This “Teepee” for your pets has been making the rounds on all sorts of design blogs on the internet in the last week or so. So random. And it’s cardboard, not exactly a plush hangout for your “fluffy little critter”. The description reads:
This Tipi, entirely made of recycled corrugated cardboard, distinguishes itself through its innovative design inspired by a classic symbol of Canadian iconography, The Amerindian culture and the collective imagination associated with it.
Which is actually kinda interesting. Note they used the correct spelling in the description, but not in the title, and the phrase “collective imagination,” which could be interpreted that they realize that the stereotype this tipi represents is not necessarily a true depiction of Native culture…but that might be giving them more credit than they deserve.
Here it is without cats:
And the website: https://us.loyalluxe.com/show-all/the-native-american-teepee.html
Comments
Well, that’s different! And raises an interesting question…
If you readily acknowledge that this tipi represents a generalized, popular idea of the Amerindian, does that make it okay?
Can you ever invoke stereotypical Native designs and imagery without also contributing to and reinforcing those stereotypes?
I also had to read the “Who are we?” link at the bottom and confirm that indeed the designers are Canadian. No American would ever think of using the word “Amerindian”!
If there is a market people will sell it. I may start selling Earth from the Sundance grounds. “You will benefit from the sacrifice and prayers of the Indian”.
http://www.examiner.com/outdoor-living-in-eugene/white-buffalo-hair-sacred-to-native-peoples-but-now-sold-oregon
Selling of the hair from a White Buffalo.
@ Stephen,
Maybe if the “generalized, popular idea” were not what a majority of non-Native people (in the U.S.; sorry, I don’t know about Canada) actually believed!
A majority of Americans could likely read the words “The Amerindian culture” and not even blink.