What most people in this country know — or think they know — about Native Americans is rooted in myths, stereotypes and half-truths. Information they have received since birth from movies, television, the media and school lessons has created a false narrative (or commonly accepted story) about historic and contemporary Native Americans and tribes. From a young age, most people in the United States have been immersed in the current dominant narrative about Native peoples. It is a largely false and deficit-based narrative, meaning it focuses on challenges and weaknesses — real, assumed or exaggerated — rather than being based on strengths and opportunities. These narratives are almost always created by non-Native people, often with the intention to oppress Native nations, peoples and cultures. The effects are profound. The negative, persistent narrative can harm the self-esteem and aspirations of Native Americans — especially children. It also reinforces negative stereotypes among non-Native people, shaping how they think and act. As individuals, our internalized biases, stereotypes, misunderstandings, ignorance and blind spots are all products of it. Our country has used the false narrative to justify oppressive practices and laws, and historic and systemic racism.
If we work to restore the narrative that has been erased, we will succeed in generating understanding about laws and policies that continue to devastate our Native world. That will lead to real change. The dominant American narrative dehumanizes, derides and objectifies Native people. The new narrative should tell the truth, the strength of their history, the power of their contemporary attainments, the resilience of their cultures, the continuance of their values.
