{"id":1133,"date":"2021-12-03T09:47:21","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T17:47:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/?page_id=1133"},"modified":"2025-09-13T09:54:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T16:54:01","slug":"unit-5-art-first-nations-representations-in-pop-culture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/bc-first-nations-studies-12\/unit-5-art-first-nations-representations-in-pop-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Unit 5 &#8211; Art &#038; First Nations Representations in Pop Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-kvsrenui-b14b1a8d1309cb34ed77f54b3001e83d main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1133'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-kvts73l9-5069c3f9577187b1bd412032baaef222 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" >\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap fullsize'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-1133'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-10fws-54b4c7ae7c62872606a75579c7ae33e2\">\n#top .flex_column.av-10fws-54b4c7ae7c62872606a75579c7ae33e2{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:0px;\n}\n.flex_column.av-10fws-54b4c7ae7c62872606a75579c7ae33e2{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n.responsive #top #wrap_all .flex_column.av-10fws-54b4c7ae7c62872606a75579c7ae33e2{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='flex_column av-10fws-54b4c7ae7c62872606a75579c7ae33e2 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  no-padding first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding  '     ><section  class='av_textblock_section av-kvtr0g61-93931998f2578653f48c4f8e3c21c8c6 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h1><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Unit 5 &#8211; Art &amp; First Nations Representations in Pop Culture<\/span><\/h1>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Unit 5 looks at contemporary Indigenous art in BC, Canada &amp; beyond. It also examines representations of Indigenous peoples in pop culture, issues concerning cultural appropriation, moving beyond stereotypes, and some awesome examples of how Indigenous peoples are using pop culture to expose and dismantle stereotypes and systems of oppression.<\/p>\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"STROMBO: SOAP BOX: Wab Kinew\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GlkuRCXdu5A?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1138 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/andy-everson-treaty-empire.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/andy-everson-treaty-empire.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/andy-everson-treaty-empire-300x209.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>ACTIVITY 1:<\/strong> Cultural Appropriation<\/p>\n<p>What is cultural appropriation? Is it simply one group taking something from another group\u2019s culture? Or is it more complicated? The short answer answer: yes, it\u2019s more complicated. In order to understand cultural appropriation we have to look at power dynamics. Cultural appropriation isn\u2019t simply cultural exchange &#8211; one cultural group borrowing or taking from another cultural group \u2013 it\u2019s a <strong>dominant\u00a0<\/strong>cultural group borrowing or taking from another cultural group, especially if that group has been marginalized or has experienced oppression historically. So if Indigenous artist Andy Everson uses Star Wars imagery in his paintings, is that cultural appropriation?<\/p>\n<p>In short, no. Star Wars is very much part of the dominant culture. This makes it \u2018up for grabs\u2019 in a sense (legal issues notwithstanding \ud83d\ude42 where artists are free to use it in their work. To take a counter example, if a white artist borrows heavily from traditional Indigenous imagery, designs, or forms \u2013 this is an example of cultural appropriation. Check out this well-written piece by Andray Domise. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.macleans.ca\/opinion\/how-some-people-are-missing-the-point-on-cultural-appropriation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How Some People Are Missing the Point on Cultural Appropriation<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Drew Hayden Taylor&#8217;s documentary &#8216;Searching for Winnetou&#8217; explores the issue of cultural appropriation. You may not agree with the conclusion he reaches at the very end. In two paragraphs tell me: 1) what were 3 things that stood out to you in the documentary? 2)Did you agree with Drew&#8217;s opinion (Germans appropriating Indigenous culture is more or less the same as non-Germans celebrating Oktoberfest) and tell me why or why not. *** Spoiler alert: most students do not agree with Drew&#8217;s conclusions \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Searching For Winnetou - Broadcast Screener\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/409562147?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\">\n<p><strong>ACTIVITY 2:<\/strong> Reel Injun is a 2009 Canadian documentary film directed by Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond that explores the portrayal of Native Americans in film and popular culture. The film explores the various stereotypes about Natives in film, from the \u2018noble savage\u2019 to the \u2018drunken Indian.\u2019 (Ask Rory for the film, we have the DVD at school).\u201cThis documentary illustrates the depiction of North America\u2019s First Peoples since the beginning of the history of Hollywood, and shows how these portrayals have entrenched the pop-culture images of the \u201cInjun\u201d as opposed to the lived experience and reality of First Peoples. The film shows how the film industry is changing and how First Peoples are confronting the images and values co-opted by the North American media.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Reel Injun | Full Documentary | TVO Docs\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RZBX5vtFZMk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><em>After watching Reel Injun,\u00a0<\/em><em>in a 1 paragraph response, provide a critical reaction to the film. Some things to consider: do you agree that the portrayal of Indigenous people in film and\/or pop culture is improving? What examples can you give in support of your answer?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>ACTIVITY 3:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m Not The Indian You Had In Mind\u201d<\/p>\n<div class='avia-iframe-wrap'><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"I\u2019m Not the Indian You Had in Mind\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/74mDaWEa5Oc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>Have you ever noticed how Indigenous peoples are often talked about in the past tense? If you\u2019ve ever gone to a museum exhibit or read through a social studies textbook you may have noticed this. Often the view that mainstream society presents is that Indigenous peoples are an extinct people: relics from a bygone era, an historical people. All the common stereotypes come out, and Indigenous peoples are discussed as though they don\u2019t exist in the modern world. This classic short film discusses this tendency for mainstream society to present Indigenous peoples in this way, and emphasizes the complexity and diversity of Indigenous peoples as they exist in the modern world.<\/p>\n<p>In one paragraph, I\u2019d like you to tell me whether you think this problem still exists \u2013 mainstream culture seeing Indigenous peoples as historical stereotypes instead of living people in the modern world \u2013 and whether this problem is getting better or worse, in your opinion.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>ACTIVITY 4:<\/strong>\u00a0 Contemporary Artist Research Project. Now it\u2019s time for you to explore an area of contemporary Indigenous art that appeals to you. Below is a list of contemporary Indigenous artists, including musicians, artists, authors, and so forth. You can also choose someone who isn\u2019t on this list, just make sure to run it by me.<\/p>\n<p>Assignment: either create a 10 slide PowerPoint about the artist, or write a 2 paragraph piece about the artist.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1134\" src=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/snrk.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/snrk.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/snrk-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/snrk-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2021\/12\/snrk-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tanya Tagaq<\/li>\n<li>The Halluci Nation (formerly A Tribe Called Red)<\/li>\n<li>Black Belt Eagle Scout<\/li>\n<li>Jeremy Dutcher<\/li>\n<li>Snotty Nose Rez Kids<\/li>\n<li>Steven Paul Judd<\/li>\n<li>Jane Ash Poitras<\/li>\n<li>Jordan Bennett<\/li>\n<li>Sonny Assu<\/li>\n<li>Andy Everson<\/li>\n<li>Kent Monkman<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":1054,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1133","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-04 20:38:47","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"post_tag","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1133"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1133\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1684,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1133\/revisions\/1684"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comoxvalleyschools.ca\/nalaatsi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}