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For those wondering what a 'cultural romantic' is, it's a type of Canadian attitude towards Indigenous ppl, as defined by thousands of responses to the 2010 Environics Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study, I project whose implementation I led. 1 https://bit.ly/2Kq0FvZ
We describe 4 types of Canadians based on their responses to our survey, and found their attitudes differ on Indigenous peoples: Dismissive Naysayer, Inattentive Sceptic, Cultural Romantic, Connected Advocate. 2
The largest group at 45% were the Cultural Romantics. These ppl are idealistic & optimistic about Indig ppl, they focus on Indig arts/culture above all else. But they don't have Indig friends, have no education on Indig anything, & only informed through selective media. 3
2010 was a while ago now but I have never forgotten these 4 types of Canadian attitudes. I've worked w many Cultural Romantics. They are nice ppl for most part. But they struggle with Indigenous worldviews, they want to romanticize contexts that desperately require more nuance. 4
IMO Cultural Romantics struggle to see value outside of Indigenous arts/culture. Why focus on the negative when Indig ppl are cool & the arts so pretty? I've had to push back hard against these ppl who don't want to hear/talk systemic barriers. They just want the pretty 5
A Dismissive Naysayer tends to view Indig ppl negatively, as entitled & isolated by choice from Canadian society. These ppl are older, they believe the negative stereotypes & actively impose their stereotypes on those around them. 6
An Inattentive Sceptic is uninformed & unaware, they typically think Indig ppl are no different from other Canadians. They think "I've had a hard life - everyone has hard lives - Indig ppl need to get over it". Also informed by media only. Doesn't know any Indig ppl. 7
The final type, Connected Advocate has a high level of contact w Indig ppl. Has Indig friends. Has a strong belief that Indig ppl often experience discrimination as they've witnessed it first hand. 8
You can read more about this in the "Non-Aboriginal Perspectives" chapter of the Environics UAPS. Since then Canadian attitudes have been explored further, you can check out the Environics Institute site for newer reports. I still find all of this fascinating. 9
