Blackfoot Barrel Racing Barbie carries a message
February 11, 2002 - Mattel Barbie dolls are a pop-cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of young girls the world over--but that influence has not come without a fair share of controversy.
Critics of the dolls have long argued that Barbie causes girls to develop unrealistic and unhealthy body images.
But a University of Alberta professor is focusing on another aspect of the Barbie pop-culture phenomenon that she feels deserves attention. According to Native Studies professor Dr. Pat McCormack, the limited line of Native Barbies produced reflect and reinforce traditional stereotypes about the lives of Native women.
"'Mainstream' Barbies include a wide range of models. These Barbies can be almost anything. They reflect the range of possibilities for middle-class, affluent North American women. But the Native American Barbies line presents a classic 'Pocahontas' image. Nothing else," McCormack said.
McCormack made her argument this weekend at a lecture at the U of A entitled "Deconstructing Barbie".
In the spirit of constructive criticism, McCormack devised a doll that would more accurately reflect the lives of Native women. The result? "Blackfoot Barrel Racing Barbie," laughs McCormack. "It's a bit of a quirky way to demonstrate a serious point."
'Blackfoot Barrel Racing Barbie' is decked out in blue jeans, cowboy boots and denim shirt, looking every bit the part of a modern, rural, Blackfoot woman. "Doing this jogs peoples' minds. It reminds them that Native women right now across North America are involved in every profession under the sun," said McCormack.
McCormack also argues that this phenomenon has real impact on things such as museum collecting strategies.
"Museums across Canada have historically collected items that reflect the kinds of stereotypes represented by Native American Barbies. They should be collecting items that reflect the daily lives of modern Native peoples," McCormack added.
Susan Berry, Curator of Ethnology at the Provincial Museum of Alberta, said that evolution is already happening. "We're committed to collecting a broad range of materials that reflect the diverse and complex realities of aboriginal lives," she said.
As examples of Native materials recently collected, Berrie cited an antiquated and well-used frying pan from an Alexis woman who had worked in a lumber camp and a 'Harold Cardinal' election campaign sign from the 2000 federal election. But old stereotypes die reluctantly, Berry said.
"You do have to work extra hard and keep your eyes alert and open for these kinds of items," she said. "There will always be a preponderance of older material that people will hold onto and donate because that's what they view as important. That will be with us for many years."
Calls to Mattel for comment were not returned.
Related link – internal
The U of A School of Native Studies Web site: http://www.ualberta.ca/~nativest/home.htm
Related links – external
The U of A Museums and Collections Web site: http://www.museums.ualberta.ca
A descriptor of the Mattel Native Barbie Line on the Web: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/LeftBank/8788/natvabarb.html
