1. Stereotypes: Facts and Myths

2. Stereotypes are dangerous as they can lead to RACISM and PREJUDICE
A stereotype is a generalised perception of first impressions
Judging with the eyes
An oversimplified conception, opinion or image
Incomplete and inaccurate beliefs
Stereotypes are dangerous as they can lead to RACISM and PREJUDICE

3. Identify the stereotype
Look carefully at the images
on each of the coins below.
1. What do they have in common?
2. What old stereotype about Aboriginal Australians do you carry around in your wallet?

4. Stereotypes of Indigenous Australians
3) Look carefully at the images on the following slides
4) List the stereotypes of Indigenous Australians that are in these images
5) Give your opinion about where the stereotypes come from

14. Media Responsibility
The media is the main supplier of these simplified views and a distributor of stereotypes.
7) How many times have you read or heard about a dysfunctional, violent Aboriginal community?
8) How many times have you seen an image of drunk Aboriginal people getting into trouble?

15. Media Responsibility, continued:
The media forms and reinforces Aboriginal stereotypes, by concentrating on ONE group of Aboriginal people, who are largely a minority. 9) What does the statement above mean?

16. Empathy
10) How can the stereotyped images that we looked at impact negatively on Indigenous Australians in the areas of:
Self image
Identity
Level of education
Health
Achievement of goals
Contribution to the community
Attitude towards white people

17. The Truth 80% of Aboriginal people live in capital cities
59 is the average age of death of Aboriginal people
38% of Aboriginal students attain a pass at the highest level in secondary school
99% of Aboriginal people have a family member in prison
< 2% Aboriginal people go to University
50% of Aboriginal people smoke
1/3 of Aboriginal Australians will own their own home

18. Analysing the Statistics
These are just some of the statistics that show the inequality that exists between Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians
11) In your table groups make some notes about how these facts on the previous slide might affect your life if these were the statistics for your people.

19. Aboriginal Role Models
12) Why isn’t more attention placed on positive role models in the Aboriginal community? Explain how each of the following reasons might lead to this.
BLAME
FEAR
HISTORY
IGNORANCE
IT’S EASIER NOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO POSITIVE ROLE MODELS

20. Aboriginal people overcoming the stereotypes
Eddie Mabo Land
Right Activist
Cathy Freeman Gold Medalist Sydney Olympics 2000
Mick Dodson Australian of the Year 2009
Aaron Peterson Australian Actor
Linda Burney President of the ALP
Chris Sandow South Sydney Winner of George Green Medal

21. Challenge these Stereotypes
For each of these stereotypes that follow, write three points to show that the statement is wrong:
Stereotype and Myth 1:
“This land belongs to white people because the Aborigines had no religion, culture and language before white settlement.”
First reason this is wrong
Second reason this is wrong
Third reason this is wrong

22. Stereotype and Myth 2:
“That more money is spent on Welfare for Indigenous people than other Australians.”
First reason this is wrong
Second reason this is wrong
Third reason this is wrong

23. Stereotype and Myth 3:
“That Indigenous Australians have no role models”
First reason this is wrong
Second reason this is wrong
Third reason this is wrong

24. Stereotype and Myth 4:
“That Indigenous Australians are happier living the way of Europeans and white Australians.”
First reason this is wrong
Second reason this is wrong
Third reason this is wrong

25. Stereotype or Myth 5:
The Stolen Generation was a lie. No-one was “stolen.”
First reason this is wrong
Second reason this is wrong
Third reason this is wrong

26. Indigenous Australians Positive Stereotypes and Successes:
Sports people
Politicians
Artists
Poets
Actors
Lawyers
Etc.

27. Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman is one of the most well-known Indigenous Australians. Her skills and achievements as a runner have been seen by people all over the world as she has competed in multiple Olympic Games.

28. Albert Namatjira
Albert Namatjira was the first Indigenous person to become an internationally renowned artist. He was born in 1902 near Alice Springs and always enjoying painting whilst he was growing up. It was not until 1934 (aged 32 years old) that he began to paint seriously. A man named Rex Battarbee taught Namatjira a lot about the skill of painting, and Namatjira showed Rex some of the best places to paint in Australia. Namatjira's art was very different to traditional Indigenous art.

29. Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Nooncal)
Kath Walker, whose Indigenous name was Oodgeroo Nooncal, was Australia's first Indigenous poet to gain recognition from around the world. Walker was born in 1920 and began writing poetry from an early age. She grew up on North Stradbroke Island, which became the inspiration for much of her poetry.
Walker finally had her poetry published when she was in her forties. She was also a strong advocate for Indigenous rights. During the 1960s, Walker began campaigning for equality. She travelled the world fighting for the rights of Australia's Indigenous people.
She died in 1993.

30. Pat O'Shane (NSW Magistrate)
Pat O'Shane was born in 1941 near Cairns. She is a descendant of the Yalangi Indigenous people. O'Shane was the fist Aboriginal teacher in Queensland and then years later, in 1982, she became the first female head of a state government department. In 1987 she achieved another first by becoming the first Indigenous Australian to become a magistrate in the New South Wales courts.

31. More famous Indigenous Australians
Ernie Dingo, one of the first recognisable Indigenous television personalities;

32. Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes, a well known AFL player and winner of the Brownlow medal;

33. David Gulpilil
David Gulpilil, the first Indigenous person to star in films. His Films include Storm Boy, The Last Wave, Crocodile Dundee, Rabbit-Proof Fence, The Tracker and Ten Canoes; and

34. Yvonne Goolagong-Cawley
Yvonne Goolagong-Cawley, winner of seven tennis grand slams and first Indigenous person to win Wimbledon.