Heritage vs. Culture
...but not be part of the heritage of reading the Torah. Nila northSun in her short poem “99 things to do before you die” analyzes the goals of people of diverse cultures and social classes. She frowns upon ideas proposed by Cosmopolitan magazine as only those of a higher income class can afford such a proposal. “Go to rio during carnival sure would love to but no maza-ska money honey” (northSun, 379) Culture to northSun relates to the definition in Webster’s dictionary; saying that it is of “improvement or refinement”. Heritage to her, in this author’s view is closely related to her definition of culture. The list of 99 to do proposed by northSun would not automatically imitate the dreams and aspirations of all people not of Indian culture. It serves only as a sheer suggestion of things that Native Americans take delight in doing. northSun regards culture and heritage very loosely and the list regards it on a more personal level to suit her desires. Who is a genuine American Indian? Their heritage distinguishes their authentic self, where they come and can also distinguish their culture and way of life. Since not everyone has the same heritage, everyone is unique in what their background and beliefs are. Kehoe gives a great illustration of this: “Diversity best describes authentic American Indian religious traditions. That diversity is counterbalanced today with an ecumenical movement reflecting the high number of intermarriages between First Nations, as well as with non-Indians. Some of the ecumenicism draws upon preconquest alliance rituals and historic borrowing, such as the calumet ceremony and the Grass Dance. Some of it is forged in national ethnic-identity politics, lumping "Indians" as a bloc.” When people intermarry like this they have to accept each others heritages and also cultures. Non- Indian’s heritage is a lot different from the Native Americans. Non-Indians, for example, probably don’t do the Sun Dance or the Grass Dance. Each heritage has their own religions, practices, etc. They have their own rituals from their traditions of their past generations, just like the Native Americans have their own. Say the intermarried couple had children. Which heritage would be inherited? More than likely a little bit of both sides would be seen in the children, which are what created all the different backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and heritages that we have today. Heritage is inherited from a person’s fore fathers. Heritage is not so much about a culture, but it is solely based on acceptance by the others that were born into that lifestyle. All in all, culture and heritage from these two listed sources are held as separate entities of definition. Culture over...