Introduction
Take a scenario whereby you wake up a thousand years from now only to find the essence of your identity mirrored back to you through a distorted lens, reshaped by stories and images from strangers. Your heritage has been reduced to caricatures, and the beauty of your culture is encapsulated in myths crafted by intruders who know nothing about your origin, history, or culture. This is the reality faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada today. This paper explores the historical development of Indigenous stereotypes and how these myths originated and evolved in Canadian society. Also, it will outline the cultural impact of these stereotypes: The role of media, literature, and popular culture in sustaining these stereotypes. Lastly, it will highlight the contemporary relevance, how these stereotypes affect Indigenous-settler relations today, and the response of Indigenous communities to these stereotypes, including efforts to correct misconceptions and promote authentic representations.
Historical Origins of Indigenous Stereotypes
After the arrival of the white settlers and subjection to colonialism, the traditional and the indigenous ways of the natives were completely altered. The natives were subjected to colonial rule under regulations such as the Indian Act, pass system, reserves, and residential schools. These practices later impacted their history, way of life, and heritage, and the effects continue to run for generations (Parrott, 2023). Many of the problems and difficulties that Indigenous Peoples face today were brought about by these policies, which also influenced their unfavorable perceptions of them. Stereotyping is harmful. It has negative consequences for both the targets and those who uphold them, impacting society. The victims or the targets usually experience emotional damage, insecurity, and hopelessness. Indian children who are exposed to mainstream images at a tender age usually internalize the preconceptions associated with these images. This, in turn, makes them develop low self-esteem and exacerbates other social hurdles experienced by American Indians.
According to research conducted in Canada, Indigenous people have a higher rate of discrimination compared to non-Indigenous and non-visible minority communities (Cotter, 2022). Stereotyping becomes discriminative when the assumption of being associated with acts of violence and drug abuse hinders the victims from securing job opportunities. For this reason, Indians are perceived as less economically stable, hindering their ability to fully access financial benefits, even if they have succeeded (Burns & Shor, 2021). Stereotypes hinder a more precise understanding of Native Americans and the history of the United States.
Cultural Impact
Canada has been home to indigenous communities for centuries. There was a wide range of social, cultural, political, and economic complexity among these sovereign nations. Their interactions became more fragmented after Europeans arrived in their territories Aid Saskatchewan (2023). Canada as a nation values variety and cohesion yet overlooks the persistent stereotyped portrayals of First Nations people in the media, sports, commercials, fashion industry, and conversations. Before the 20th century, the natives were called “noble savage” (Petrović, 2021). Later on, after the white settlement in the land, the narrative changed from “noble savage” to “drunken Indian” (DeMocker, 2023). The stereotyping has, however, evolved to gain other titles, such as blood-thirsty savages, lazy, and wealthy, which are generated from running casinos. The media plays a big role in spreading these harmful misconceptions about the First Nations.
The media significantly shapes the Canadian public’s opinion of Indigenous peoples. Media can influence public opinion of Indigenous peoples by selecting what to report. According to “National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” (2018), the media frequently highlight the social and economic difficulties encountered by Indigenous populations, often overlooking instances of prejudice and exploitation by influential groups or authorities. Also, TV shows and film productions spread the wrong perception of the Indigenous people in Canada. In many of the films, the indigenous are stereotyped according to the role or the character they play. Below are the most prevalent characters in films’ representation of the Indigenous.
Beautiful Maidens: For a long time, Indigenous people have been represented in media as possessing supernatural abilities. Hollywood frequently depicts Indigenous women costumed as “warriors,” reinforcing the stereotype that indigenous people are inherently violent (Kareem, 2013). Many White men see Indigenous women in media as sexual objects because of their innocence and beauty. These stereotyping representations of the Indigenous continue painting a picture, thereby influencing the public to have a bad perception of the group. There are significant repercussions in the real world when Indigenous women are portrayed as sexual objects for White men or as inherently promiscuous individuals. Indeed, non-Indigenous men are frequently the aggressors in the sexual attacks that disproportionately affect Indigenous women.
Stoic Indians, Indigenous peoples who are depicted in classical cinema as well as in movies of the 21st century, are typically depicted as unsmiling and speaking very few words. According to Kareem (2013), this portrayal of members of Indigenous tribal communities presents them as one-dimensional individuals who are unable to experience or express a spectrum of emotions comparable to those of other racial groups.
Medicine Men: Indigenous males in films such as Hollywood are frequently depicted as sagacious individuals possessing mystical abilities. These characters typically operate as healers or spiritual leaders and primarily serve to guide White characters. Historically, people in nearly every culture possessed extraordinary insight into the curative properties of various herbs and plants (Kareem, 2013). But Indigenous peoples have been stereotypically depicted in media as docile spiritual guides for White protagonists in films and TV shows.
Blood-thirsty Warriors: for the longest time in Hollywood, Indigenous peoples have often been shown as violent characters armed with tomahawks, prepared to assault White characters and their families. These problematic portrayals frequently depict Indigenous characters participating in brutal acts like scalping their victims and sexually assaulting White women (Davis-Delano et al., 2023). In the film “Smoke Signals,” the character Thomas notes that many indigenous people do not have an origin or a tradition of being warriors, as shown in many of the film’s productions. He comes from a tradition where his people are fishermen (Kareem, 2013).
Perpetuation of Stereotypes and Its Implications on Indigenous-Settler Relations and Policy Efforts
Stereotypes regarding indigenous individuals mostly propagated by Settler Canadians have a significant influence on Indigenous people and relations in societal attitudes and policy decisions in Canadian society. Durand-Moreau et al. (2022) claimed that Indigenous individuals in Canada had experienced economic, social, and political disadvantages, especially due to policies implemented to assimilate Aboriginal individuals, which have unfavorably shaped their health outcomes and dissolved their cultural continuity. These injustices are grounded on historical injustices, exacerbated and perpetuated by stereotypes portraying that indigenous people are dependent, lazy, or inherently inferior. The Indigenous people are forced out of their communities and lands: thousands of Indigenous children have passed away in residential or industrial schools (Durand-Moreau et al., 2022). These school programs were set to assimilate the indigenous children into settlers’ ways of living. Those who have survived these programs reveal that they were mistreated (physical and sexual violence and psychological abuse). Additionally, due to the stereotypes regarding the Indigenous people, there is job discrimination, especially in hiring decisions where the Indigenous people are left out, which widens the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians regarding poverty and marginalization.
As the indigenous people continue to fight for their treaty rights, land rights, and self-governance, stereotypes regarding indigenous individuals shape legal and political discourse. These stereotypes act as barriers to progress or recipients of unjustified and underserved privileges, undermining such efforts. They are seen to oppose economic developments and growth and not viewed from the perspective that they are defending their rights, hence the failure to root causes of Indigenous issues.
Despite the significant stereotypes and challenges amidst the indigenous population, there is a continuing effort to challenge stereotypes and promote authentic representation of the indigenous population. For instance, a key figure, Autumn Peltier, an activist fighting for the indigenous people’s rights while challenging the stereotypes, advocates for indigenous water justice and is the Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation (Lawson, 2023). Indigenous-led initiatives, allyship efforts, and grassroots movements also seek to amplify Indigenous voices, challenge dominant stereotypes, and reclaim Indigenous narratives.
Refutation
Stereotypes cause significant harm. Regardless of a person’s background, frequently encountering derogatory assumptions can be detrimental to their way of life. Regrettably, this is passed from one generation to the other, with the biggest victims being children who do not have coping or defense mechanisms. A very biased society is what comes from children who have been raised in a discriminative society. It is sad to note that stereotyping of the Indigenous has been introduced in schools. The Canadian education system has perpetuated these prejudices by providing scant information about Indigenous Peoples and their authentic history (Loppie et al., 2014). However, this is gradually changing. The Province of British Columbia has required integrating Indigenous knowledge and history into the K–12 curriculum.
Racial discrimination is widely spread by stereotyping other groups of people. Racism has impacted the political, economic, and cultural situations of the First Nations in Canada. Racist beliefs have created a societal structure where Indigenous communities are deprived of resources while dominant groups retain control and influence. Social isolation, cultural assimilation, and political decimation of Indigenous peoples have been strategies employed by colonial powers in Canada based on race to justify their actions (Wylie & McConkey, 2018). Legally sanctioned prejudice has impeded prospects for Indigenous peoples to exercise self-determination. Residential schools across generations encouraged racialized animosity against Indigenous peoples and provided a curriculum focused on assimilating them into Canadian society (Loppie et al., 2014). The damage inflicted on survivors, their offspring, relatives, communities, and future descendants is incalculable.
The history is inaccurate, and the error transfer will breed more stereotyping. Indigenous narratives and historical accounts in the mainstream media are typically presented from a non-Indigenous perspective. This has resulted in misunderstandings that have damaged the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals. The Hollywood film industry has made millions of dollars by telling stories about “cowboys and Indians.” These characters are frequently portrayed by actors and actresses in films and TV shows (Loppie et al., 2014). These depictions of Indigenous Peoples are rarely realistic and accurate. However, the filmmakers take advantage of preconceptions of indigenous peoples to create wealth from the wrong narratives.
Combating Indigenous Stereotyping
Indigenous Representation in Media: Increased participation of Indigenous people in the media can help create and spread more accurate coverage of Indigenous issues by avoiding stereotypes perpetuated via superficial and dramatic reporting. Indigenous film production can effectively convey cultural contexts, aesthetics, and communication techniques to audiences. Non-indigenous journalists and media producers can improve their representation of indigenous people and issues by comprehending cultural variations in communication and incorporating personal narratives into storytelling (Resisting Indigenous Stereotypes in Media | Writing Program, n.d.). Engaging with material created by indigenous individuals contributes to increasing cultural knowledge, as does having direct conversations with indigenous people about their culture. It is crucial to foster an understanding of indigenous culture in an educational environment. Enhancing school curriculums to include indigenous history, culture, and current events could assist journalists and media producers develop a basis for reporting on indigenous people and issues.
Education and Awareness Programs: Education has played a role in colonialism, contributing to the displacement of Indigenous people from their territories, languages, and ways of life. Canadian schooling was intentionally structured to damage Indigenous people by erasing their ways of knowing and destroying family and community systems as part of the civilizing and assimilating aims of Canadian civilization. The government of the day should use the same strategy to educate children on the importance of embracing diversity and appreciating culture. According to McMaster (2023), it is vitally important for the education systems to deliver accurate information about the indigenous people of Canada to decolonize the idealized perceptions of the First Nation in the country.
Decolonizing Institutions and Systems: Decolonization involves changing the perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people towards Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples must regain control over their family, community, culture, history, and traditions that were forcibly removed from them due to federal government assimilation initiatives. Some Communities are regaining sovereignty over time. This involves uncovering, rejuvenation, and reexamination. To achieve decolonization, non-Indigenous Canadians must acknowledge and come to terms with Canada’s colonial past, including how it crippled and still subjugates Indigenous Peoples today (Martin, 2019; Joseph, 2018). Non-Indigenous governments, institutions, and organizations must decolonize the people. This can be done by providing resources necessary for natives to regain their heritage.
Ethical Consideration
The longstanding stereotypes have overshadowed their rich heritage and true cultural identity. The evolution and impact of ‘Imaginary Indian’ stereotypes in Canadian media and culture reveals the significant effects on Indigenous-settler relations and Indigenous self-identity. The role of the media is to promote these harmful stereotypes, educating an entire nation through a biased lens. Efforts have been made to shift this narrative, aiming to right historical wrongs and promote a more accurate representation of Indigenous communities.
Conclusion
The misconception of the Indigenous in Canada has far-reaching and damaging effects that have overturned and erased their true traditions and culture. Examining the historical origins and the cultural impact of these stereotypes helps better understand that they are all falsified ideas to undermine certain groups of people in society. In the evolution of the stereotyping of the First Nations in Canada, the media has been a very effective tool for creating and spreading the wrong perceptions of the people. However, with efforts such as education, media, and advocacy, it is possible to work towards building a more equitable society that is free from misconceptions and restore the true culture and traditions of the First Nations in Canada.
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