Julie M. came across a bow and arrow set for sale at a Wholesale Sports store in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. The set is called the “Lil’ Sioux.” Notice any oddness about the description?
It’s the Lil’ Sioux…and also the “Sherwood Forester” set. What’s Sherwood Forest? Why, where Robin Hood and his Merry Men hung out. Because when you’re appropriating Native American cultures, you might as well conflate them with mythologized, and possibly entirely fictional, noble outlaws from another continent.
But given the popularity of “Native American” fashions these days, I guess it shows restraint that the kid isn’t wearing a feathered headdress.
Gwen Sharp is an associate professor of sociology at Nevada State College. You can follow her on Twitter at @gwensharpnv.
Comments 22
Jeff Kaufman — October 7, 2010
Another picture, this time from a site selling them:
http://www.solware.co.uk/archery-crossbows/barnett-lil-sioux-sherwood-kit.shtml
Tom S — October 7, 2010
He's actually playing a male version of the lead singer from Siouxie and the Banshees. It's a long story.
Jared — October 7, 2010
I don't see anything on the toy to identify it as either First Nations or Robin Hood. It's just as accurate to say that they are appropriating English history and culture and conflating it with First Nations terminology. But I guess that wouldn't allow you to link to other posts so it's not as exciting.
maus — October 7, 2010
The "Lil' Sioux" is the name of Barnett's line of bows, the Sherwood is a themed product in the "Lil' Sioux" line.
This is a cultural appropriation, yes. But it is not a mix-up.
Ollie — October 7, 2010
OR cheap marketers are just trying to relate their product to as many archery-related things.
Ed — October 7, 2010
Sherwood "Forester"? Maybe it's aimed at Subaru owners.
Frankly the product packaging reminds me of Chinese attempts at English labeling ("Chinglish").
larrycwilson — October 8, 2010
The Indian Nation in question here is the Lakota. When Europeans pushed them out of their homelands onto the Plains those indians who were already there called them Sioux, which means "enemy."
Jeremy — October 8, 2010
Maybe I'll dress as Sioux Robin Hood for halloween. Green leotard with moccasins? The hat's the problem, do you go for green cap and warpaint or feathered headdress and Cary Elwes goatee?