Toronto Carnival band slammed for cultural appropriation: 'You show total disrespect for our First Nations women'

A popular Carnival mas band has been accused of appropriating Native Canadian culture by incorporating Aboriginal headdresses in their latest set of costumes. Carnival Nationz is set to participate in the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival in August — the theme is meant to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary— but many are saying the mas band’s headdresses simply represent cultural appropriation.

“You are appropriating and disrespecting Indigenous customs. Turning culturally important regalia and outfits into costumes worn by non-indigenous people,” one man commented on their Facebook page. “This is not right, you are not representing something or helping by doing this, even if your intention is to celebrate the diversity of Canadian culture, this is not the way.”

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“You show total disrespect for our First Nations women. This is not OK,” another person commented. “These ‘costumes’ need to be taken out of the festival. This in no way represents our values or culture.”

The “culturally offensive” costumes were previously shared on the group’s Instagram page but have since been removed, but you can see other costumes included in this year’s carnival:

Carnival Nationz, which has won Toronto Carnival Band of the Year eight times, released a statement on their Instagram and Facebook pages (the Facebook post has since been removed) that they intended “to pay homage to Canada’s First Nation’s people” but erred in the presentation of some of the pieces.

“We apologize to anyone who we offended and hurt by our presentation. Our intention was not to be disrespectful to the First Nation’s people but to be inclusive of them and to celebrate their true contribution to Canada.”

The statement continues that the group had a “meaningful discussion with Sue-Ann, from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation,” a few weeks prior to the launch and that they extended an invitation at that meeting to the First Nation’s people, through Sue-Ann, to be a part of their presentation for this year’s Toronto Carnival parade.

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“We spoke of their traditional Pow Wows. She spoke highly of the Medicine Wheel and Four Colours of Man. She follows the Pow Wow Trails and was able to help us understand the depth and richness of her People and Heritage,” the statement continued. “We left this powerful meeting inspired and the pieces produced for the sections were products of this positive interaction.”

“We are in the process of speaking further with Chief and Council of a First Nation Band for further directive to make sure our 2017 depiction is authentic to the First Nation’s people of Canada.”

As of publication, the original Facebook post (which has since been removed) included a photo of Sue-Anne’s status card, which resulted in further irate comments.

“Please take this photo down. It is literally putting this woman in harm’s way. Your extra efforts to consult is commended but posting this status card is not worth trying to prove your point.”

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And the statement still didn’t convince everyone:

“It’s great that you’re now doing outreach and consultation but unless you’re hiring a consultant to speak on behalf of all Indigenous nations across Canada (please read sarcasm) then you’re doing this all wrong,” another person commented.

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