This article seemed to touch some recurring themes we have seen in this class so far regarding the role of the ethnographer and how the observed is presented in an ethnography. As we can clearly see here, the ethnographer is hardly objective. There is clearly a right and wrong way for Native Americans to behave and only the right way would be recorded. This parallels the ethnographies we have discussed regarding Christianity, the avoidance of the imperial force in a native population, the glossing over of certain details to make it seem more "native" or "alien". The ethnographer is not only presenting one side of a multi-dimensional culture, by doing so, he is inserting himself into this ethnography. He picks and chooses what goes in and makes his presence known in doing so (now that we know this is being done).
On a side note, while reading this piece, I was reminded of the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver which I had a chance to visit a few years ago. It houses some incredible art pieces of significant cultural value which were absolutely stunning to witness. One in particular stayed with me: The Raven and the First Men. Sculpted in yellow cedar by Bill Reid, it is based on a Haida myth on the origin of man.
According to Haida legend, the Raven found himself alone one day on Rose Spit beach, on Haida Gwaii. Suddenly, he saw an extraordinary clamshell at his feet, and protruding from it were a number of small creatures. The Raven coaxed them to leave the shell to join him in his wonderful world. Some were hesitant at first, but eventually, overcome by curiosity, they emerged from the partly open clamshell to become the first Haida. (moa.ubc.ca)
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