Cultural Appropriation

We have been discussing in class whether or not it is okay for someone to tell stories from another culture. I fall on the side of yes, if it is done respectfully, since often times it is hard to pin a tale down to just one culture. All tales are influenced by multiple sources, and often have parallels around the world. Once someone tells a tale, it is changed, adapted to the teller...regardless of their heritage.

While viewing some storytelling videos I came across an interesting example of one group appropriating another culture's tale for its own purposes. The DVD is called "Run to High Ground," and features storyteller Viola Riebe of the Hoh tribe telling the traditional tale of Obi and the tsunami. What was interesting to me is that at the end of the film there was a PSA. It turns out the 15 minute DVD had not been an attempt to preserve traditional Native American culture, but rather had been sponsored by the Washington Military Department Emergency Management Division. Its sole purpose was to educate children, grades K-6, as to proper safety procedures when on the coast during and following an earthquake.

Interesting.