[View the story "First Nations say #notyourstereotype" on Storify ]First Nations say #notyourstereotype Canada's indigenous challenge negative stereotypes. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Mar 20 2014 11:51:58
One of the original photos (later removed from Instagram):
@UofRegina @UofRCheer @CBC_Aboriginal #abpoli #yqr UofR Cheer team Cowboys&Indian battlescene #culturalappropriation
http://t.co/hLzM5oguQc ᐅᓵᐃᐧᐱᔦᓰᐢ ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ
Chasity Delorme, a Cree student from the Treaty 4 Territories in Canada, posted the challenge to her
Facebook page on Monday after seeing that the cheer squad's photo that went viral:
I AM NOT YOUR STEREOTYPE! I want to educate the culturally insensitive people that still exist in my community. I challenge ALL Aboriginal/First Nation people to take a picture as they are at the moment of being nominated for this challeng...e and hash tag with the following tags. And created your own. I AM NEHIYAW... #notyourstereotype #notyourmascot #notyourtonto #notyourpochantas #uofrcheerteam #geteducated I nominate the following to post your pic and hash tag and nominate away! This is my kind of 2014 Winter Challenge! And this is what being indigenous looks like.See More
Within hours of her post, many began to respond:
#notyourstereotype #notyourtontoinstagram.com
Thanks Savannah Elizabeth McKenzie a Great nomination challenge by Savannah to help educate our communities about who indigenous people are we are not anyone's stereotypes #notyourstereotype #notyourPocahontas #iammétis #notWagonburner #notyourmascot #proudtobeindigenous take a picture as soon as you get your nomination let's show everyone what being indigenous looks like I nominate Donna Henderson Toni Bouchey Adrienne Thomas Greg Monias Shey SpenceCameron Clifford Flamand
#notyourstereotypeKathleen Farley
#Notyourstereotype I don't wear buckskin but my ancestors did! idk why #UniversityofRegina cheerleaders see me as a historical object.. I look modern don't you think?! I AM ANISHINAABE/SAULTEAUX (OJIBWAY) & NEHIYAW (CREE)!! RACISM HURTS BUT CALLING THEM OUT FEELS BETTER! #ChallengeRacismEverywhere I challenge you all facebookers to counteract racism with accepting differences! Spread the Not Your Stereotype Challenge like we did for 2014 Winter challenge!Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie
In addition to photos, some also shared characteristics about themselves to show the diversity of the indigenous community:
I AM NOT YOUR STEREOTYPE! I want to educate the culturally insensitive people that still exist in my community. I challenge ALL Aboriginal/First Nation people to take a picture as they are at the moment of being nominated for this challenge and hash tag with the following tags. And created your own. I AM NEHIYAW... #notyourstereotype #notyourmascot #notyourtonto #notyourpochantas #uofrcheerteam #g...eteducated I nominate the following to post your pic and hash tag and nominate away! And this is what being indigenous looks like. I have been told I look black, Malado, in all honesty…I am CREE/ Lakota/ Sami/ Cherokee/ and a wee bit Scot & black...I am Big Bear’s Granddaughter from two family lines…I KNOW who I am because it is in me…and NO government or people outside of my tribe will identify me only I will do that. THANK YOU! This is my challenge to you…. I am NOT your stereotype…I am First Nations and Native American. I am educated (Honor Thesis then Masters in the Fall). I will NEVER be your stereotype! I nominate..Wab Kinew Ryan McMahon A Tribe Called Red George Leach Dion Tootoosis Brad Bellegarde Nicole Akan Shane Keepness Jacob Pratt Cadmus Delorme Jac Anaquod Haris Comedian Khan Feather Kaitlin Pewapisconias Ntawnis Elyse Piapot Simon Bird Naomi Thunderchild-Bird Nelson Bird Judy Bird Jaime Akpaoyoscehas Carrie Bourassa Don Burnstick Chad Illmatic Anderson Rachel Janze Annie Brass Candy Renae Fox Joely BigEagle Creeson Agecoutay Alina Perrault Wavell StarrSee MoreKatryna Smith
God loving, married and committed, educated and employed, successful, grateful, proud Metis couple #notyourstereotype
http://t.co/aAONUKUkCwChris Belhumeur
One netizen shared how the indigenous community is portrayed by Hollywood:
Getting real tired of your racist ish, Hollywood. #NotYourTigerLily #NotYourTonto #NotYourStereotype
http://t.co/KLqhvom1vTtara zhaabowekwe
Delorme told The Stream she hopes the
#notyourstereotype challenge will show the world that Canada's indigenous are "everyday people that have a passion, especially about their culture and the way it's portrayed in their community, nation and world".
The University of Regina has
issued an apology for the photos and said the cheer squad will receive sensitivity training.
