Title: Common Native American Stereotypes Debunked - Everyday Feminism
Headings: Common Native American Stereotypes Debunked
Common Native American Stereotypes Debunked
Negative Stereotypes
1. All Native Americans are alcoholics.
2. Native Americans are lazy.
3. All Native Americans live on reservations.
4. American Indians receive special benefits and privileges from the government.
5. Native Americans overreact to their likenesses being used in school celebrations or as team mascots.
Positive Stereotypes
1. Native Americans are spiritual and wise.
2. American Indians are animal lovers, tree-huggers, and sun-worshippers.
3. Native Americans are all dancers and storytellers.

Content: And it’s still problematic when you assign one idea to an entire group of people. 1. Native Americans are spiritual and wise. While it’s true that Natives have a history threaded with cultural traditions, it would be inaccurate to say that every one of them is spiritual and brimming with vats of wisdom ready to be dispensed at any time. It’s just like saying that all Canadians are super laid-back, all New Englanders are punctual, and all Southerners are hospitable. Just because you see it portrayed on TV or read about it in a book doesn’t make it accurate for every individual, even if it’s accurate for some. Having these pre-conceived “positive” notions of qualities that people of certain cultures or ethnicities are supposed to possess only places undue pressure on those who don’t “measure up.” 2. American Indians are animal lovers, tree-huggers, and sun-worshippers. When we think of the Native culture, often the first thing to come to mind is their supposed love of animals — especially eagles and wolves.