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Every summer I take my children camping with a group of homeschooler families. This year’s trip is to a 17th century reconstruction of an Iroquoian village. The trip includes observing a ‘day-in-the-life’, performances of traditional Native dance and storytelling, canoeing down the river and sleeping in a longhouse. The goal of the village is to preserve and educate people about Native culture. I have never been there but have compiled information based on the promotional materials provided by our group organizer, the village website and discussions with people who have visited the village in the past. A year ago I never would have questioned going along with the group and would have seen the opportunity as fun and exciting. Now I wonder if this would be cultural appropriation and if going on this trip perpetuates stereotypes of Canada’s indigenous peoples. Starhawk, in “Cultural Appropriation” writes, “we can experience and learn from a multiplicity of cultures and spiritual traditions” but that “issues of entitlement and authenticity need to be addressed” (201).

It would be simple to say that camping at a historic site is an educational opportunity. Read more »

Since the Blogher conference on 30 July 2005 the blogosphere has been filled with posts galore about the experience, the knowledge sharing, the future of blogging, and the building of a blogging community with personal friendships at its core.

For all those people who cannot make it to California, I’m suggesting we put together a Canadian version of the Blogher Conference, here in the great North.

• Who would like to attend?
• Who would like to help plan?
• Who wants to sponsor?