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Indigenous Perspectives on Globalization: Self-Determination Through Autonomous Media Creation (M2, #3)

http://www.globalautonomy.ca/global1/summary.jsp?index=RS_Tabobondung_MediaCreation.xml

This is a thought-provoking article examining, among other issues, how Indigenous cultures have been resisting the forces of globalization while also asserting their autonomy and right to self-determination for over five centuries.

The article goes on to discuss how it’s important for Indigenous peoples to be in control of media representations of themselves so that dominant stereotypes about their communities are no longer perpetuated. Needless, to say this is a challenge for any culture outside the mainstream, Indigenous or otherwise.

Despite many challenges, the range and creativity of Indigenous media production in Canada and around the world is now quite substantial. With large, successful Indigenous-led film festivals, such as The ImagineNATIVE Aboriginal Film and Media Arts Festival in Toronto firmly established, it’s anticipated that this positive momentum will continue.

Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People (M2-4)

The discussions related to Nanook of the North as well as many of our readings in this module had us analyzing how First Nations people are depicted in the media and online.  Within the module I kept on thinking the stereotypes the Western world has developed around the Native American persona.

One site that I found summarized these stereotypes in an honest and realistic manner is the Media Awareness Network’s Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People page.  The site digs deep into North American film and television to list numerous ways in which Aboriginal people have been misrepresented.  In their list they touch on some of the following misrepresentations:

  • Romanticization
  • The Indian Princess
  • The Native Warrior
  • The Noble Savage
  • Historical Inaccuracies
  • Simplistic Characterizations

Other sections of the site investigate some very relevant topics including:

Module 2 – Weblog Entry #4 – Bruce Spencer

Stereotypes

Videos

YouTube – D Indians Shave – by Chris Spotted Eagle

This video is based on street interviews taken in 1972 highlights some of the misconceptions Americans had about American Indigenous people. The interviewee is a native North American. You may be surprised by some of the answers he got to questions like do Indians shave, how much land do Indians own, where did scalping come from, do Indians speak a common language, how many Indians live in the Us and so on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBx7mele67g (video)

Here are a few other videos to remind us about lack of tolerance and respect some people seem to have towards indigenous people. There are some strong messages being sent here.

• The Indians in Brazil – Who are they? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAhjy4HLNWI (video)
• Laughing at Aboriginies? – Tough Questions to QUT Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM0HYYBKblg (video)

Module 2 Weblog #5

Media Awareness Network – The Impact of Stereotyping on Young People (focus on Aboriginal people)

Description & Relevancy

This article on the Media Awareness Network examines the negative impact of stereotypes in media on aboriginal people, as the Harding study in this module did. It also highlights positive changes in some avenues of Canadian media to show new sensitivities and support for cultural diversity.

The broader Media Awareness Network website promotes critical thinking in young people about the media and compliments the information Sandra has recently posted on critical thinking and media.

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