Doctoral Dissertation Research: Native and Non-Native Group Interactions

虽然许多研究都研究了黑人与白人的关系以及新移民融入大城市的问题，但最近很少有人关注土著与非土著的关系。本项目调查了北方安大略一个小镇的原住民、梅蒂斯人和非土著居民在日常生活中如何建造和谈判边界和桥梁。初步观察发现了一个矛盾现象：族群间的婚姻、友谊和协作程度高，但同时存在普遍的偏见和歧视。这一发现似乎违反了社会科学的主流范式，即持续的群体间接触应该打破种族偏见（Allport，1954; Pettigrew Tropp，2006）。为了了解这种矛盾现象背后的机制，研究者采用了三种研究方法，包括18个月的当地志愿团体和社区活动的参与者观察，120个地区居民的深入访谈，以及一个创新的“照片声音”项目（Wang等人，1996年），给12名原住民、梅蒂斯人和白色居民照相机，要求他们拍摄和讨论“身份”和“边界与桥梁”等主题的照片。“这项研究的结果将有助于阐明理论在其他背景下解释种族关系的程度（例如，奴隶制和种族隔离或移民排斥的历史）改善我们对这种情况的理解或需要修改。更广泛地说，北美的未来取决于今天原住民和非原住民修复他们之间关系的能力，这种关系在历史上受到殖民主义和强迫同化政策的破坏。从这项研究的见解可能有实际影响，改善群体互动和克服种族主义的设置远远超出北方安大略，土著和非土著人口在类似的历史背景下共存。

SES-0927042William WilsonJeffrey DenisHarvard UniversityWhile many studies have examined black-white relations and the incorporation of new immigrants into big cities, few recently have focused on indigenous-non-indigenous relations. This project investigates how First Nations, Métis and non-Native residents of a small town in Northern Ontario construct and negotiate boundaries and bridges in their daily lives. Initial observations reveal a paradox: high levels of inter-group marriage, friendship and collaboration appear to co-exist with pervasive prejudice and discrimination. This finding seems to violate the dominant paradigm in social science whereby ongoing inter-group contact should break down racial bias (Allport, 1954; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006). To understand the mechanisms underlying this paradoxical situation, the investigator applies three research methods, including 18 months of participant-observation in local voluntary groups and community events, 120 in-depth interviews with area residents, and an innovative "photovoice" project (Wang et al, 1996) in which 12 First Nations, Métis and white residents were given cameras and asked to take and discuss pictures on the themes of "identity" and "boundaries and bridges." The results of this study will help illuminate the degree to which theories developed to explain race relations in other contexts (e.g., histories of slavery and segregation or immigrant exclusion) improve our understanding in this case or require revision. More broadly, the future of North America depends on the ability of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people today to repair their relationship, historically damaged by colonialism and forced assimilation policies. Insights from this study may have practical implications for improving group interactions and overcoming racism in settings well beyond Northern Ontario where indigenous and non-indigenous populations co-exist in similar historical contexts.