Indian Stereotypes in TV Science Fiction: First Nations' Voices Speak Out

Sierra S. Adare

Published by University of Texas Press 2005

Indian Stereotypes in TV Science Fiction

First Nations' Voices Speak Out

Sierra S. Adare

https://doi.org/10.7560/706118

Overview
Contents

About this book

According to an early 1990s study, 95 percent of what college students know about Native Americans was acquired through the media, leading to widespread misunderstandings of First Nations peoples. Sierra Adare contends that negative "Indian" stereotypes do physical, mental, emotional, and financial harm to First Nations individuals.

At its core, this book is a social study whose purpose is to explore the responses of First Nations peoples to representative "Indian" stereotypes portrayed within the TV science fiction genre. Participants in Adare's study viewed episodes from My Favorite Martian, Star Trek, Star Trek: Voyager, Quantum Leap, The Adventures of Superman, and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Reactions by viewers range from optimism to a deep-rooted sadness. The strongest responses came after viewing a Superman episode's depiction of an "evil medicine man" who uses a ceremonial pipe to kill a warrior. The significance of First Nations peoples' responses and reactions are both surprising and profound. After publication of "Indian" Stereotypes in TV Science Fiction, ignorance can no longer be used as an excuse for Hollywood's irresponsible depiction of First Nations peoples' culture, traditions, elders, religious beliefs, and sacred objects.

Author / Editor information

Sierra S. Adare, of Laramie, Wyoming, is an independent scholar, a documentary filmmaker for Educational Fundamentals, and a member of the Word Craft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. She has been a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University’s American Indian Program and an instructor at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	XI
Discussion of Terms Used Publicly Available Download PDF	XIII
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER 1. First Nations Voices on Hollywood “Indians” Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
CHAPTER 2. It’s All in the Label Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	16
CHAPTER 3. Future “Indians,” Past Stereotypes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	29
CHAPTER 4, Shoshones and Non-Shoshones Assess Quantum Leap “Freedom”: A Special Showing Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	58
CHAPTER 5. Sky Spirits in Space: “Indian” Spirituality and the Small Screen Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
CHAPTER 6.Visions for the Future Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
Conclusion and Epilogue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	102
APPENDIX A. Survey 1 Form: Stereotyping Indigenous Peoples in Science Fiction TV Shows Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	105
APPENDIX B. Shoshone Survey Form: Stereotyping Indigenous Peoples in Science Fiction TV Shows Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	106
APPENDIX C. Survey 2 Form: “American Indian” Religions and Spirituality Stereotyping in Science Fiction TV Shows Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
APPENDIX D. Interview Questions for Focus Group Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	108
APPENDIX E. Categorizing the Comments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	109
APPENDIX F. Common Threads: Positive and Negative Comments on Stereotypical Depictions of “Indians” in the Episodes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	111
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	131
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137

Language: English
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 160

eBook

Published: August 17, 2009
ISBN: 9780292796850