Introduction
“This Boat Is My Boat” is a journal article by Drew Hayden Taylor, an Indigenous Canadian playwright, author, and journalist. His article raises essential questions about intercultural interaction and the importance of respecting other people’s cultural traditions. “This Boat Is My Boat” offers some food for thought, prompting one to view the situation from a completely different angle and consider cultural heritage. This essay highlights the main details of Drew Hayden Taylor’s article “This Boat Is My Boat.”
Summary
In the article, Drew Hayden Taylor reflects on the problem of cultural appropriation. In particular, he examines the attitudes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada towards active water recreation, such as kayaking and canoeing, based on his personal experience. In the author’s opinion, water sports like kayaking have been borrowed from indigenous culture, becoming entertainment for the general public, and such moments are considered unseemly, lacking good taste, and manners (Taylor, 2004). Throughout the text, he expresses his concerns about the inauthentic materials and names used in these activities, noting that this is an example of cultural misappropriation and borrowing.
Finally, Taylor (2004) claims: “Every time a non-native person white water canoes down the Madawaska River […] they should first take an aboriginal person to lunch. That is a better way of showing respect and gratefulness”. Generally, respect for indigenous peoples should be demonstrated through both words and actions, such as supporting local groups and engaging in dialogues on cultural identity and rights.
Conclusion
In summary, Drew Hayden Taylor’s article “This Boat Is My Boat” describes the concept of cultural appropriation through the example of sports and entertainment of Canadians in vivid and lively language. He expresses his concern about borrowing indigenous peoples’ ancestral methods of water transportation and their use for recreational purposes by non-indigenous people. Taylor calls for respect for indigenous cultural heritages and active inclusion in dialogues on rights and belonging.
Reference
Taylor, D. H. (2004). This boat is my boat. THIS.