Stereotype of Aboriginals and Alcohol in Canada

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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Origins of the Stereotype
The Current State of Affairs: Drinking Indians Are Gone
In the Eyes of the World: As Drunk as a Lord
The Existing Means to Fight the Prejudice
A Toast to the Achieved Results
Conclusion: A Long Way to Go
Works Cited

Introduction: The Origins of the Stereotype

It must be admitted that the appearance of specific stereotypes connected with a certain country is completely inevitable, for such stereotypes, predetermined by the specifics of the national culture, traditions and peculiarities, signify the uniqueness of the state and its awareness of its own identity. However, some of the prejudices embracing entire nations are based on the biased approach towards the foreign culture and, hence, harm considerably the reputation of the state, distorting its image in the eyes of the other countries. One of the most striking examples of such prejudices is the stereotype of a “drunken Indian” that still shapes the attitude of different nations towards Canadians.

Therefore, it is necessary to research whether the given prejudice has certain grounds to base on, track the measures that are being currently undertaken to eliminate the stereotype and offer other efficient ideas that will allow to tackle the issue and restore the reputation of the Canadians in the eyes of the rest of the world.

According to the existing evidence, the stereotype concerning the fact that Canadians consume excessive amounts of alcohol is mainly based on the events that took place long time ago. Dragged into the modern life, the given facts are completely out of date, yet people still stick to them. As Knopf claims, the issue is old indeed, stemming from the epoch of colonization, when the settlers lulled the Indians’ suspicions, offering the latter the fire water, and continuing further on as the first Indian reservations were created. As time passed, Native Americans slowly gained control over the state, yet were still addicted to alcohol: “Images of depressed, alcohol-addicted “Indians” on reservation or rich casino owners, relieving non-Natives of a handful of dollars, are quite common” (Knopf 132).

The Current State of Affairs: Drinking Indians Are Gone

It is important to keep in mind that the grounds for the prejudice have been considerably exaggerated. As CBC News clarifies, a historically insignificant event might have led to the current misconception: “The Conservative staffer apparently assumed that because one aboriginal person, possibly a protester, showed up on her doorstep and had been drinking, then she was justified in scolding Matchewan, the lead and sober protester” (CBC News).

However, exploring the grounds for the prejudice concerning the high rates of alcoholism among modern Native Canadians, one must admit that the rumors have much to do with the real state of affairs. Even though the epoch when the Native Americans were separated from the rest of the population and the representatives of the Native Americans are treated equally with the rest of the population, the prejudice concerning the “Drinking Indian” principle is still alive, which gives certain reasons for concern. According to what the results of the recent research certify, the level of alcohol consumption in the country is becoming increasingly great.

In the Eyes of the World: As Drunk as a Lord

Taking a closer look at the issue, one can claim with certainty that the perception of the Native Canadians as the people with the addiction to alcoholic drinks has become even stronger over the years that have passed since the prejudice was born. Considering the recent researches, one should admit that the claims of the people who picture the Native Canadians as people consuming excessive amounts of alcohol have certain grounds to base their prejudices on. One of the first and the foremost reasons for foreigners to consider the Native Canadians addicted to alcohol is the fact that the Native Canadians often use traditional medicine, which involves consuming “spirits,” to treat a number of diseases, as Smillie-Adjarkwa claims:

The Aboriginal way of treating alcohol and substance abuse encompasses more than the biological and experiential explanation provided by mainstream medicine. Traditional healers perceive alcohol as a spirit that has been destructive to Aboriginal ways of life. It is believed that the alcohol “spirits” continually wage war within the spiritual arena and this is where the healing needs to start (Smillie-Adjarkwa).

It is also essential to mark that in modern Canada, even children are subjected to the usage of alcohol drinks, which is further on developed into alcoholism, as most of the researchers emphasize: “When a child is treated negatively in the public school system this treatment can lead to students dropping out or turning to alcohol or other substances to cope with this negative treatment and negative environment” (Smillie-Adjarkwa). Therefore, it goes without saying that the situation in Canada must be tackled. Considering the existing means of handling the situation, one can fin the ways to fight the widespread prejudice and improve the reputation of the country among the rest of the states.

The Existing Means to Fight the Prejudice

It cannot be doubted that the widespread prejudice, as well as the reasons for the latter to be created, can and must be eliminated. With the help of a well-though strategy and the time-tested means to prevent the usage of alcohol drinks by the Native Canadian youth, one can achieve the dropping of the level of alcohol consummation among the latter; moreover, the positive example of the youth might have an effect on the older generation that is still addicted to alcoholic drinks consummation.

It should be admitted, though, that the government is trying to find the way out of the complicated situation, developing various programs aimed at decreasing the level of alcohol consummation among the Native Canadians, as Knopf certifies: “… the Federal Government has set up additional programs (e.g. drug and alcohol abuse-prevention programs)” (55). It is also known that currently, drug and alcohol counselor along with the Native justice worker and the family support worker are researching the problem of alcohol consummation and the means to eliminate it (Knopf 41).

A Toast to the Achieved Results

According to the existing data, considerable results have been achieved since the fight against the “drunken Indian” stereotype began. It is worth marking that, no matter how high the rates of alcohol consumption are now, they have dropped considerably since the outburst of alcohol and drug consumption that started in the 60ies. According to the existing evidence, “There are lots of examples of how community-based healing is helping aboriginal people cope with their histories of abuse and residential schools and various other forms of colonialism, without turning to alcohol or other drugs” (CBC News). However, there can be no doubt that, despite all achievements, Canada still has a long way to go to convince the rest of the countries that the cases of alcoholism among the Native Canadians are rather exceptions than the common rule.

Conclusion: A Long Way to Go

To sum up, according to the obtained data, the prejudice concerning the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages by the Native Canadians has certain grounds and is greatly widespread not only in the other states, but also within Canada, which has its effect on the employment rates of the Native Canadians and their future prospects. Fighting with the reasons that cause alcoholism, one can eliminate the myth of the “drunken Indian” successfully.

Works Cited

CBC News. The ‘Drunken Indian’ Stereotype and Social Healing. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 2008. Web.

Knopf, Kerstin. Aboriginal Canada Revisited. Ottawa, CA: University of Ottawa Press, 2008. Print.

Smillie-Adjarkwa, Christine. “Aboriginal Alcohol Addiction in Ontario Canada: A Look at the History and Current Healing Methods That Are Working in Breaking the Cycle of Abuse.” Indigenous Policy Journal. 2009 Web.

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