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Watch the making of a birch bark canoe. They were first created by indigenous people of the Great Lakes.
One of the troubles with the legend of the Wendigo is that it has been appropriated in western culture. Cultural appropriation is “the use of traditional dress, music, [food], knowledge and other aspects” of a group’s culture without their approval. Examples of appropriation of indigenous cultures can be Halloween costumes, sports mascots, and movie or book characters. It is harmful to indigenous people because it places all native tribes into one limited category when they are each unique and special.
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Making Connections
Text-to-Self
Have you ever spent time in the woods during winter? What do you imagine it would feel like living there?
Text-to-Text
Have you read any other books about indigenous legends? What did they have in common with the Wendigo legend?
Text-to-World
Do you think it is okay for popular culture to change original legends? Please explain your answer.