An excellent meditation on the issue of cultural appropriation. Thank you, Andre Alexis.

As with any issue that concerns those who have faced discrimination and oppression, it can become highly politicized. And quickly. Hal Niedzviecki wants nothing to do with the Appropriation Prize and says that he does indeed believe in cultural appropriation.

In the matter of Norval Morrisseau, I believe the Woodlands School is a living movement. It brings income to Anishnabe artists. Knock offs and imitations are viewed as a form of piracy. I'm always surprised by the number of fake First Nations art in tourist shops. 

This article in Vice goes a long way to explaining the outrage: https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/a-bunch-of-white-canadian-editors-really-love-cultural-appropriation

I suppose it comes down to stealing one's good name. "Who steals my purse, steals trash,,, But he that filches from me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed."