I love the Native American Culture (Or American Indian) from tribe to tribe, from west to east, north to south. Each tribe has such unique stories, customs, and dress. I cannot express my love enough. I'm going to be going to Anime Boston this year. I did not choose an anime character, but a character I have loved for a long time. This character doesn't made any definite picture or look, it is more of an idea from many Native cultures. Coyote the trickster. This is who I'll be cosplaying as.  But as I see so many people get upset when white people dress in native garb I'm very concerned people may take it as being racist. I've tried my hardest to ensure the costume is traditional and doesn't incorporate gender specific items like the cheif's / warriors feather bonnets or bussel (no matter how much i love the bussels T-T ) I do have a buffalo bone breast plate, but women also wore these and the character I'm going as is unisex (in my interpretation). I chose the character because it is a way I can express my love for a culture, and I have so much freedom in the costume design. I've been having a blast putting it together. The hardest part has been the headdress which is made from a coyote pelt and 3 point deer antlers. I actually got it to stay on my head with stability! Woot!  I'm so excited but this fear is looming over me. I got some brown contacts (because my bright blue eyes actually look really strange with the war paint....), you wont be able to see my hair (and I'm wrapping my chest)....but my arms will be visible and ...urg. I'm scared. I have so much love for the Native Indians, so much love for their stories, I do not want to be miss-understood.  The costume is all real. Real tanned leather, real bone, everything is as authentic as i can make it (it's costs a fortune, let me tell you). But yup...I'm still white in the end.


What do you think, have I made a dire mistake? I do NOT want to offend anyone, not in the least....i want to honor the culture and characters in it....nothing else.