Chief Scout Executive
Boy Scouts of America
1325 West Walnut Hill Lane
PO Box 152079
Irving, Texas 75015-2079


Dear Sir,

Inclosed is a recommendation for a policy regarding the use of American Indian themes which a group of concerned people, white and American Indin, have written and are urging our local council to adopt. We understand that BSA may have similar policies but, based on what we've seen, our councils scouters may not be aware of or choose to ignore. Being a Scout leader with distant American Indian heritage I honor my heritage and belong to a pow-wow drum and participate in some of the spiritual functions of the culture. Occasionally the drum I belong to gets invited to scout functions with these themes. During these times we take the time to educate groups about American Indian culture. We share with them and try to change the misconceptions and stereotypes that they might have.

Additionally there seems to be policies especially in the OA that seem to contradict one another. There is also literature that is inaccurate. One source is the Indian Lore Merit Badge Pamphlet. One item in particular is the reference made to the Eastern Sioux or Dakota found on page 20 of the pamphlet, based on the information the Dakota are a Western Algonquin Tribe. This is incorrect, the Eastern Sioux or Dakota are part of the Nation that includes the Lakota or Teton Sioux who actually lived on the great plains and have so many articles written about them. The Dakota speak a macro siouian dialect not an Algonquin one such as the other nations listed with them! Additionally on page 27 the author makes reference to the Midewinn (Grand Medicine Society) of the Winnebago, from what I understand from my Chippewa friends it is more likely Chippewa and not Winnebago.

Another concern for us is the use of face and body paint. As I understand there is a National policy that prohibits it? The use of paint from what my elders taught me is that it was to be used only by warriors as a protective medicine or if a person had a vision or was told by a holy man to wear it. So there are very "religious" connotations to its use. Imagine my surprise to see a boy wearing paint on the cover of Boys Life Magazine.

As I stated earlier I am a scout leader. In addition to being a Scoutmaster I also am an advisor for our councils OA Lodge where I serve as American Indian Culture Advisor. I work to educate the scouts involved in ceremonies and other issues related to American Indian Culture. I do this by writing articles for our lodges news letter, presentations, LLDC breakout sessions, etc. I even researched the tribal names which our councils long term camps troop sites are named for so that the scouts will have a better understanding about these Nations.

BSA needs to get a better understanding about non European cultures. I would encourage you to look at the possiblity of changing / correcting policies, literature, etc. at the National level as well as encouraging our local council to adopt the policy statement we've proposed, and also encourage all other councils to adopt similar policies. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter!

Respectfully,

 

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