I.  Tradition - (Webster) says: to transfer rites, customs, myths; definition connotes immutability.

A. New view is: tradition is how a culture views and uses its past.

1. Members of society choose what to remember and how to remember it. (Little Bighorn, victory or massacre?).

2. Selected past events are remembered to meet the current cultural needs.

B. Artists and elders grapple with the past, find elements which are suitable for the current purpose.

C. The creation of tradition requires many subsequent generations who are culturally affiliated.

1. Without continuity there is no tradition.

a. Elders preserve life ways until today.

b. Continuity is assured by elders who share language, dances, stories, practices, art, etc with the youth.

D. Tradition is not immutable, it is responsive.

1. Immutability might be related to the "down-trodden savage" theory.

2. When viewed as immutable the value of an informant lies in their memory of traditional times and not their ability to adapt to change.

3. Prevents Amerind people from being seen in "real time" this is dehumanizing.

E. Tradition requires a strong tie to the land.

1. Myths often confirm a long tenure.

F. The definition of tradition has been brought to the courts for interpretation.

1. Indians must prove that the rites or practices are the same as those practiced in "pure" precontact culture.

2. Anthropologists tried to filter out the effects of contact and in so doing they assigned a positive value to "old" or "traditional" styles.

3. Deviation from the static picture of tradition is seen as a move away from tradition.

a. Intentional or not the effect of a static culture is to terminate that culture. Static culture = death of culture.

G. In reality all evidence points to ongoing culture change in response to climate change, contact with outsiders, happy accident.

H. Contemporary Indian people rely on tradition in these ways:

1. Traditional themes and concepts which are recognized as valid symbols of tribal consciousness.

a. Look for the symbolic relationship between man and nature.

b. Look for the relationship of visions and dreams to imagery.

2. Unique insight and individual effort are serving the modern world by confronting changing social issues and mores.

3. Individual accomplishment may or may not be valued, but is a contribution to cultural vitality.