A frame in sociology
A frame in sociology is essentially a group of tales and stereotypes that individuals use to interpret diverse situations. The term "media framing" describes how the media might employ these elements to influence the public's perception and comprehension of a news story (Liu and Blomley). The media greatly influences how the public perceives events occurring throughout the world, yet frequently, this perception is not as true as the public believes.
Framing analysis and the study of missing and murdered women
Thus, framing studies is a field of study that examines how people perceive and understand their surroundings. Study framing is important for a variety of reasons. In the case of the study of missing and murdered women, framing analysis was important for multiple reasons. Kristen Gilchrist studies a case of six women, three of these women are white and the other three are aboriginal women. She uses qualitative and quantitative methods to carry out her study, that is, she counts and compares the number of times the victims are mentioned and also looks into the placement of each victim’s article in the newspapers. It is discovered that the representation of aboriginal women oscillates between invisibility and hypervisibility, unlike the young, attractive white women from good families who are generally considered to be ‘newsworthy’ (Sociology 310). Yasmin Jiwani and Mary Lynn Young believe that the murder and disappearance of women did not get the attention it deserved. In their opinion, had a similar number of soldiers died at war, the media and generally the country would have given the situation more attention. In conclusion, it is apparent that the media controls a lot of what people’s opinions and their perception of different situations all over the world. It is thus important to carry out framing analysis in order to shine light on the angles that are seldom given attention, like I the case of the disappearance and murder of aboriginal women.
Living conditions of Indigenous people in Canada
In the first statement, James Anaya simply points out the unfulfilling lives without opportunities the indigenous people in Canada lead on their traditional lands yet they are endowed with natural resources. Victoria Lean bravely travels to Attawapiskat, Ontario to look into the challenges these people face. From the interviews she conducts, it is clear that the indigenous people lead horrible lives in rather abysmal conditions. They have dirty schools which are not up to standards as they lack the very basic resources, including teachers. Their houses are extremely small, and are in many cases home to more than one family.
Exploitation of natural resources and its impact
In his next statement, Anaya says that these natural resources are in most cases extracted and targeted for development by people who do not have the indigenous people’s interests in mind. The aboriginal community signed an IBA with the mining company in order to minimize the extent of environmental degradation and other negative effects of mining. However, in the film it is clear that the mining company is constantly undermining the living conditions of the indigenous community. The community has small houses full of mould as a result of mining which translates to poor health and thus higher mortality rate.
The risks faced by the indigenous community
Anaya goes ahead and says that although the indigenous community can gain from mining, they are faced with greater risks such as health risks. The likes of chief Theresa Spence anticipated better living and even better opportunities when they heard of De Beers. However, contrary to her expectations, the mining company led to poor health and not much economic change was witnessed. The De Beers mine lies on one of earth’s greatest wetlands, the mining thus poses great threat to the environment these lands. These are just but a few of the risks the Attawapiskat, Ontario residents are exposed to (Lean, After The Last River).
Efforts of indigenous nations and the need for change
Lastly, Anaya says that maybe the indigenous nations’ efforts are often futile due to the non-indigenous companies’ and provincial governments’ need to take a step forward in the exploitation of natural resources. These nations are faced with various challenges that ought not to go unheard. Victoria Lean’s film, After The Last River opens a window for the world to get a glimpse at the abysmal conditions the residents of Attawapiskat are forced to live in.
The cycle of oppression
The cycle of oppression is made up of interrelated components which include: fear of difference, stereotype, prejudice, discrimination, institutionalized oppression, and internalized oppression.
Marie Clément's The Road Forward
In Marie Clément’s The Road Forward, she points out all these components of the cycle of oppression through music. She says it is her desire to have everyone understand the reality behind the building of their country. In the documentary, she shows the world how difficult life was for the natives as they had to constantly deal with racism and discrimination.
Importance of resistance movements
The viewer gets a chance to witness discrimination and racism in the scene where Cheri Maracle goes to look for a job. She is unable to find a job due to the colour of her skin. In another scene, she is denied the right to check into a hotel until she gets unexpected help. Through the film, the audience gets an opportunity to see how hard it was for the aboriginals after they were denied the right to hunt which led to their living conditions which were and still are generally worse than that of others (Clements).
The power of voices and the documentary's impact
The viewer also gets the chance to witness the importance of resistance movements. Not only did they fight for the rights of the aboriginal people but also made sure their voices were heard. A good example of such an instance is when Maisie Hurley found The Native, a newspaper for the indigenous tribes. Throughout Marie Clements’ documentary, we see the characters grow to be able to have their own voices and proudly fight for their fellow aboriginals. Marie Clements’ documentary is one that educates the public on the part of history that is often overlooked despite its importance.
Challenges faced by millennials in Fort McMurray
Julia Ivanova’s film, Limit Is the Sky focuses on six millennials from all over the world, including Africa who come to Fort McMurray in search of better lives. However, these millennials are faced with road blocks that make their dreams seem impossible to achieve. In the case of Max, a Lebanese refugee is unable to get a good paying job and thus, disillusioned, opts to be a barber instead. Another case is the case of Mucharata, a woman from Philippines who came to Fort McMurray to work as a nanny but ends up being a heavy machinery operator.
The struggle for a better life
Throughout the film, the viewer is able to connect with these millennials in their quest for better lives. They lack people they can identify with and this makes it harder for them. Although efforts were being made to give them a community to make their lives easier, the transient workers rejected this suggestion (Ivanova).
Growth and change
Throughout the film, the viewer sees the various characters grow and at some point their dreams are no longer the same. After the plummeting oil prices and threats of wildfires, the characters find themselves in a rather tight spot. At the end of the documentary, Julia says that she hopes that they realize that their destiny is not to stay in McMurray.
References
After The Last River. Dir. Victoria Lean. 2015. Web.
Limit Is the Sky. Dir. Julia Ivanova. Perf. Max Prince Gee, Patrick Hampton and Sable Jean. 2016. web.
Liu, Sikee and Nicholas Blomley. “”Ghetto”or ”Fragile Community” Media Framing Matters.” Making News and Making Space: Framing Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (n.d.): 3-4. Print.
Sociology 310. “Factors Influencing News Media Reporting Disappearance.” Framing Analysis (2017): 2-3. Print.
The Road Forward. Dir. Marie Clements. Perf. Patti Allan, Imajyn Cardnal and Marion Erickson. 2017. Web.
