Queen’s Coalition Against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (QCRED) submitted a letter last Friday accusing the Journal of commodifying Indigenous culture with its front-page photo of the 2nd Annual Educational Pow Wow, published Sept. 23.
The letter said running the photo without an accompanying article portrayed Aboriginal peoples as “mere entertainment” and accused the Journal of upholding racist ideologies.
The editorial board commends the letter writers for using the paper to create discussion on this issue.
It’s understandable that not everyone will be satisfied with campus media coverage and we expect—and invite—criticism; readers help keep the newspaper accountable.
What is upsetting about this particular letter is that it relies on misinformation.
We recognize the potentially oppressive implications of representing Indigenous culture in the newspaper, given the history of misrepresentation in art and media.
Regrettably, the front-page photo unintentionally created a context in which readers could have inferred commodification of culture; perhaps the photo cutline should have referred readers to Volume 135’s article on the inaugural event or given a better explanation of the powwow. But to suggest the Journal has a racially insensitive agenda is unfair and inaccurate.
A decision was made to publish the photo because the editors agreed the powwow was an important event and, from a purely artistic perspective, the photo was aesthetically appropriate for the front page.
It was decided there wouldn’t be an article for this event because the photo would present readers a starting point for discussion.
QCRED’s letter also said it didn’t understand how the newspaper “felt entitled to use [the photo].” This implies we acted without permission; in reality, the event organizer, the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, requested the Journal attend and hasn’t raised a concern over the photo.
During the powwow, the emcee invited attendees to take photos of the exhibition performances, during which time the photographer captured the photo.
It’s disappointing the group jumped to conclusions before seeing the whole picture.
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to eic@queensjournal.ca.