For many, Halloween is an exciting time of year. For people whose cultures are caricatured and appropriated, it can be a difficult time. As educators, we must prevent harm by engaging students in critical conversations about cultural appropriation, stereotypes and caricature versus culture.

This is supported by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, action #63 iii - Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect. "Indigenous" costumes stereotype, misrepresent, disrespect, and dehumanize Indigenous peoples. To learn more, please see the resources below, which were compiled by the Urban Indigenous Education Centre. @UIEC_tdsb

Videos

#IAMNOTACOSTUME (Elementary)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGh3JM_uEQM

Video: Indigenous folk try on costumes (Secondary)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frX69E9pkf8

Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation (Professional Resource)

https://etfofnmi.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cultural.pdf

Articles

My Culture Is Not Your Costume

https://www.cbc.ca/parents/learning/view/my-culture-is-not-your-or-your-kids-halloween-costume

 

Indigenous Students Speak...

https://www.ubyssey.ca/culture/indigenous-identities-are-not-costumes/
 

Demeaning Costumes

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/indigenous-halloween-costumes-calgary-1.4837220
 

Unreserved Radio Segment
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/standing-up-and-speaking-out-meet-indigenous-people-motivated-to-take-action-1.4857364/it-s-demeaning-to-our-women-petition-wants-indigenous-costumes-pulled-from-spirit-halloween-shelves-1.4857661