The portrayal of Aboriginal people in newspapers is the topic of a new book by two University of Regina professors.
Written by Mark Anderson and Carmen Robertson, Seeing Red highlights points throughout Canadian History — from the Riel Rebellion to the Oka standoff — where the media covered Aboriginal issues.
Other historical events included are the Klondike Gold Rush, the 1969 White Paper and post-World War II coverage.
Anderson says this is the first book to uncover how First Nations people are stereotyped in newspapers in Canada.
Robertson says the book is not a guide for journalists and editors — in fact, she calls it more of a “how not to” book — while also showing that misrepresentations of Aboriginal people still exist.
The “imaginary Indian” is a running theme in the book.
Anderson says the ways First Nations people are described in the newspapers from the early 1860s range from being racially and morally inferior to being childish with violent tendencies.
He says many of the themes continue in newspapers today.
Robertson says it’s important for all Canadians to challenge these stereotypes.