Debunking the Pocahontas Paradox: The Need for a Humanistic Perspective

Abstract

Historical and contemporary stereotypes of Native American Indian women have resulted in inaccurate and insensitive images. Mass media, movies, and printed materials continue to portray Native American Indian women as either princesses or savages. The purpose of this article is to provide a more humanistic perspective of this population.

Counselling with First Nations Women: Considerations of Oppression and Renewal

“…The Indian Act also took away culturally established rights for First Nations women, denying them the right to vote in band elections or on issues of band territory, to hold political office, or to speak at public meetings (Stevenson, 1999). With colonization the Eurocentric patriarchal notion of males as the heads of households and community was established (Anderson, 2000;Kirmayer et al, 2003;Medicine, 1993;Portman & Herring, 2001). …”

“…First Nations women's health needs to be viewed in a holistic framework that considers multiple levels of oppression, poverty, colonization, and life as a minority in a dominant culture (Portman & Herring, 2001). When compared to non-First Nations women, First Nations women experience a lower life expectancy and more health difficulties; a three times higher rate for diabetes; double the birth rate; three times higher mortality rates due to violence; three times higher rates for admission to hospital for alcohol-related accidents; and five times higher suicide rates (Health Canada, 2002).…”

“…The disassembling of First Nations women's community authority as decision-makers, leaders, producers of food, and caregivers of children was seen to be a deliberate dismantling of the culture (Brave Heart & DeBruyn, 1998). Although a number of First Nations and Non-First Nations women have carried out research on the impact of colonial impositions on the political and economic realms of First Nations (Anderson, 2000;Brave Heart, 2003;Gagné, 1998;Kirmayer, Simpson, & Cargo, 2003;Stevenson, 1999), there is a lack of information about the types of counselling approaches that would be most appropriate in addressing such impacts (Portman & Herring, 2001).…”

American Indian Females and Stereotypes: Warriors, Leaders, Healers, Feminists; Not Drudges, Princesses, Prostitutes

“…Many modern Native American female leaders point to tribal spirituality and traditions as inspiration and justification for their positions as leaders. They argue that taking leadership roles is a way of regaining the prestige and power their ancestors once held, and of assuming responsibility for the welfare of their tribes (Mihesuah, 2003;Portman & Herring, 2001).…”

Women and youth of Wekweeti reveal the impacts of the diamond mines located in the Tlicho region.

“…(p. 63) Portman and Herring (2001) report that Native societies "focused on women but were not entirely ruled by women" (p. 2). They also note that women typically lived many years longer than men and were prestiged as the keepers of cultural knowledge and many female elders were referred to as clan mothers.…”