Avoid Teaching Native American Stereotypes
By Laura Elliff
November is Native American Heritage Month and generally it is the time when young children's conceptions about Native Americans develop out of media portrayals of the "First Thanksgiving." If you ask children what they know about "Indians" they will associate it with Thanksgiving activities or lesson plans. If a teacher associates Native Americans with holidays like Columbus Day or Thanksgiving, it makes children believe that Native Americans do not exist. Children often only know negative stereotypes of Native Americans because they are so heavily displayed in books and media. They perceive "Indians" as blood-thirsty savages or uncivilized animals that are less than human. One example: just rent the original Walt Disney Peter Pan cartoon or read the children's book, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky, where Chief Seattle of the Squamish tribe is illustrated as a member of the Plains tribe.
As ISU is well known for its education curriculum, I ask all future teachers to please research Thanksgiving and teach no stereotypes about Native Americans. Individuals may ask why this is so important because Native Americans make up less than 1% of the population; but they still represent over 500 nations that reflect diversity in culture, language and geographical locations. The problem is, educators teach what they have learned when they were young and it is incorrect. For example, it is wrong for children to pick "Indian" symbols and paint them on their face. It is wrong for children to make up their own "Indian" name. It is wrong for children to learn how to make a dancing bustle or headdress. No one can dress up like an "Indian." Native Americans are not fictitious persons; they are human beings. These activities are disrespectful to Native Americans. The paint is sacred and a headdress is something one may achieve in a whole lifetime. Many children and (sad but true) adults come to believe that Indians do not exist unless they have face paint, long hair, dark eyes, beads, feathers, or a headdress. If an Indian does not look like the stereotypical Plains, the Hollywood Indian, people get confused. An effort needs to be made to teach children about the historic truth of Native Americans and not myths and stereotypes.
A positive strategy that can be used in classrooms is teaching contemporary knowledge about Native Americans and balancing it out with historical information. For example, teach about one nation, like the Ojibwe, Choctaw, Spokane, etc. and let children know they do not just exist in the past. Teachers could also bring in a holiday poster or card and critique the stereotypical "Pilgrim and Indian" figures. Debbie Reese, a Pueblo Indian, teaches in early childhood education and recommends avoiding presenting sacred activities for children. A popular activity involves the paper headband with feathers. Reese notes, "consider how a devout Catholic might feel about children making a chalice out of paper cups and glitter."
Today, teachers need to educate themselves and that involves teaching the historical and contemporary lives of Native American nations. So, next time you see a child running around with Indian feathers in his or her hair, "Indian" face painting, or even hear children say phrases like "acting like a bunch of wild Indians," "Indian giver," or "sitting Indian style": Stop, listen, learn, and educate.
