Its hard to tell who runs this website. There is no "about us" page on it. I am familiar with two of the herbalists listed when you followed the "Good Midew" links - Jim McDonald and Rosalee de la Foret.
In conversations amongst herbalists about cultural appropriation, both Jim and Rosalee show borderline understanding of the issue, with the general consensus amongst the dominant scene of mostly white herbalists being that it is "OK" to use something from another culture so long as you "have permission". This is a sentiment that was expressed by Jesse "Wolf" Harden (who is seen as a sort of herbal philosopher - rolls eyes). An interview with Hardin was published and widely circulated - including by Rosalee - after public criticism of Hardin's strategy of "reindigenization" were deleted and silenced. Reindigenization, as I am sure you can guess, basically goes like: white people are lost; white people need roots; white people should find land that appeals to them, get to know the plants and animals on the land and boom, just like that! White people are indigenous too!! (Rolls eyes still more!)
So, I guess I am not sure if Jim or Rosalee are aware that they are being linked on this site. The links don't represent all of their work. I am not trying to defend them, per se, but would like the facts, as it were.
I maintain Facebook friendships with many herbalists who have questionable points of view when it comes to CA, for the specific purpose of knowing what's up, and also to be able to address the people who are acting in unacceptable ways. Both Jim and Rosalee are FB friends of mine although I do not know either one personally. So, I was thinking about asking them directly about it, but debating if I should ask privately or publicly. I know for sure that Jim has heard my views on CA and most certainly does not view me as a favorable person, lol. But I have no issues with addressing this directly. I would appreciate any feedback others have as to what is the best way to go about it. My feeling is that just addressing it through a private email or message gives them the opportunity to back out without being held accountable. Whether they know or don't know they are linked on this website, I think a public apology and clarification of their association with it (or lack thereof?) would be in order.
Maybe I am wrong, but to me, this website does not look like it has been developed by a person indigenous to Turtle Island. They don't appear to really know what they are talking about in relation to Mdewin. They don't refer to any indigenous elders or healers, only to settler herbalists.
