Activity 4: Addressing Stereotypes About Native Americans

The history of indigenous people in the United States' dominant white culture has been plagued by stereotypes that inhibit real progress toward developing attitudes of tolerance and acceptance.

While this has been true for all minority cultures in our country, negative stereotypes of Native Americans have been especially detrimental.

This activity asks students to critically examine where negative stereotypes are found and how these stereotypes have influenced attitudes and behavior toward Native Americans.

Activity A: Identifying Stereotypes

1. Have students define the word "stereotype." 2. Discuss: What is the difference between positive and negative stereotypes? Why are both types of stereotypes detrimental to building authentic, positive relationships? How can the students avoid letting stereotypes influence their attitudes and relationships?

3. Discuss: Where do we find stereotypes depicted in our modern culture? (Students should address: media, holidays, sports, and textbooks.)

4. Ask students to keep a log of stereotypes they see on television for one week. They should include both television programs and commercials. The log might include the following: Program/Commercial, group stereotyped (e.g., women, men, teenagers, ethnic groups - specific, elderly people, people with disabilities), description of the negative stereotype displayed, and their reaction to the stereotypical depiction.

5. After one week, use a class period or two to have students share their logs. You may wish to have them prepare copies of the log for the entire class or take turns presenting their logs to the class orally.

6. Divide the class into small groups of 4-6 students each and ask each group to address the following:

Which four stereotypes (from any student's log) had the most impact on the students?

How did the stereotypes make the students feel?

How does each negative stereotype hurt the group depicted?

How could the producers of the program or commercial present the group in a more positive, less stereotypical way? (Basically a rewrite of the program or commercial.)

7. After the students have had sufficient time to discuss these points, ask students to come together as a class and present their results to the class.

Activity B: Identifying Negative Native American Stereotypes

1. Discuss the meaning of negative stereotypes and the impact they have on the development of attitudes toward groups of people. 2. Discuss: Are negative stereotypes always false? Are they ever based on accurate historical facts? If so, how can they still be negative toward a group?

3. Provide the class with the list of negative stereotypes about Native Americans detailed below.

4. As a class, read through the list.

5. Ask students to choose one stereotype each. Try to avoid more than one student for each stereotype.

6. Ask students to write a one-page paper that addresses the following:

Examples of how the stereotype has been promoted through various media (movies, television, novels, news reports, websites, commercials, historical interpretations, etc.) and the celebration of holidays. Students should cite specific examples from research.

Description of how the stereotype has a negative impact on attitudes toward Native Americans.

Description of how the stereotype is or is not based on fact. Students should research reliable, relevant, credible historical resources upon which to base their assertions.

Description of what could be done to eliminate the negative stereotype in our culture.

Summary of action steps the student recommends.

7. Student papers may be presented orally to the class, published on a class website, or displayed on a bulletin board.