Stereotypes = critical issue

Media impact on American Indian public policyProper and realistic representation in the media is crucial for the protection of American Indian peoples' inherent and treaty rights. The way situations and issues are covered—how the media comes to interpret Indian realities—increasingly drives the making of public policy. Issues that can help or wreak havoc on American Indian tribal life are decided not only by reason and precedence, but too often by the clamor of negative public attention.For more on the subject, see The Harm of Native Stereotyping:  Facts and Evidence.