Interpersonal contact and attitudes towards indigenous peoples in Canada's prairie cities. Issue 7 (27th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lashta, Erin; Berdahl, Loleen; Walker, Ryan
• Is Part Of: Ethnic and racial studies. Volume 39:Issue 7(2016)
• Page Start: 1242
• Page End: 1260
• Publication Date: 2016-05-27
• Subjects: Contact theory -- racial attitudes -- racism -- indigenous -- aboriginal -- Canada; Race -- Periodicals; Race relations -- Periodicals; Ethnic groups -- Periodicals; 305.805
• DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2015.1105989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-9870

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Research finds that non-indigenous peoples often hold negative racial attitudes towards indigenous peoples. Contact theory suggests that interpersonal contact can positively influence majority group members' attitudes regarding minority group members, raising the question of whether indigenous population growth in cities will alter non-indigenous peoples' attitudes. Using original 2014 survey data, this paper examines the relationship between interpersonal contact and racial attitudes in Canadian prairie cities. The analysis finds that while personal ties to aboriginal peoples are correlated with lower new and old-fashioned racism scores, general contact with aboriginal peoples only correlates with old-fashioned racism scores. As such, growing urban indigenous populations – and thus increased aboriginal-non-aboriginal general contact – alone should not be expected to result in positive racial attitudes. This research advances understanding of contact theory by considering how education interacts with interpersonal contact, and informs on-going dialogue about current racial relations between non-indigenous and indigenous peoples in Canadian prairie cities.