ABORIGINAL STEREOTYPES
Wab Kinew has a conversation with Canada in his series, 8th Fire, in order to build burned bridges between Aboriginal People and Non-Aboriginal Canadians. By doing so he has also made both stereotypes and modern day truths about First Nation, Metis and Inuit people more explicit.
For more information about Wab Kinew and/or the 8th Fire CBC Series click on the links below: |
How Much Do You Know About Aboriginal Peoples of Canada?
Try to see if you can answer all of the questions below from Calgary Anti-Racism Education
Answer True or False for the following questions:
1. Aboriginal people in Canada do not pay taxes.
2. The terms ‘Aboriginal,' ‘Native,' ‘First Nations,' and ‘Indigenous' are interchangeable
3.Aboriginal people don't have to pay anything for housing, education, or medical care.
4.More than 80 per cent of Aboriginal people in Canada live below the poverty line.
5.More than 100 Aboriginal communities in Canada don't have sanitary drinking water.
6.Most Aboriginal people in Canada want to separate from Canada.
7.Aboriginal people are opposed to economic development and/or participation in the mainstream economy.
8.Aboriginal people comprise about 5 per cent of Canada's population and this percentage is expected to double in 20 years.
9.It is estimated that there were about 25 First Nations living in what is now Canada at the time of European colonization.
10.The term "Metis" refers to people of French and Aboriginal ancestry who lived around the Red River Valley in what is now Manitoba.
11.Because their community was created ‘after' colonization, the Metis people don't have any land claims or hunting or fishing rights.
12.Aboriginal men make up more than 75% of the male prison population across Canada.
13.Aboriginal women in Canada were granted the vote at the same time as white women were granted the vote.
14.The Indian Act is the only piece of current Canadian legislation that defines a group of people according to categories of race and ancestry.
15.The number of Aboriginal youth that graduate from high school is about half that of the mainstream population.
16.The Conservative Federal Government under Stephen Harper supports the Kelowna Accord.
How do you think you scored?
According to the Calgary Anti-Racism Education for understanding "You in Anti-Racism", is acknowledging what you do and do not know. Not only should you reflect on your knowledge but you need to consider where you have received this information from and whether or not the sources are valid. Perhaps, it was actually an experience that made you change your mind on your assumptions or maybe they even added to your misconceptions. All in all, self-awareness and self-knowledge is key in reducing wide spread racism.
For more information about "You in Anti-Racism" Check out the link below:
Answer True or False for the following questions:
1. Aboriginal people in Canada do not pay taxes.
2. The terms ‘Aboriginal,' ‘Native,' ‘First Nations,' and ‘Indigenous' are interchangeable
3.Aboriginal people don't have to pay anything for housing, education, or medical care.
4.More than 80 per cent of Aboriginal people in Canada live below the poverty line.
5.More than 100 Aboriginal communities in Canada don't have sanitary drinking water.
6.Most Aboriginal people in Canada want to separate from Canada.
7.Aboriginal people are opposed to economic development and/or participation in the mainstream economy.
8.Aboriginal people comprise about 5 per cent of Canada's population and this percentage is expected to double in 20 years.
9.It is estimated that there were about 25 First Nations living in what is now Canada at the time of European colonization.
10.The term "Metis" refers to people of French and Aboriginal ancestry who lived around the Red River Valley in what is now Manitoba.
11.Because their community was created ‘after' colonization, the Metis people don't have any land claims or hunting or fishing rights.
12.Aboriginal men make up more than 75% of the male prison population across Canada.
13.Aboriginal women in Canada were granted the vote at the same time as white women were granted the vote.
14.The Indian Act is the only piece of current Canadian legislation that defines a group of people according to categories of race and ancestry.
15.The number of Aboriginal youth that graduate from high school is about half that of the mainstream population.
16.The Conservative Federal Government under Stephen Harper supports the Kelowna Accord.
How do you think you scored?
According to the Calgary Anti-Racism Education for understanding "You in Anti-Racism", is acknowledging what you do and do not know. Not only should you reflect on your knowledge but you need to consider where you have received this information from and whether or not the sources are valid. Perhaps, it was actually an experience that made you change your mind on your assumptions or maybe they even added to your misconceptions. All in all, self-awareness and self-knowledge is key in reducing wide spread racism.
For more information about "You in Anti-Racism" Check out the link below:
What Types Of Misconceptions Do You Think You Have About Canadian Aboriginal Peoples?
Stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream society influence the way in which Aboriginal people even see themselves. This will be explained even more in Media Influences. Learn the truths about Aboriginal people, their cultures, histories, and circumstances today. Below are some graphs that showcase current statistics that debunk prevalent myths. Also, get to know Aboriginal peoples who are making a difference in our communities -- check out the section on the website, Aboriginal Leaders and Role Models and replace any preconceived ideas with positive perceptions of Canadian Aboriginal peoples.
Check out TD Banks 2012 Special Report That Debunks Myths Surrounding Canadian Aboriginals
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Michael Lickers is the founder of the Aboriginal Outdoor Experiential Leadership Program, Ghost River Rediscovery, in Calgary, Alberta. He has received a Masters in Aboriginal Youth Leadership and even teaches Native Studies field courses to University students.
He writes an article called On Eagles Wings: Misconceptions in order to debunk these misconceptions. Myth # 1 All Aboriginal peoples are the same. Myth #2 Aboriginal peoples have always had the same rights as others in Canada. Myth # 3 Aboriginal peoples have lots of money. Myth # 4 Aboriginal Peoples are responsible for their current situation. Myth # 5 Aboriginal peoples have everything paid for; they don’t have to pay for their housing, education or medical expense. Myth # 6 Aboriginal peoples do not pay taxes. Myth # 7 Aboriginal peoples cannot interface with, or adapt to, life in the mainstream. Myth # 8 Aboriginal peoples do not have good work ethic; they have high rates of turnover and absenteeism. Myth # 9 There are no qualified Aboriginal peoples to hire. Myth # 10 Hiring Aboriginal peoples is a form of reverse discrimination. Myth # 11 All Aboriginal people get money when they turn 18. Learn more about these misconceptions by clicking on the link below: |