Aboriginal Stereotypes And How to Counter Them

Stereotypes of Ignoring Non-Existance The Maya: http://io9.com/5928085/10-civilizations-that-disappeared-under- mysterious-circumstances Cultures that have disappeared: Eg. The Beothuk

Racism as a thing of the Past

Negative Stereotypes Treaties and Special Treatment Free Education Treaty money How long will treaties last? as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow Validity of the Treaties

Taxes Non-Status and Métis pay the same as anyone else For status, Under Indian Act Section 87, the following are exempt: Property on Reserve Employment income on or connected to reserve GST for purchases on reserve or delivered to reserve HST when a status card is presented (Ontario) Reserves Less than half – of 1,172,179 in 2006, only 229,970 live on reserve.

Substance Abuse Not an Aboriginal Issue – this is a poverty issue. Particularly dangerous stereotype. Eg. Brian Sinclair: http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/09/13/unfair-to-discipline-staff-for-winnipeg-mans-death- during-er-wait-hospital/

Aboriginal people and employment Aboriginal employment is going up, as is small business ownership ‘Real Aboriginal People’ are successful in every sector Issues arise due to Societal factors, racism, and community remoteness

Positive and Neutral Stereotypes The stoic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bctCV38FfU The weeping environmentalist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7OHG7tHrNM The child/trusty sidekick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC7iUM9L1l4 The Noble Savage: http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70133791&trkid=3445882 (24:10) The Losers of the Game/the Victims: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcSyaR5PwCo

Aboriginal Culture in Symbols/Mascots Why is this OK….

Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Never dress, act, or do activities that reduce a group into a caricature or stereotype. If it’s not accurate and respectful, it’s not OK.

Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Don’t misuse anything of deep religious significance or cultural meaning, even if you don’t understand exactly why.

Avoiding Cultural Appropriation Ask yourself: would the group in question be offended? Take history into account, and show empathy.

Avoiding Cultural Appropriation That doesn’t mean it’s not OK to show interest. Just do your research and act with empathy.

What to do? How can we counter stereotypes in the education system?

Post-Colonial Racism Biological Fact or Cultural Invention? Determines how we are treated and treat others Nobody should ever feel ashamed of their heritage Post-Colonial Racism Regulating representation of ‘self’ and ‘other’ What representations do we see in books? Movies? What do we include/leave out? Who do we centre on/marginalize? How does that impact on power? Read “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Critical Race Theory Look at: Race, Racism, and other forms of subordination Challenging dominant ideologies Eliminating racial oppression along with other forms of oppression Value and inclusion of diverse ways of thinking Looking at the experiences of people of colour Challenging the notion of ‘colour blindness’ Interest convergence – what can the dominant group give to satisfy demands without really changing things? Education as anti-racism vs. Education for reproducing inequalities

Citizenship and multiculturalism Full citizenship and cultural visibility Inverse relationship Multiculturalism: incorporating minority voices Benefits for culture-connected Aboriginal students Returning culture to disconnected Aboriginal people Benefits for non-Aboriginal students Aboriginal Knowledge Aboriginal values Making sense of policy Moving beyond stereotypes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bctCV38FfU

Integrating Aboriginal Perspectives What aspects of Aboriginal Culture should/can be integrated? How can we integrate these elements? How do you expect integration to impact on academic achievement for on-reserve students? Urban Aboriginal students? Non-Aboriginal students? Students who are New Canadians? How do teachers feel about integrating Aboriginal perspectives?