Media Article Analysis: Portrayals of Aboriginal People in Media

This report analyzes a media article focusing on the common portrayals of Aboriginal people, highlighting the stereotypes presented in the media. The article discusses simplistic characterizations, stereotyping by omission, romanticization, and historical inaccuracies. It examines how media often depicts indigenous people as victims, ecologists, or unwelcome warriors, which are false ideas based on negative attitudes. The report connects the article to the week's topic, which critiques the rhetorical colonialism of journalistic practices. The author emphasizes the need to stop using stereotypes when covering issues surrounding these people and suggests that the media should involve indigenous groups in the change process to accurately represent their identity. The report also highlights the importance of understanding the colonial history of Canada and the diverse cultures of indigenous people to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Running head: MEDIA ARTICLE 1
Media Article
Name
Institution

MEDIA ARTICLE 2
Media Article: Common Portrayals of Aboriginal People
http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/aboriginal-people/common-portrayals-aboriginal-people
Overview
This article highlights the most common forms of stereotyping of the indigenous groups in
Canada that is portrayed by the media. Simplistic characterizations, stereotyping by omission,
romanticization as well as inaccuracies of history are the most common traps of stereotyping.
The author goes on to explain that most media houses depict these indigenous people as victims
of politics, ecologists and unwelcome warriors, which are only false ideas based on negative
attitudes. However, to refute these ideas, the media should not only cover varied events of these
people but also disseminate more information about the reality of the indigenous people, and also
involve these groups in the change process.
Significance in this week’s topic
This article is relevant to this week’s topic as it highlights how the negative coverage of
indigenous people and underrepresentation in the media is as a result of stereotypes that have not
been proven. This week, we learnt about Lang (2015) critiquing the rhetorical colonialism of
journalistic practices which fails to recognize the colonial history of the indigenous people. This
article points out the need to stop using stereotypes when covering issues surrounding these
people.
Reaction
Reading this article made me realize that the shallow and stereotypical coverage of the
indigenous people by the media has a great influence on the misunderstanding of these people.

MEDIA ARTICLE 3
While films have been made to explore the common myths associated by these people, some
people understand while others do not and still hold on to the stereotypes. Also, this has resulted
into a media renaissance, a situation where the indigenous people are taking it upon themselves
to tell their stories. This is purposely to reassert their identity by through their language, culture
and community.
Connection to colonial history
If the media really want to tell stories of the indigenous people, then it is important they meet
them in person. In the colonial history, Canada was inhabited by indigenous people with
different cultures, beliefs, trade networks and styles of socialization. It is therefore important for
the media to understand these before portraying these people as primitive or violent because such
portrayals have become comfortable points of reference. Nairn, McCreanor, and Barnes (2017)
create emphasis on the importance and influence that the media has on the representation of the
indigenous people in Anglo-colonized territories.
Critical questions
How can accountability to the issues of indigenous people be nurtured by the media?
Can the inclusion of the indigenous culture in the education system cultivate an awareness of this
culture?

MEDIA ARTICLE 4
References
Lang, M. J. (2015). Written out of their own story: The rhetorical colonialism of journalistic
practice. Communication Studies, 66(1), 85-102.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2013.867408
Mediasmarts. (2015). Common portrayals of aboriginal people. Retrieved from
http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/aboriginal-people/common-portrayals-aboriginal-
people
Nairn, R., McCreanor, T., & Barnes, A. M. (2017). Mass media representations of indigenous
peoples. Auckland: Massey University. https://trc.org.nz/sites/trc.org.nz/files/Mass-
media-representations-indigenous-peoples%20.pdf