Lethbridge Polytechnic, Ninastako Cultural Centre launch study on Indigenous misinformation
The partnership will draw on Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators and students to examine how false narratives about Indigenous people spread and how to counter them.
Why it matters
The research aims to produce practical tools for Lethbridge-area communities to counter harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people.
Lethbridge Polytechnic and the Ninastako Cultural Centre have formed a partnership to research misinformation affecting the Indigenous community. The project, run through the polytechnic's Centre for Public Safety Applied Research, will examine how misinformation spreads, the harm it causes, and possible ways to address it.
The initiative, called 'Working Together' when translated from Blackfoot, will involve a broad range of community members including Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leaders, educators and students, who will provide input into the analysis.
Dr. Kirsten Fantazir said misinformation and harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people persist in media, online spaces and everyday conversation. She said the project aims to engage directly with Indigenous communities to hear from those affected by misinformation, with the goal of developing culturally relevant tools and resources to build better understanding of Indigenous Peoples.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.