American Indian

Week 2

On page fifteen of Linda Smith’s introduction she stated that factors such as cultural protocols and values are to be “built in to research explicitly, to be thought about reflexively, to be declared openly as part of the research design, to be disseminated back to the people in culturally appropriate ways… it is simply part of an ethical and respectful approach.” I understand that there are many ethical dilemmas that can rise within the process of research due to culturally accepted and respected methodologies. However, what draws the line between stating fact based off of observational research and portraying cultural protocols that may appear unethical or demeaning? I am curious to find out the science behind the ethical dilemmas that arise in studying and research an indigenous culture. Furthermore, does that mean that indigenous researchers would have an even stronger inner ethical conflict when working to respectfully disseminate these ‘factors’ at play?

Week 3

Watching the movie Reel Injun was eye opening because I have been previously naïve to the multitude of skewed and degrading portrayals of American Indians in Hollywood for so many years. When having a discussion in class the topic that really made me reflect upon how these movies have impacted both mine as well as young people’s thoughts around the world was the question, “Do you think that the kids in the summer camp sequence in Reel Injun only encountered Native people in Hollywood movies?” My answer to this question would have to be undoubtedly yes. The severe and aggressive nature they were portraying was what them supposedly emanating native culture and action. However, I see it as savage to the point where it does not represent any culture just that of uninhibited man. Summer camps around the nation can work towards educating children and teens more accurately about Native heritage, beliefs, and values rather than sticking to a distorted stereotype that Hollywood has set up for us...