Kids and Culture: How Wisconsin Educates about the First Nations

By Harsimar Kang, Contributing Author

Image Source: PBS Wisconsin

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I have always been a proud PBS kid. Watching Mister Rogers tie his shoes to reading with LeVar Burton provided many hours of engaging but enriching content to my young mind. PBS Wisconsin is leading the charge about providing educational and fun content for and about marginalized populations. PBS Wisconsin has partnered with Wisconsin First Nations to create online videos and educational resources that highlight Indigenous cultures and histories in the state. Videos like "Electa Quinney: Mohican Teacher and Mentor share the history about important Native figures and traditions.

Media absolutely plays a role in which social groups understand themselves and their identities. Minority children in particular benefit from positive representation on screen. This is important as experts state that the relative invisibility of Native Americans, for example, on the screen leads to narrow identity prototypes and evokes self-stereotyping. When children see characters who look like them or who share their experiences, they receive the message that they are important, valuable, and deserve to be seen. Furthermore, seeing their culture, traditions, or language represented on screen can cultivate a sense of pride and connection to their heritage. Representation doesn’t just benefit children who identify with minority groups; it also helps children from all backgrounds develop empathy and understanding for others. When kids are exposed to diverse characters and stories, they’re more likely to appreciate different perspectives and recognize the value of diversity. This can reduce feelings of isolation among minority children and encourage positive, inclusive social interactions, which benefit the mental well-being of everyone involved.

The necessity for representation is pertinent now more than ever. Data presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services demonstrated disturbing mental health trends with high rates of anxiety and depression among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native youth compared to non-Hispanic White youth. And using CDC data from 2021, the death rate for suicide among adolescent American Indian/Alaska Native females, ages 15–19, was demonstrated to be more than five times higher than for non-Hispanic white females in the same age group. Feelings of isolation and decreased social connectivity absolutely play roles in children’s mental health and wellbeing overall.

This educational content provides parents with an opportunity to use a child’s love of screens for some good. Other great Wisconsin-specific content regarding Native American history includes “The Ways,” which was created in partnership with the Wisconsin Media Lab. The site features Indigenous community members, and teaches kids about cultural practices, beliefs, and languages directly from community voices. And for our gamer-kids, the Wisconsin First Nations created a game called Growing Up Ojibwe: The Game to provide a different element of interactive storytelling. No matter the format or the identity of the viewer, online content promoting further education and understanding of Native cultures offers youth further enrichment and sense of belonging in the world.

References:

1. Leavitt, P. A., Covarrubias, R., Perez, Y. A., & Fryberg, S. A. (2015). “Frozen in Time”: The Impact of Native American Media Representations on Identity and Self‐Understanding. Journal of Social Issues, 1, 39–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12095

2. Mental and Behavioral Health - American Indians/Alaska Natives . (2024, November 1). Office of Minority Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mental-and-behavioral-health-american-indiansalaska-natives