed. Stephenie never published a scene where Bella was watching a tribal ceremony. They were sacred, and she did not go there.
Sounds to me like the tribe is gently chastising Meyer (and her followers). Meyer did what Reese has warned us against many times: (mis)appropriating Native legends.
For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.
Below: "I'm proud of my Indian heritage too! Awooooo!"
posted by Rob at 2:00 PM
2 Comments:
"Sounds to me like the tribe is gently chastising Meyer (and her followers). Meyer did what Reese has warned us against many times: (mis)appropriating Native legends."
Or perhaps some giggling Twihards have been tramping around the cemetaries around La Push.
Wow, I am really interested in reading this stuff as I have an interest and a stake in Indigenous Australian issues. As a fan of the books I am also interested in reading stories like the ones where young girls go up to Rob Pattinson and scratch their necks inviting him to have a bit of nibble. This is of course ridiculous because TWILIGHT IS A WORK OF FICTION. Yes, it revolves some real places and real communities, like most films, but surely everyone can accept that it is not factually based in it's tale. If that line is blurred for you in the context of the Indigenous content it is your issue, not Stephenie Meyer's. This is hollywood, not the UN.
I am also interested in the concept "where native america meets pop culture" does that mean that native america is not an element of pop culture? Just a different perspective to add to the very valuable discussion that the films generate (thanks for the opportunity Stephenie).
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