Yellow Bird: Diversity in media

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2002

"In our region, some in the media say getting into reservation communities is difficult, and the problem is exacerbated by an invisible perimeter called the reservation border. Others say getting an interview was easy, but the end product sometimes is debated for accuracy.

The reservation line also lets the media "stay away." We, as reporters, can point to the border and say tribal governments are difficult to interview or even to get an interview scheduled. So, reporters can blame some unfair coverage on the media's inability to get inside the doors of the council or the houses of the people on the reservations.

The limited coverage encourages stereotyping of American Indian people. Stereotypes about Native people, especially about Native people on reservations, are as common as beaded earrings. One example is the casino myth. "Reservations," many say, "are becoming rich from gambling." Even though that is untrue of most tribes, many hold it to be an unbending truth.

Why should we care about diversity in the media or getting that difficult story?"

Get the Story:
Dorreen Yellow Bird: Media should present multicultural views (The Grand Forks Herald 2/5)