Shije. Lucas.,March 17 2026,“Personal Photo”  

 In my Research Log #2  I researched the history of my topic , The Exploitation & Miss use of the Zia Sun Symbol . In my research I came across a news report from KRQE news 13 informing the public on a discussion from 2018 to be held on the matter of the appropriation of the Zia Sun . Tribal leaders & members discussing to state leaders how significant the symbol is to the Zia people , and what the state can do to help us move forward with this issue . The General public also attended . One of the biggest questions that came out of this discussion was " What do the people of Zia want out of this"? The answer was some sort of compensation for the stealing and appropriation of the Zia Sun . Which is kind of a double edged sword because the state also says we have no right to the symbol , it's in the public domain , we cannot trademark it the only other form of compensation is money. Very little was done after said discussion.

 Zia The Sun Symbol Pueblo 

White , Leslie A 

 This book was honestly a big shock to me. In my research log #2 the next piece of work I focused my attention on was a book in the SFIS archives about my pueblo of Zia. I was sure it had information about my topic. It was amazing and honestly kind of putting how accurate a lot of the information really was . Things such as exact dates that ceremonial dances took place or that ceremonial leaders were elected . Nonetheless even though it was disturbing to see our culture dissipated like this , it was also interesting in sense to see some of the words or songs I haven't heard of or just learning new info about my culture. I think it's a book many Zia people should read who don't understand why we do the things we do, it kind of makes you appreciate what we do as a people . I also do feel that these books shouldn't be so easily accessible but after decades its just kind of as if no one pays attention because it happened so long ago. 

The Sia Matilda Cox Stevenson Smithsonian Institution-Bureau of Ethnology

(The Sia 1894) is a Bureau of Ethnology report on my pueblo that took place in 1894 along with many others that were done across the continent of North America. It talks about the cultural and religious beliefs of my people. The Zia Pueblo. In this book it includes our religious beliefs revolving around the Sun Symbol. Majority of our cultural practices usually tie into the Sun Symbol , whether it be a symbol being used in a ceremony or representing our father , caregiver , and guidance, the physical Sun that we see almost every day. These books about my pueblo of Zia, (The Sia 1894) & (The Zia The Sun Symbol Pueblo ) are all detailed reports of our social structure , history ,cosmology & ceremonies by the United States Government or private or individual entities.  

Gods For Sale talks about how Capitalism plays a hand into appropriation of indigenous cultures around the world. It gives us an insight of what Capitalism encourages, having believers see what they are doing and also what they must do. It shuns light on how an object of the past belongs to the past and to remove its primary place is to ignore the value now for a people in the present. Capitalism also relies on a control of knowledge. One cannot oppose what they don't understand. I interpreted this article as very confusing at first to be honest. Then I realized all the key aspects of Capitalism that play into the appropriation of Indigenous cultures , and how it affects us. To see the tactics hidden in plain sight of how people get away and playing part into why our religion/culture is being commodified. 

Nike Pulls Tattoo Leggings after Offending Pacific Community.” HuffPost, 7 Dec. 2017, www.huffpost.com/entry/nike-tattoo-leggings_n_3763591.

When a company like Nike uses cultural symbols such as the Samoan Pe'a in their designs without permission or understanding , it can be interpreted as disrespectful. The Pe'a is not just a design its a sacred cultural marker that carries deep meaning and history for Samoan people. By using it on a commercial product like leggings , Nike profits from the culture without giving back to the community.This is cultural appropriation and flat out wrong. This is part of a bigger issue where indigenous cultures are often exploited for their symbols and traditions by corporations looking to make a profit. A cycle continues where the voices and rights of Indigenous peoples are ignored ,and our culture is treated as a commodity. 

Reports, Staff. “Zapatista Movement: What Was It, and Where Is It Now?” BORGEN, 30 Jan. 2018, www.borgenmagazine.com/zapatista-movement-now/. 

On January 1, 1994, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) launched a 12-day uprising in Chiapas, Mexico, to protest the NAFTA trade agreement and fight for indigenous rights, land reform, and democracy. Led by spokesperson Subcomandante Marcos, the indigenous-led, armed rebellion seized several towns before a ceasefire on January 12, 1994, leading to lasting autonomous Zapatista communities. The Zapatista uprising in Chiapas was rooted in deep grievances over land rights, economic inequality , and political exclusion experienced by the indigenous populations.