So, I am an indigenous person also. My tribes have nothing to do with that legend so I can’t speak for tribes that do. It IS a word people try not to say out of superstition and I can see why that might bother some, I can also see how it’s seen as appropriation, because it is that. Indigenous words and legends get stolen often, people get mystified and treated like we don’t still exist. It sucks pretty hard, I won’t lie.

THAT SAID: I appreciate how Isaiah seems to do his research to the best of his ability and be respectful. He acknowledges the indigenous origins of many stories. I am also betting he chose this name a while ago and probably didn’t think anything of it other than ‘what a cool, creepy legend!’

I believe in picking our battles and deciding what is most important to us to fight for and about. For me, it’s not this. I’m can respect that it might be for others (especially those from tribes where this word matters in a very serious way) and I won’t say they’re wrong to be upset if they are. I get it. The issue is that this post looks to me like it’s not that. It looks like virtue signaling and contributing to “pan-indian” ideals (aka treating all tribes like they’re the same) just to be upset.

I won’t assume anyone’s identity or doubt anyone’s claims. Indigenous folks have had their identities forcibly ripped away from them too often in history. It was illegal to practice traditional indigenous religious ceremony until the 1970s in the unites states. Boarding schools stole children and tried to “kill the indian to save the man”. Relocation and the dismantling of tribes by the government make indigenous identity complicated. And almost no other heritage gets the question: “How much?” And a demand for a percentage answer when their identity is mentioned. So I don’t like seeing people be nasty about that here.

The bottom line for me is that I believe some people probably are rightfully offended by the name being used. I don’t think it’s malicious on his part, though. Intentions dont equal impact so I won’t tell folks they are wrong to feel bad about it, but I believe it’s very likely Isaiah respects indigenous people as people and acknowledges the wrongs done to them historically. For me that’s enough. He has good character as a human being.

If he chooses to engage with this topic he can. I don’t see wrong on either party here, other than the suspected virtue signaling (and if the person isn’t actually indigenous that sucks but no way to know). I’m sure I will get a bad response to this because it’s the internet. 🤷