Survey: People think Native Americans don't exist/aren't discriminated against

Kristen Inbody | Great Falls Tribune

Where are Native Americans? For many Americans, tribes are relegated to history books.

A recent survey found 40 percent of respondents didn't think Native Americans still exist.

The Reclaiming Native Truth project aimed to figure out what the "dominant narrative" is around Native people. So, what are people saying about Native Americans, how are they represented in culture and media and, crucially, how does that translate into public policy and opinion?

“The complete lack of representation in the media, in pop culture, in K-12 education not only erases us from the American consciousness, it inadvertently creates a bias,” consultant Echo Hawk told Women's Media Center. “People were less likely to support certain rights and social justice issues for Native people when they had zero perception and understanding of who we are. Invisibility and erasure is the modern form of racism against Native people.”

Some findings from the survey:

•59 percent agreed the United States committed genocide against Native Americans.

•36 percent of people thought Native Americans experience significant discrimination.

•Bias against Native Americans depends on region, with the greatest bias shown among those who live nearest Indian reservations.

•People held dual ideas about Natives, for example that they live in abject poverty but also are "flush with casino money" or care about the environment but live on trashed reservations.

•Teachers and parents in focus groups found school curriculum covering Native Americans is inaccurate and that Natives are under-represented (none of the focus groups were in Montana, which has Indian Education for All programs).

Vina Chattin School preserves Blackfoot language Students at the Vina Chattin School in Browning have the option of taking a Native American Studies course which includes Blackfoot language immersion.

•Research shows mascots such as the Washington Redskins are detrimental to Native students and reinforce bias against Indians, with 4/5 Native Americans finding them offensive. Half the country in general believes the mascots honor Natives and opposes a ban. Younger respondents, especially Millennial women, are more likely to support a ban.

•71 percent of those surveyed favored expanding national monuments to protect sacred lands.

•63 percent of people surveyed support “doing more for Native Americans,” while 5 percent argued for doing less.

•36 percent of those surveyed believe they have some Native American ancestry.

•Among the positive stereotypes of Native Americans: "committed to preserving their culture," "committed to family and community," "spiritual/mystical,""resilient in the face of discrimination, oppression and genocide," "close to the land or stewards of the environment" and patriotic Americans/serving in military.

•Protests at Standing Rock lifted the profile of Native Americans, reminding Americans and people around the world that they still exist, united tribes, leveraging non-traditional media and bringing issues of tribal sovereignty to the public.

•Most people, from elected officials to the media to the general public, didn't understand tribal sovereignty. Most lumped all Native Americans into one group instead of recognizing tribal differences.

•College-educated people, people of color, people who are or know Native Americans, people in the Northeast, liberals and young women are more likely to support Native Americans. White people in Indian Country, seniors, conservatives and older men without a college degree were considered the toughest to convince to be allies.

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