Board of Directors Decision Regarding the Use of “Native-Inspired” traditions at CRS

After thorough discussions, the LAJF Board of Directors recently passed a resolution to address cultural misappropriation at CRS.

The resolution reads:“In keeping with the values of cultural respect and inclusion, CRS will not engage in cultural misappropriation and will retire any practices or traditions that stem from cultural misappropriation as supported by our research and consultation with affected cultures.”

Below, we bring a letter explaining some of the reasoning that went before the resolution. The letter also addresses specific decisions with regards to the use of “Native-American” inspired traditions at Camp Rising Sun. An element of the decision-making process has been a white paper by former LAJF Director of Programs, Janessa Schilmoeller, on the topic of cultural appropriation at summer camps and beyond. The white paper provides further context, necessary for understanding the process behind the decision, and can be read here.

On June 20th, LAJF Staff will host an Alumni Instruction on cultural appropriation. We will discuss the Boards decision and its implication, as well as broader questions of how we may respectfully share, partake in, and honor cultures at CRS. The instruction is scheduled for June 20th at 11 AM EST. We hope that you will join us. Please register here to join.

Letter from the Board 

“At Camp Rising Sun, when we engage with other cultures, customs, languages, and artifacts, we wish to do so with utmost respect and appreciation. Our successful international experiment over the last 90 years in many ways hinges on our belief that the experience and exchange of other’s cultures lead to personal growth and healthy expansion of perspective. It is exactly for this reason that LAJF needs to deeply reflect on the topic of cultural misappropriation and examine our own practices and traditions that might stem from such misappropriation, to be an exemplar of appropriate and ethical behavior.

Our use of “Native American” customs/language/artifacts is particularly complicated. Although prior use of "Native American” customs/language/artifacts over the decades were well-intentioned and purposeful actions, a modern ethical evaluation of their origins, methods of appropriation, and current Native American self-established norms of appropriation mandate an examination of their continued use.

Please refer to the attached paper written by Janessa Schilmoeller, outlining the relevant contextual history in the United States as well as particular relevance at Camp Rising Sun. The Board encourages all alumni to read and absorb this paper prior to further delving into the issues outlined below.

 To further elucidate a path forward, the Board has:

1. Asked the Program Committee to focus on this topic and make recommendations on the use of “Native American” customs/language/artifacts. The long and serious evaluation has led to a series of recommendations. (attached).

2. Consulted with alumni with relevant experience and knowledge on this topic.

3. Consulted with Angelique Eaglewoman, an expert and premier lawyer in the field of Indigenous Law. Angelique Eaglewoman is visiting Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Her areas of research include Aboriginal Legal Issues, Indigenous Legal Traditions, Tribal Nation Economics & Law, Native American Law, Native American Natural Resources Law, Contracts and The Business of Law, and Civil Procedure. She is also uniquely positioned to comment about our unique and beloved camp given that her son attended Camp in 2019.

4. Talked about this topic at length at two Board meetings.

 The Board’s education and evolution around this topic over this extended period of study has informed our decision to engage with alumni as we further review conclusions with the community as follows:

1. LAJF will not commit or enable cultural misappropriation.

2. Our program will not use the terms How How and Sachem.

-      In addition to misappropriation issues, these terms are not respectful or linguistically correct. With regard to Sachem, we've learned that the term has a reference to spiritual leadership in the Native American culture. Therefore, these terms are inappropriate for casual usage although  no disrespect was ever intended.

1. Our program will continue to display cultural artifacts with appropriate and well-researched labels and information. We will not misappropriate the use of cultural artifacts in our program.

2. We will preserve the singing of and teach about the relevance of “Oh Nay Wa Oh Hent”. We have come to this conclusion after in-depth communication with the Seneca tribe and with descendants of Roland Sundown, our beloved alumnus and the author of this song/tradition. 

We believe that our approach to this issue, through scholarship, transparent, respectful and in-depth conversation, search for expert opinion, and openness to different perspectives is a good example of how our Camp Rising Sun approach can be applied to real-world problems with success.”

You can read "Native-Inspired" Traditions at Camp Rising Sun: Origins and Implications here.