1. Stereotypes and the Portrayal of First Nations

2. Think back to when you were a kid…did you ever play the game “Cowboys and Indians”?
Why did you think this way about each group?
Who were the “good guys”…the heroes?
Who were the “bad guys”…the villains?

4. Stereotyping since First Contact
Since first contact with Europeans, First Nations have been described:
simplistically and stereotypically
as inferiors
lazy, ignorant, savage
This has resulted in enduring stereotypes and myths:
All First Nations are homogenous meaning they all share the same history and have the same customs and beliefs
First Nations ancestors all wore feather headdresses, carried tomahawks and lived in tipi’s
They are people of the past

5. Stereotypes and History
There are numerous distortions of history, many of which continue as stereotypes.
There is an assumption that Indians lost possession of their land because they were inferior, when the reality is:
Many of the indigenous peoples died from diseases to which they had no immunity
There were a number of advanced civilizations in the Americas, but they did lack two important resources: a pack animal large enough to carry a human; and the ability to make steel for tools and weapons

6. Common Stereotypes
Westerns and documentaries have tended to portray First Nations in stereotypical terms:
the wise elder
the aggressive drunk
the Indian princess
the loyal sidekick
obese and impoverished
These images have become known across North America
Stereotyped issues include simplistic characterizations, romanticizing of Native culture and stereotyping by omission—showing First Nations in a historical rather than modern context

7. Stereotypes and Women
Native American women are frequently sexually objectified and are often stereotyped as being promiscuous
Such misconceptions lead to murder, rape and violence of First Nations women and girls by non-First Nations men
In 2009, 13% of all Aboriginal women aged 15 and older living in Canada stated that they had been violently victimized, almost three times the rate for non-Aboriginal women
It has been found in September 2013, that approximately 1,017 Aboriginal women have been murdered, which is 16% of all homicides in Canada

8. Stereotypes and Women
Although the origin is unclear, the term "squaw" is now universally offensive due to its use for hundreds of years in a derogatory context towards First Nations women
There are more than a thousand locations in the U.S. that incorporate the term in its name
An effort is being made to change the names of these locations
Example: In 2003, Squaw Peak in Phoenix, Arizona, was renamed Piestewa Peak to honor the Iraq War casualty Pfc. Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat for the US.

9. Stereotypes and Women
Indian Princess and the Squaw are binaries of indigenous women's physical appearance
The Indian princess is often compared to Disney's Pocahontas, appears to look more American, with lighter skin, she has a small waist, small feet, long hair and big almond shaped eyes
She is youthful, energetic, innocent and usually a martyr willing to sacrifice herself for others
The squaw is looked upon negatively and more dark
She is usually the ugly sister to the Indian princess and is anything but innocent, she is probably promiscuous and has many children.

10. Stereotypes and Substance Abuse
Because of the high frequency of alcoholism among some First Nations and reservations, a stereotype has been applied to all First Nations
As with most groups, the incidence of substance abuse is related to issues of poverty and mental distress, both of which may be, in part, the result of racial stereotyping and discrimination

11. Other Common Stereotypes
There is the stereotype that First Nations live on reservations when in fact only about 25% do, and a slight majority now live in urban areas
There is an assumption that Indians somehow have an intuitive knowledge of their culture and history, when the degree of such knowledge varies greatly depending upon the family and community connections of each individual
Today, First Nations are perceived as becoming rich because of gaming revenues

12. Stereotypes in the Media
In the News
First Nations were almost always anonymous when represented in the media being; left nameless in newspapers, pictures, and magazines
However, if the story was crime related – all details were provided (name, crime committed, etc)
In Literature
Many novels/books were published with stereotypical plots
All had stereotypical titles and images
Examples: Cowboys and Indians, The Wild West

13. Stereotypes in the Media
On TV, in movies, comics, books, and even video games, First Nations have been stereotyped as nature lovers or devoted environmentalists who believe that all people must respect it
An example of this is Nightwolf from Mortal Kombat
Hollywood's portrayal of the American West essentially used Native tribes as a malignant presence to be wiped out or reined in, or depicted as a form of local “wildlife”
Portrayals of Native characters as primitive, criminal, violent, rapists, deceptive, lower intellect, or as passive and full of childlike obedience, extended to TV, movies, novels, radio talk shows and comics.

18. Other Media

19. Do you detect any stereotypes?
Disney’s Pocohontas
Do you detect any stereotypes?

24. Marketing the Stereotype for Money
Over time the “Indian” stereotype became more and more popularized in movies, novels, plays, etc.
More than 3,000 “Cowboy and Indian” movies were created in Hollywood, making millions in revenue
What people learned from this was the exact opposite of what actually happened
These movies brainwashed society
They told an unfair and untrue history of North America
Example: that FNs were barbaric, brutal ‘white killers’
How Hollywood Stereotyped First Nations

26. Is this offensive?

27. Is it now?

28. Brainstorm
Think of professional sports in North America (Hockey, Football, Basketball, Baseball)
How many team names have something to do with Aboriginals or First Nations?

29. Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball
The Braves nickname has been used since 1912

30. Atlanta Fans “The Tomahawk Chop”

31. Washington Redskins National Football League
The team has been known as the Redskins since 1933

32. Chicago Blackhawks National Hockey League
Owner Frederic McLaughlin’s
Wife designed the logo
Chicago’s Hockey Team has been known as the
Blackhawks since 1926

33. Edmonton Eskimos Canadian Football League
In 1897 the name Esquimaux was adopted.
In 1910 the club was officially named the Edmonton Eskimos

34. CLeveland Indians Major League Baseball
Chief Wahoo
(Mascot Name)
Cleveland’s Baseball club has been named the Indians
Since Their nickname is “The Tribe”

35. Warpaint The Chiefs Mascot
Although Retired, the Chiefs are considering bringing back ol’ Warpaint

36. University of Illinois Mascot Chief Illiniwek,
Recently Retired after 81 years of service..

37. Marketing the Stereotype Cont’d…
Corporations, Sports teams and products all have
used “Indian” images and symbols to help market
their merchandise
Powerpoint link
NCAA Bans use of “indian” sports logos
Moral Suasion: persuasion as opposed to force. Appealing to a persons moral sense
Anti Discriminatory Act, 2009 Youtube

38. Brainstorm
What would be the main arguments supporting the use of First Nations as team names and mascots?
What would be the main arguments against
the use of First Nations
As team names and mascots?

39. “Indian”
"Why is the term "Indian" offensive?" The term "Indian" was given to indigenous people on this continent by an explorer who was looking for India, a man who was lost and who subsequently exploited the indigenous people.
Barbara Munson, a woman of the Oneida Nation

41. It’s an Honour..
"We are honoring Indians; you should feel honored." Native people are saying that they don't feel honored by this symbolism. We experience it as no less than a mockery of our cultures. We see objects sacred to us - such as the drum, eagle feathers, face painting and traditional dress - being used, not in sacred ceremony, or in any cultural setting, but in another culture's game.
Barbara Munson, a woman of the Oneida Nation

42. It’s a Tribute
"We are paying tribute to Indians." Indian people do not pay tribute to one another by the use of logos, portraits or statues.

43. Political Correctness
Recently there has been vocal opposition to First Nations
Used as mascots.

44. Consequences of Stereotypes
Stereotypes harm both the victims and those that perpetuate them, with effects of the society at large
Victims suffer the emotional distress; anger, frustration, insecurity, and feelings of hopelessness
Most of all, Indian children exposed at an early age to these mainstream images internalize the stereotypes paired with the images, resulting in lower self-esteem, contributing to all of the other problems faced by First Nations

45. Stereotypes become discrimination when the assumptions of being more prone to violence and alcoholism limit job opportunities.
This leads directly to First Nations being viewed less stable economically, making it more difficult for those that have succeeded to fully enjoy the benefits in the same way that non-First Nations do, such as obtaining credit
For those that maintain them, stereotypes prevent learning the truth about First Nations and the true history of the Americas

46. Destroying the Stereotypes
-Today there are authentic aboriginal voices
 Aboriginal Artists, Novelists, film makers etc.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network:
-in 1999 APTN was created
-first Canadian Aboriginal owned and operated broadcasting company
-this gives Aboriginals control over what stories are aired
-suddenly non-native Canadians have a chance to hear stories, documentaries, etc. through the eyes and perspective of Aboriginal Canadians

47. Destroying the Stereotypes Cont’d…
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation:
-Aboriginal organization that encourages youth to be proud of their culture
-Celebrates Aboriginal strengths and successes
-it gives scholarships and awards to deserving Aboriginals
-it was designed to build self-esteem and pride for Aboriginal communities