Media Portrayal of Media Portrayal of First NationsFirst Nations

““Heyyy Victor”Heyyy Victor”

What is a stereotype?What is a stereotype?

A stereotype is a A stereotype is a description of a description of a person, place or person, place or thing based on thing based on generalizations of generalizations of shared shared characteristicscharacteristics

The multicultural mosaic.The multicultural mosaic.

One of the points of pride in being One of the points of pride in being Canadian is living in a “Multicultural Canadian is living in a “Multicultural society.”society.”

Canadian identity is built upon the Canadian identity is built upon the idea that all cultures contribute to idea that all cultures contribute to the overall health of the country.the overall health of the country.

If we are so proud of our identity If we are so proud of our identity then how did we forget the then how did we forget the Indigenous peoples of this land?Indigenous peoples of this land?

First Nations have been First Nations have been exploited in the media since exploited in the media since before the genre was mass before the genre was mass

produced.produced.

The invention of motion The invention of motion pictures featured Aboriginal pictures featured Aboriginal people as something exotic people as something exotic

and rare.and rare.

An early silent film that attempted an An early silent film that attempted an honest portrayal of Aboriginal people honest portrayal of Aboriginal people was the 1930 film called “The Silent was the 1930 film called “The Silent

Enemy”.Enemy”.

The human and cultural The human and cultural genocidegenocide that took place in that took place in

the early history of the United the early history of the United States and Canada is forgotten States and Canada is forgotten

and the stereotyping of and the stereotyping of Aboriginal people is sold to Aboriginal people is sold to

eager audiences for a variety eager audiences for a variety of purposes… of purposes…

Romantization of Aboriginal Romantization of Aboriginal PeoplePeople

Homogenization Homogenization (aka they are all the same)(aka they are all the same)

The Branding of Aboriginal The Branding of Aboriginal PeoplePeople

First Nations have been First Nations have been marketed and an illusion has marketed and an illusion has

been created.been created.

From Noble SavageFrom Noble Savage

To Savage Indians Frozen In To Savage Indians Frozen In TimeTime

First Nations continue to be First Nations continue to be portrayed in media.portrayed in media.

Why is it important for First Why is it important for First Nations to Nations to

maintain/retain/recapture maintain/retain/recapture control of cultural artefacts' control of cultural artefacts'

(including images)?(including images)?

Aboriginal people have been Aboriginal people have been featured in over 4000 films.featured in over 4000 films.

Stereotypical portrayals of Stereotypical portrayals of Aboriginal people have Aboriginal people have

included…included…

According to Hollywood First According to Hollywood First Nations are…Nations are…

Hollywood and other media Hollywood and other media outlets have been reluctant to outlets have been reluctant to portray Aboriginal people as portray Aboriginal people as

human beings.human beings.

Realistic Portrayals of Realistic Portrayals of Aboriginal PeopleAboriginal People

What does Aboriginal Control What does Aboriginal Control of Aboriginal artefacts’ and of Aboriginal artefacts’ and

images look like?images look like?

First Nation ArtistsFirst Nation Artists

First Nation DancersFirst Nation Dancers

Film Makers & News MakersFilm Makers & News Makers

First Nation Political LeadersFirst Nation Political Leaders

What are the impacts of media What are the impacts of media portrayals of First Nations?portrayals of First Nations?