howl-ween is over

but now it's #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth!!

remember that Native American culture isn't a monolith, there are 574 federally recognized tribes! each community has generations of traditions and cultures that are specific to that tribe.

start learning to recognize different cultures over "pan Indian" culture. a lot of things are adopted/shared by a good bit of tribes but there are also a ton of differences to appreciate.

if something is labeled as just "Native American" and not specifying a tribe >

it's most likely appropriation or "pan Indian" culture.

it's important to start learning those distinctions so you can support inspired Natives, not "Native Inspired" things.

it's time to start supporting more Native communities, businesses, and people.

here are some Native artists in the furry community that you can support! and if you're Native, then feel free to drop your work below!

@Tonya_Song
@BangtanPebbles
@TY_PESH
@WildDoggoRhia
@c_rberus
@RoaminBison
@KraftyCritter
@Wolfofshadow2
@LakeMutt

i also want to note that pan Indian culture isn't bad! it's just hard for folks who aren't Native to understand where the line draws between appropriation and pan Indian culture. a lot of tribes adopted traditions from other communities and turned it into their own.

this gives tribes a general idea of things shared among communities, creating Pan Indian culture. this is usually what you'll find at inter-tribal powwows.

there is a lot of history behind this, so i recommend reading more on it!

https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=PA010