| Books | Film & Video | Radio | Websites |
First Nation Representations in the Media
Books
The Imaginary Indian: The Imagine of the Indian In Canadian Culture
by Daniel Francis, 1992
The Imaginary Indianis a fascinating, revealing history of the "Indian" image mythologized by popular Canadian culture since 1850, propagating stereotypes that exist to this day. Images of the Indian have always been fundamental to Canadian culture.
The White Man's Indian: Images of the American Indian from Columbus to the Present
by Robert F. Berkhofer, 1979
Traces the development of the stereotyped images of the American Indian and the misconceptions that have sustained a regrettable lack of understanding.
Film & Video
I'm Not the Indian You Had in Mind
National Screen Institute (5:12 min)
Poem by Thomas King, words spoken by prominent Aboriginal actors. This video shows media clips representing stereotypes of Aboriginal peoples.
Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian
YouTube trailer, 2010. (1:33 min)
Winner of the Peabody Award and three Geminis. A look at the portrayal of Native Americans in film, dating back to the origins of the industry. Highly recommended.
Infusion Works '12 Keynote: Wab Kinew
(26:58 min)
A speech by Wab Kinew convering a controversy at the CBC over the term "survivor" when used in conjuction with former residential school students.
Injin Among Us
Directed by Cynthia Likers (120 secs)
This public service annoucement is part of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Unite Against Racism Campaign. The director addresses the use of movies to portray Native Indians and the way these movies perpetuate stereotyping.
Radio
Aboriginal Voices Network
From their website: AVR's mission is to provide a distinctly Aboriginal service in large urban centres where the majority of Aboriginal people now live. The Aboriginal Voices Radio network informs, enlightens, and entertains with culturally relevant Aboriginal programming for all people.
Websites
Native Appropriations
An excellent blog which discusses current appropriations of Aboriginal and American Indian culture in North America.
Reporting in Indigenous Communities (RIIC)
In this article entitled, News Stereotypes of Aboriginal Peoples, some common stereotypes found in the media are identified.
The Manitoba Historical Society
Fluffs and Feathers: An Exhibit on the Symbols of Indianess
By Peter Geller, Department of History, Carlton University, 1993.
Woodland Cultural Centre
Produced by the Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, Ontario.
Also available:
Deborah Doxtator, Fluffs and Feathers: An Exhibit on the Symbols of Indianness, a Resource Guide (Brantford, Ontario: Woodland Cultural Centre, 1992 [revised edition]).