Read the article but wasn't aware of the discussion at all...shows how often I visit tribe.net...heh..

One thing, there's a response at the end of the article, posted below it, which reads in part:
(...)
In all of the web wars that have resulted from this mistake being brought to Visionary Village's attention, little has been done to educate themselves to understand the Native American community's perspective, accept responsibility and apologize for the obvious ignorance, and move on to a place of greater understanding and true support for one another. This article did nothing more than provide a platform for further distortion of the facts by yet another unaccountable contributor to this growing conflict. East Bay Express reporters should accurately cover the history behind the anger, giving a balanced coverage of the tears and frustration on all sides, as well as offering solutions such as supporting the ongoing struggles of Native American communities like the Western Shoshone to defend their sacred places from Barrick Gold Corporation. How many Emeryville residents know they are living on sacred Ohlone ground where developers destroyed a shell mound and named a mall after it? The East Bay Express can spread awareness of the Shell Mound Walk that happens each year and provide links to for concerned people to get involved at websites like www.vallejointertribalcouncil.org, bsnorrell.blogspot.com, and www.blackmesais.org. The article also failed to cover the greater awareness and responsibility that is now being held by courageous and humble non-native individuals who stopped defending their ignorance, and have benefited from this wake up call.

Conflict can serve to transform peoples' understanding dramatically. Though the article represents a missed opportunity for that possibility, further pieces that delve deeper and honor the wisdom and experience of Native voices might perhaps offer some remedy to the oversights and misrepresentation in the article that was printed.
(...)

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My own appraisal of this thing is that it does sound like the Visionary folks were out of line, as they openly used American Indian nations in their promos and design.

Had they merely promoted the idea of coming in one's native dress, tho, I would challenge. Because we are all descendents of tribal peoples. As one who goes around the country in my own semblance of (euro-mutt) native styling, in order to surprise and possibly deeply inspire other creatives to escape the ghettos of 'operative art' and mobilize their radically creative intelligence, i have, for one, been challenged; and yet i persist.

i was challenged twice, directly, to think carefully about what i was up to. And a few other times indirectly.

The two direct times came about very very powerfully. You can read about one of them here:
www.angelfire.com/folk/magixn...ggindex.html (read the one about my action into a pow wow in MI)

If anyone has any reservations/challenges for me, i'm up for a scathing critique of such. i'm always open to input. But do note that the fake hair i used to use was never black (if that helps at all); and the arting wayz of my outfit was never following any ndn tradition. It was my own, which had been coming to me for more than 20 years!

for what this all may be worth (to your evolving hearts).....