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