Indigenous arts and culture publication MUSKRAT Magazine by BBDO Canada along with a group of Indigenous creators is retelling the story of Pocahontas with the launch of the 'Missing Matoaka' project. The Indigenous team of creators includes Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee-Cree writers from Chippewas of the Thames and the Michel Band, Poundmaker Cree and Métis voice talent, with a member of Oneida Nation of the Thames overseeing creative development.
Missing Matoaka is "a project that confronts dangerous stereotypes of Indigenous women by telling the true story of Pocahontas - or to use her real name, Matoaka." The darker true story depicts the first documented missing and murdered First Nations woman. To hear the truthful tale, play Pocahontas on mute with this new audio track. Pocahontas/Matoaka was only 10 years old when she first encountered John Smith. Unlike the false narrative, she didn’t abandon her people. Instead, the European invaders kidnapped Matoaka and held her hostage. She was sexually assaulted and forced to marry one of her captors as a condition of her release. However, instead, she was paraded around Europe as an example of successful colonization. She died at the age of 20 from disease/poisoning fleeing England.
"MUSKRAT Magazine is thrilled to help share the Missing Matoaka project and unveil the real story of Pocahontas," says Rebeka Tabobondung, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of MUSKRAT Magazine and member of the Wasauksing First Nation. "We believe that Indigenous stories must be told through the lens and voices of Indigenous people who bring a necessary truth to centuries of misrepresentation and destructive colonial whitewashing."
Directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians, it calls for "proactive steps to break down the stereotypes that hypersexualize and demean Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, and to end practices that perpetuate myths that Indigenous women are more sexually available and less worthy than non-Indigenous women because of their race or background."
Truthful Indigenous Retelling Efforts
BBDO Canada is Retelling the Story of Pocahontas
Trend Themes
1. Truthful Indigenous Retelling - The trend of Indigenous communities taking ownership of their own history and retelling their stories in a truthful and respectful manner.
2. Confronting Stereotypes of Indigenous Women - The trend of Indigenous content creators confronting dangerous stereotypes of Indigenous women through impactful storytelling.
3. Indigenous Representation in Media - The trend of increasing Indigenous representation in media through Indigenous-led projects like the Missing Matoaka initiative.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Entertainment - There is an opportunity for media and entertainment companies to prioritize Indigenous-led projects and increase Indigenous representation in their content.
2. Education - There is an opportunity for schools and universities to incorporate truthful and respectful Indigenous history into their curriculum.
3. Social Services - There is an opportunity for social service providers to work with Indigenous communities to address harmful stereotypes and practices that perpetuate myths about Indigenous women.