Generalization & Rationale Objectives Introductory Activity Lesson Part 1 Language Lesson Part 2 Media Lesson Part 3 The Arts Print Lesson & Worksheets

Lesson 1A - Part 2: Media

Teacher Information

The section on media will focus on two aspects of the media how it portrays Aboriginal People and a study of Aboriginal controlled media outlets.

It is important that students recognize how traditional mainstream media has created biases and stereotypes surrounding Aboriginal People and how over the past few decades Aboriginal People have countered these negative views by developing their own culturally relevant media outlets including television, paper publications and radio programs.

Historically, the media has significantly contributed to and perpetuated negative stereotypes of Aboriginal People. Examples date back to some of the earliest movies. Everyone is familiar with the stereotypical image of an 'Indian' riding horseback scalping innocent European settlers. Hollywood, feeling perhaps a little guilty for this negative typecasting developed the token sidekick 'Indian'-always helpful and full of knowledge about nature and warfare. Aboriginal People were always depicted in full regalia, just one of the stereotypes of Aboriginal culture that is misleading and incorrect. Even large and reputable media companies like Disney played a role, perpetuating stereotypes in some of its biggest cartoon motion pictures like Peter Pan and Pocahontas. There have even been non-Aboriginal performers cast in the role of an Aboriginal person.

Aboriginal People have subsequently developed numerous paper publications as well as the television conglomerate 'Aboriginal Peoples Television Network'. The Network is headquartered in Winnipeg, MB and offers Aboriginal People the opportunity to explore roles as directors, writers, producers and media professionals. Today, nearly 75% of its employees are Aboriginal. The idea of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) began in the 1970s in the Canadian North. The federal government initiated experiments to test communication satellites and they partnered with Inuit organizations in Nunuvut and Northern Quebec. In 1980 a report suggested that the development of Aboriginal broadcast initiatives would benefit the preservation of Aboriginal culture and languages. In 1983 the Government of Canada announced the Northern Broadcasting Policy and the Northern Native Broadcasting Access Program. By 1991, Television Northern Canada (TVNC) was launched and their success prompted the conception of the APTN. By 1998 it was recognized that a national Aboriginal channel should be made available to Canadians across the country. In September 1999 the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network became a reality, making broadcasting history. It is currently viewed by more than 9 million Canadians.

The APTN is aimed at both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal viewers. Programming is diverse, including children's animation, youth shows, cultural and traditional programming, music, drama, current affairs, daily news broadcasts and more. Nearly half of the content broadcast is unavailable on other networks.

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