After you have viewed the lecture and completed your reading please answer
the questions below. We suggest you write 160-200 words for your forum post. without any references
Erikson says that ‘popular American culture is rife with images of what a “real Indian” is and what “authentic” behaviour should be.’ This allegedly “pure” Native American culture is “frozen” in time (prior to colonisation). From an environmental anthropological point of view what is problematic about this construction of indigeneity? While whaling is a long-standing practice in Makah society, steeped in tradition, why are various aspects of contemporary Makah whaling seen by some anti-whaling activists as “inauthentic”. What similarities do you see with the Australian examples presented in the case studies in the lecture?
