Stereotypes & Cultural Appropriation: Native Canadians
1. What does the word stereotype mean to you?
2. Can you think of any examples of stereotypes you’ve seen in the media?
3. Can you think of any examples of specifically Aboriginal stereotypes you’ve seen in the media?
4. Obviously stereotypes are harmful. How could these kinds of stereotypes and misconceptions
help those in power (ex: the government)?
Stereotypes and Cultural Appropriation
What is a stereotype?
 : a widely held and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing
 They generalize groups of people in ways that lead to discrimination and ignore the
diversity within groups. Both negative and positive stereotypes exist, but even the latter
do harm. That’s because all stereotypes are limiting and leave little to no room for
individuality.
Stereotypes in the Media
 Hollywood has made over 4,000 movies about Native people
 We see old stereotypes used over and over in children’s movies and Westerns, which
used to be incredibly popular
 We rarely see them as individual people, they are shown as belonging to the past
 It adds to the subconscious thought that they are no longer here, or only in fairy tales
 Movies have helped define what the world thinks about Natives, yet these portrayals
are often outdated or offensive
 There need to be modern, accurate portrayals featuring actual Native people
Noble Savage stereotype
 Peaceful, kills only to eat or to defend his family, a spiritual, mystic guardian of the land
who exists in harmony with it, stoic, lacking any real emotion, especially humor
Indian Princess stereotype
 She is strong, beautiful, and possesses an exotic sexuality, she is Mother Nature,
American-style, in all her primitive glory.
The Drunk Indian stereotype
 A derogatory, negative caricature. It seeks to portray Natives as an inherently inferior
race that lacks self-control, self-respect, dignity, honour, and morality. The drunk injun is
shiftless, lacks any sense of responsibility, and wants "fire water"
What is cultural appropriation?
 the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of another culture.
 A lot of the time, it can be a positive, respectful, creative thing.
It can sometimes be controversial when…
 It can be if the dominant culture is using elements from a minority culture.
 Sometimes the dominant culture will claim ownership.
 Sometimes the dominant culture will use things that are sacred or sensitive or otherwise
culturally important without the respect or understanding they deserve.
 Sometimes the dominant culture will be praised for using that thing, while the minority
culture would be degraded.