Stereotypes In Avatar

Suhavani Arora Ms. Rajitharan NBE3U1-6 April 08, 2024 Stereotypes: Misrepresentation of Indigenous Identity Many forms of media take inspiration from Indigenous cultures, but sometimes, they oversimplify the cultures by overlooking the diversity and complexity. For example, the movie Avatar, which positions the local species, the Na’vi, as ‘Ecological Indians’ through a simplistic narrative, reinforces misrepresentations. In the movie, one of the main characters Neytiri says, “We are all children of Eywa. She is the goddess of all Pandora. Everything we know, everything we are, comes from her” (Cameron 2009). She also says, “Our great mother does not take sides, Jake. She protects only the balance of life” (Cameron 2009). These two quotes oversimplified

The narrative of Avatar also relies on a colonial theme since it follows a human protagonist who integrates into the Na’vi community and eventually assumes a leadership role in their fight against invaders. This narrative dynamic undermines Indigenous people as capable and independent beings with their own intelligence and abilities. Instead, it suggests that they are incapable of leadership and self-governance without outside intervention, reinforcing the notion that Indigenous people require assistance from others. Considering the implications, it becomes imperative to take action to disrupt stereotypes which would ensure the inclusion of Indigenous people, their voices, and opinions in the filmmaking process, particularly when drawing inspiration from Indigenous history and culture. Chase Iron Eyes, a prominent activist and attorney for the Lakota People’s Law Project, stressed the significance of Indigenous involvement in media creation, emphasizing that contacting Indigenous individuals and organizations would allow for genuine representation and empowerment