IllumiNative and USC Cite ‘Reservation Dogs,’ ‘Yellowstone’ and More in Native Representation in Television Report

As a seasoned movie critic with a keen eye for racial and social justice issues, I have to say that this study by IllumiNative and the USC Norman Lear Center is both enlightening and concerning. Enlightening because it sheds light on the impact of TV shows on viewers’ attitudes towards Native American communities, and concerning because it reveals that even well-intentioned shows can perpetuate harmful stereotypes or diminish Native autonomy.

IllumiNative, a Native-led group dedicated to racial and social justice, has teamed up with the Media Impact Project at USC’s Norman Lear Center to publish their new research study titled “Native Presence on Scripted Television: The Effect of Enhanced Visibility on Viewers.” This study explores common stereotypes of Native Americans in modern TV shows and assesses how these representations impact viewers.

The research project was divided into two phases: First, researchers analyzed the content of 51 TV series that aired from 2020 to 2022, focusing on their representation of Native characters. Secondly, a survey study was carried out on three popular shows featuring significant Native characters – “Rutherford Falls,” “Reservation Dogs,” and “Yellowstone” – to gauge the impact these series have on viewers’ perceptions, understanding, attitudes, and support for issues affecting Native American communities.

The research revealed that people who watched “Yellowstone” were significantly less inclined than those who didn’t watch it to believe the U.S. should honor treaties granting Native Americans control over their lands. On the other hand, viewers of “Rutherford Falls” tended to be more supportive of such agreements than non-viewers. Fans of “Reservation Dogs,” however, were found to be more inclined to advocate for policies like the Indian Child Welfare Act, which aims to prevent Native American children from being removed from their Native families.

“Crystal Echo Hawk, founder and CEO of IllumiNative, stated that it reinforces a long-held viewpoint: when individuals who are not Native share our narratives, there’s often a significant chance they may inadvertently undermine Native self-governance or perpetuate stereotypes about our communities. Although it’s encouraging to notice that the shows examined seldom employed stereotypes, it’s important to remember that throughout Hollywood history, Native Americans have frequently faced detrimental portrayals of their culture and past, which can shape opinions and influence policy decisions.”

The study found that about two-thirds of the examined TV shows did not feature any Native American crew members behind the camera. Remarkably, those with Native talent involved tended to receive higher viewer approval ratings. Furthermore, the series generally portrayed Native Americans in a favorable light. Unfortunately, 34 out of the initial 51 shows have already concluded, and just four of the remaining 17 ongoing shows have Native directors or producers working on them.

“According to our research findings, contemporary portrayals of Native people are showing some intriguing patterns. Moreover, our impact study clearly demonstrates the potent influence of these on-screen stories,” stated Soraya Giaccardi, a senior researcher at USC Norman Lear Center’s Media Impact Project and the report’s main author. “It was discovered that watching series featuring significant Native characters often leads to increased awareness and understanding about Native communities. Additionally, it was found that such viewing experiences can foster support for real-world issues like the Indian Child Welfare Act or halting the use of Native symbols in sports.”

Read the full report here.

2024-08-20 16:16

IllumiNative and USC Cite ‘Reservation Dogs,’ ‘Yellowstone’ and More in Native Representation in Television Report

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