Raven, Yes, there are exponents of "traditional" skills who teach nothing else. My complaint is twofold, and I hope my peer HikerDon will comment. All people engage in "culture borrowing", from Japanese teenage Elvis impersonators to Inuit hunters armed with Winchesters. My complaint is with "culture theft". I 've lost count of the $50 Sweat ceremonies offered by " authentic Lakota holymen." Anybody with a native ancestor can grow their hang long, hang a dreamcatcher and Free Leonard Peltier sticker on the truck and go into business.Then their new "Blood brothers" take a trip to Pine Ridge and act hurt when a poverty stricken traditional doesn't recognise them as" community." Now many of these same people are teaching "traditional survival methods." the same conceit is there, "My bowdrill is one with mother earth and your bic lighter is an evil wasetchu." There are some very good traditional instructors. It's whats being taught that concerns me. Peter Bigfoot at Reevis is wonderfull. His philosophy may be "New Age", but all of his students leave with a chance at "Old Age."