Portrayal of Arctic Indigenous Peoples in mainstream culture: accuracy or cliché?

In mainstream culture, representations of Arctic Indigenous peoples' lifestyles, practices, arts, knowledge and ways of thinking are often oversimplified and based on stereotypes. This misrepresentation in Western media leads individuals to perceive Arctic indigenous peoples through clichés such as cruel hunting practices, living in an igloo, over-consumption of alcohol or even a primitive way of life.

Besides, the oversimplification of Arctic Indigenous cultures leads to a homogenisation of these peoples, grouping them under a single vague idea and thus overlooking their specific characteristics and their many differences.

The aim of this webinar is therefore to discuss these stereotypes and the extent to which they are harmful to Indigenous peoples. It is also an opportunity to examine the roots of these stereotypes – is this either/or colonisation, lack of understanding, commercial and tourism purposes? - and thereafter give a more accurate representation of what the different Indigenous cultures are about.

Date and time: Monday 6th November, 2023 - 5PM GMT

Organizer:

Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network

Co-organizers:

North American and Arctic Defence Security Network

Participants:

Moderator:

• P. Whitney Lackenbauer - Professor in the School for the Study of Canada at Trent University.

Speakers:

• Dr. Haliehana Alaĝum Ayagaa Stepetin - Artist, Activist, Assistant Professor of Arctic Security Studies, Ted Stevens Center
• Dirk Gindt - Professor of Theater Studies, University of Stockholm
• Coppélie Cocq - Professor in Sámi Studies and Digital Humanities, Umeå University
• Bridget Larocque - Indigenous Métis scholar of the Northwest Territories. She is co-lead of the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network and Chair of the Northern Advisory Board
• Kimberly Fairman - Executive Director, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research (ICHR)
• Jen Sidorova - Research and Data Analyst, University of Calgary.