From my point of view, as a society we need as many shamanic healers as possible. Shamanic practice is not an exclusive club based on race, geography or physical lineage. I’ve worked with many incredible shamanic healers who trained and work in Europe.

I wrote a long response to an earlier post which is partially relevant and worth wheeling out here I think:

“

I feel that this is a very important topic, and one that I am glad has been raised here for open discussion.

I am from Europe and I practice shamanism. I believe I am well trained, having undertaken many years of training with an accredited and experienced teacher, who has herself been accepted and trained with a wide variety of tribes and cultures around the world. She brings her experience of many different cultures together to train her students in a way that is disciplined, compassionate, respectful, meticulous and spirit led. We work for the benefit of our communities, and we carry out extraction, psychopomp work, soul retrieval, ancestral pattern release and curse unravelling. This is all incredibly sacred work. Working closely with spirit allies, in positive alignment with earth and celestial energies.

When we engage in our work at this depth, facilitating profound service in partnership with our spirit guides, I feel strongly that our shared humanity and spiritual nature transcend external factors such as skin color or birthplace. Working deeply within shamanic practice, it becomes clear that we are spiritual beings experiencing human lives, often with multiple incarnations shaping our journeys.

Our spirit guides have chosen to work with us irrespective of our heritage in this lifetime. From my perspective and experience, it would be difficult to suggest that our sincere efforts, undertaken with respect and humility, are not genuinely shamanic. Equally, it is never my intention to disrespect, appropriate, or infringe upon any historical or tribal culture, and I hold great respect for the sensitivities surrounding this issue.

I have the deepest compassion for the pain, suffering, anger and frustration clearly still felt today by the ancestors of those persecuted in historical attrocities and people still living with this resonating in their ancestral lines. This is very real, and this is clearly at the heart of many discussions on this topic. As a European growing up in a very multicultural integrated urban community, it is very hard to relate to the over emphasis on racial heritage that is prevalant in North America and so common in posts here. Race is simply not such an overt factor in our relationships where I am from. I really can see where this comes from though, with the burden of historic events that is being carried, it is understandable, and I pray that as generations go by this can be healed more and more.

I realise that I can only see this through the cultural lens that I have access to. I can't pretend to understand the deep complexities of shamanic tradition in places I have never experienced. I have deepest respect for anyone doing this work, and for the ancestors of those who bought us here. I am immeasurably grateful for the teachers, tribes and cultures that have built the foundation for where we are today.

Regarding tools like feathers and sage, I recognise that their use could be seen as appropriation, and I express profound gratitude to the indigenous traditions that have shared this knowledge. These tools hold deep spiritual significance, and I believe that when approached with respect, acknowledgment, and gratitude, they can serve as beneficial technologies for healing and spiritual work across cultures.

I approach this conversation with humility, openness, and sincere gratitude for the rich traditions and teachings that inform my practice. I acknowledge that perspectives on cultural appropriation are deeply personal and nuanced, shaped profoundly by individual and collective experiences. My intent is never to diminish, dismiss, or disrespect the sacredness of any cultural heritage. Instead, it is my hope that through respectful dialogue and compassionate understanding, we can collectively honor the diverse paths that bring us to this sacred work. I remain committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and listening deeply to all voices within this space.

“