Tag Archives: media stereotyping

Module 2- The Imaginary Indian

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Although not an online resource, this book serves as an excellent resource for all educators.  I first read this text in during my B.Ed program at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.  The author discusses an array of topics that follow the “image” that was created by colonization.  Excerpts can be attained here from GoogleBooks although I encourage reading it in it’s entirety.

Francis, Daniel. The imaginary Indian: the image of the Indian in Canadian culture. Vancouver, B.C.: Arsenal Pulp Press, 1992. Print.

Arctic Hip Hop

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In our discussion this module about stereotypes and critical media anaylsis, I came upon the organization BluePrintForLife which runs the program “Social Work through Hip Hop.” Through the medium of hiphop, this program facilitates social work development and healthy indigenous communities in the Arctic North. Projects are designed with specific communities in mind, but generally deal with issues such as anger, violence, sexual abuse, addictions, positive outlets.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5Q9EpqgfF0&feature=player_profilepage[/youtube]

Elders, adults, and youth are encouraged to participate side by side in fun events such as throat-boxing (Inuit throat boxing combined with beatboxing) as well as complex discussions of  anger, violence, sexual abuse and addictions.This program addresses the multigenerational healing of communities – take the Elder DJ component for example; a way in which Elders can model positive risk taking along with opening dialogue through sharing a laugh.

Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People

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Media Awareness Network
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/aboriginal_people/aboriginal_portrayals.cfm

In my Module 2 searches of stereotypes of Indigenous peoples, I came across this great site by the Media Awareness Network and Media Stereotyping and Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People. This site provides excellent links to other related resources (reports, articles, websites, and even contests) on stereotyping and Indigenous peoples such as: Stereotyping Indians by Omission (Peace Party, 2001); Indian Women as Sex Objects (Blue Corn Comics, 2001); The Basic Indian Stereotypes (Blue Corn Comics); Coyote Goes Hollywood (Native Peoples Magazine, 1997); Indian Princesses and Cowgirls: Stereotypes from the Frontier (An Exhibition by Gail Guthrie Valaskakis and Marilyn Burgess, 1997); Daughters of the Country (NFB, 1987); Stereotype of the Month Contest

It describes the background of stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and how Hollywood has portrayed these stereotypes. This site ties in well with my topic of Elders and Technology and closely correlates with our Module 2 discussions of stereotypes. This site does a great job of addressing different types of Indigenous stereotypes as well as Prins (2002) description of ‘the paradox of primitivism’ and the romantic exoticism embedded in white ideology and Hollywood’s depiction of Indigenous peoples.

It is well designed, aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly, easy to navigate, includes 3 different menu bars. On the right it is organized into the following categories: Overview, Media Violence, Media Stereotyping, Online Hate, Information Privacy and Media and Canadian Cultural Policies. At the bottom, further links to Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People. On the left it has page links for Blog & News, Issues, Research, Educational Games, Special Initiatives, Resource Catalogue, Content Cart, Site Directory, & Help. On top the menu includes home, about us, memberships, supporters, press center, contact us (to find contact information, etc.), a French language choice and a search bar. Excellent information, this site will be one that I will use and reference in the future!