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

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.