VIU Student Posters Address Aboriginal Stereotypes And Myths

Stereotypes and myths about Aboriginal people are addressed head-on by 13 Aboriginal students at Vancouver Island University (VIU) who participated in a poster project exploring their personal perspectives.

Each of the posters is titled “What you need to know about me,” and includes a photo of the student, their Aboriginal origin and home community, their perspective on a stereotype that needs to be broken, and a statement defining what they hope to achieve in their education.

Cassidy Caron is from the Métis Nation of BC, and in her poster addressed a stereotype that results from a lack of knowledge held by some people when referring to her distinct Aboriginal group.

“I am Métis, distinct from First Nations through our own culture, traditions and language, and more than a ‘half-breed’,” Caron’s poster says. “Métis means a person who self-identifies as Métis, is of historic Métis ancestry, and is distinct from but in relation to other Aboriginal Peoples.”

A fourth year student who will graduate in June with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in First Nations Studies, Caron says she has encountered many stereotypes about Aboriginal people and appreciates the chance to counter them.

“The more educated people are, the less these stereotypes are going to be spread,” she says.

Leanor Wyse, a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, countered the stereotype that “all First Nations people are drunks and alcoholics.” As a third year student in the Bachelor of Social Work program, Wyse counters this myth with her contention that Aboriginal people can be forces of great change in their communities, particularly when they seek an education.

In her Social Work practicum at VIU’s Aboriginal Gathering Place, Wyse has enjoyed supporting the Aboriginal students who spend time there, and uses every opportunity to encourage Aboriginal young people to pursue post-secondary education.

“My passion is I want to build our Nations, and how we’re going to do that is becoming educated,” she says. “My vision is to build relationships and plant the seeds with children and their families so they want to come to university.”

Posters were created by Aboriginal students from VIU campuses at Powell River, Cowichan and Nanaimo, and displayed throughout public areas in those locations.

“The students demonstrated great courage in stepping forward to share their personal perspectives on hurtful stereotypes they have experienced on these posters,” says Sharon Hobenshield, Director of Aboriginal Education. “I am amazed and encouraged by their willingness to engage in conversations on the myths and stereotypes out there about Aboriginal people. They view this project as a learning opportunity for everyone.”

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Media Contact:


Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University


P:250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca T: @viunews