A few words on cultural appreciation…
After a conversation many years ago with the gracious and expert Adrian Estaquio of Inside the Desert Oasis Room, I realized that my vision for Tatooiniki did not fit well within a more traditional conception of Tiki (although I personally think there’s an argument to be made that Tiki culture, at its core, is/should be more concerned with a DIY, creative, irreverent playfulness with pop-culture than Tiki figures).
Regardless, because Tatooiniki involves copious amounts of Oceania materials and themes (of course, the bar has plenty of Star Wars materials and themes, too, but Disney is doing just fine), I give money each month to organizations that support these people and places. #paytoplay! Here’s more information on one of the organizations I support: CULTURAL SURVIVAL Cultural Survival engages I advocacy on behalf of international Indigenous communities predicated on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They believe that vibrant and durable communities rest on the principles of self-determination, human rights, informed citizenry and access to information, the freedom of expression, and the right to organize and shape the future in a way consistent with one’s tradition, language, culture and community – and they believe Indigenous Peoples have the power and solutions to solve many of today's problems when respected and empowered to do so. Check them out!
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