Deandra Loves Beauty

Afro-Indigenous Queen. Crowned in both worlds. Main character energy always. 👑💕🔥

Hair, Makeup & Vision by :
Model: .bird

Another racist “Art” content another post by & & just crossed the line.

The magazine that gave this team the spotlight!

This isn’t Indigenous culture, this is a stereotype.

‘Tribal’ face paint, feathers used as costume, and calling it ‘Brave’ on a non-Indigenous model? That’s not representation, that’s exploitation and cultural harm.

And let’s talk about this so-called ‘Indigenous consultation.’

What kind of consultation approves imagery like this?
Because no real understanding of our teachings would allow sacred and cultural elements to be turned into aesthetic like this.

One person’s approval does not represent our Nations.

When Indigenous people are speaking up and being dismissed or deleted, that’s where it becomes what it is racist behaviour.

Our culture is not for sale!!!
And it’s not here to be turned into content for your social media!

This isn’t creativity. It’s not art. It’s disrespect. It’s harmful.

Our cultural is not your costume!!!!
Whoever this indigenous consultant “Josh Armijo from Flathead Nation, this is harmful to indigenous identity. What you approved is outright discrimination, disgusting, disrespectful and hateful! You did us dirty!

I saw this and had to stop scrolling.
Because I was a fan.
is clearly talented, experienced, educated. So seeing a headdress used like this? That’s not ignorance. That’s a choice.
Yes, I saw the ‘Indigenous consultant.’ Good, you reached out. But let’s be clear, consultation is not a free pass.
Headdresses are sacred.
They are earned.
They are given in ceremony.
They are one of the highest honours.
This isn’t new information. Indigenous people have been saying this for YEARS. You can not wear a sacred headdress at festivals. Not for Halloween. And definitely not for editorial or magazine spotlight. On your interpretation on dark “brave”.
So how did we get here?
A non-Indigenous model wearing a headdress.
A non-Indigenous team creating the narrative.
And somehow that gets approved and published?

One person’s “permission” does not override the responsibility to an entire culture.
One voice does not speak for all Nations.
And to claim ‘Native ancestry’ while participating in this culture appropriation content. If you were truly connected to your culture, your teachings, your elders… you would know this is not okay.
I am an Indigenous hairstylist.
I know the line.
And this crossed every single one.
And when I spoke up, I was met with ego, defensiveness, and harmful language instead of accountability.
That’s another issue to dismissed an indigenous person telling you this is wrong and not appropriate. To have a mindset that thinks our culture is available for use, for content, for aesthetic.
Our culture is not for sale.
Not for your brand. Not for your magazine. Not for your career.
This isn’t creativity, this is colonizer behaviour, repackaging what’s sacred as ‘dark’ and ‘brave’ for content and saying you have approval from one indigenous person.
It’s not art. It’s disrespect.
This is non indigenous people making a profit, clout and getting a spotlight on a magazine off our cultural. Extreme misuse and misguided.
To this ”indigenous consultant” Josh Armijo what a disgrace you did to our indigenous communities. It’s people like you that sell out our cultural for nonsense. We fight everyday to be respected, you ruin It

Honoured to be submitted For Your Consideration for Achievement in Hair at the Canadian Screen Awards for Meadowlarks.

Hair is intimate, and you allowed me to do the work with intention and care. That trust from the cast and Tasha Hubbard meant everything.

So grateful for this experience and this team. 🖤