Native American cultural identity through imagery: An activity theory approach to image-power

Richard Caneba, Carleen Maitland

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) community stands poised to take control of their cultural imagery and image-power through image-heavy social media platforms. Extant research demonstrates the high level of use of social media in AIAN communities, creating the opportunity to overcome negative representation by mass media in the past. However, despite evidence of social media use for cultural preservation, little is known about the exact ways in which image-power is managed. This exploratory study seeks to illuminate the ways in which advocates are presenting imagery, using a qualitative image analysis of advocates' Instagram posts. Using an Activity Theory framework, particularly the construct of division of labor, we identify a novel taxonomy of imagery categories and advocate roles. The roles, namely Informing, Rallying, Identifying, and Interacting, contribute to our understanding of the relationship between AIAN advocates and imagery, and the mediating effects image-heavy social media platforms and advocate roles have on this relationship. Our findings also contribute to scholarship applying Activity Theory in the study of online communities. In particular, our findings delineate roles among material sharers within the construct of Division of Labor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 9th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development, ICTD 2017
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450352772
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 16 2017
Event9th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development, ICTD 2017 - Lahore, Pakistan
Duration: Nov 16 2017Nov 19 2017

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series
VolumePart F132087

Other

Other9th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development, ICTD 2017
Country/TerritoryPakistan
CityLahore
Period11/16/1711/19/17

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Computer Networks and Communications

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Native American cultural identity through imagery: An activity theory approach to image-power'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this