There is a lot of this kind of sentiment going on right now and we get where it comes from. There is so much pain and distrust in indigenous cultures around the world. So many people around the world struggling for their identity and culture. It is not something that we could ever fully understand. The path that we have decided to pursue is one of inclusivity and mutual respect, to honor all people’s traditions and where they come from.

We are not claiming to belong or draw from any one tradition with our brand and our products. We are attempting to forge a path towards a new tradition of inclusivity.

First, we are not claiming to be Native American or attempting to use exclusively Native American iconography or imagery. Bears are actually a part of almost every indigenous culture in the world and in fact are just as iconic to the Sami people of Northern Eurasia. In fact, representations of Bear Medicine is a common thread in cultures from the Far East to the Far West and North to South.

Also, the truth is that these blends were created by our founder, Anthony Singing Bear — a name given to him by his mother. So they are literally Bear’s Blends.

Secondly ceremonial herbs are a part of every culture on the planet — from Taoists to Hindus, Muslims to Catholics, and Shamans to Wiccan Priests. To claim ceremonial herbs as specific only to one tribe or region is not accurate. Ceremonial herbs are universal and our blends draw from many different traditions. For example, our KinNikNik is inspired by the Dakota use of Bearberry but our Moon Blend is inspired by a more Celtic or Wiccan use of magical herbs in ceremony.

The truth is that, in modern America, we are all guilty of constant cultural misappropriation. If you ever smoked tobacco or did yoga or burnt some sage or did a sweat, you have partaken in the reinvention of some ancient tradition that has been adapted to the new era. The melting pot that is most American human’s DNA does not have a definite through line into a clear cultural heritage. Most of us are mixed up and confused by our identity and heritage. And pure breeds of any specific culture have become more and more rare.

This is the bigger struggle.

As people around the world lose touch with their traditions, how can we create new traditions for our children that instill a deeper connection to nature and community? How can we move forward when so many cultures and identities are all mixed up and diluted? Do we define new rituals? New prayers? Is it ok to draw from old ones? To adapt ancient traditions into modern diverse communities?

Our belief is that every human has the right to pursue whatever spiritual path they choose. They may follow whichever teachings from the elders that resonate with them. We should not deny people the right to walk their own path towards spiritual balance. And this is indeed how we will keep these teachings alive as they are bred and gentrified from humanity. It is the stories that must endure if any of the teaching of our elders are to survive. Don’t you agree?

We are truly sorry if you are offended in any way by the presentation of our brand on our website. But we are not some big corporate hog. We are a small team of spiritual revolutionaries trying to walk a path of balance and doing our best to keep an herbal tradition alive and to share it with others. And, we have received the blessing from a number of spiritual elders from many traditions including the Native American Church.

But we are not trying to pretend to be what we are not. We are only trying to preserve our ancient heritage and connection to herbal knowledge. And to forge a new path of inclusivity and connection.

If there is something that we are missing in this dialogue or some way that we can improve and be more inclusive, please let us know. We are only doing our best to walk the good path and help others to learn about herbs and the importance of ritual.