Imagining the Indian Film Screening

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Conference

Imagining the Indian: The Fight Against Native American Mascoting is an award-winning documentary that examines the movement that is ending the use of Native American names, logos, and mascots in the world of sports and beyond. The film details the current uprising against the misappropriation of Native culture that harms indigenous children by reinforcing and spreading stereotypes, impeding the critical process of positive cultural identity development, and making indigenous children and their families unseen and unheard. Experts discuss the research evidence that directly links the experience of these images to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, suicide, and other mental health inequities that disproportionately affect indigenous youth. Participants learn advocacy strategies and concrete steps for ending Native mascoting, while promoting positive cultural identity development and experiences to promote positive development.