Critical Assessment of Media Portrayals of Dog Problems and Solutions in Indigenous Communities in Canada

This paper examines the portrayal of dogs and dog-related issues in Canadian Indigenous communities by the media. While media coverage is instrumental in raising public awareness and influencing health-related policies, it often misrepresents and marginalizes Indigenous peoples. Building on the work of Fraser-Celin and Rock (2022), this paper aims to document how “dog problems and solutions” have been depicted in Canadian media outlets between 2013 and 2023. This paper argues that the media coverage is problematic, largely because the reporting is neither fair nor representative. The research identified and thematically analyzed relevant printed and online reports (n = 130) from 38 different media outlets, both national and local. Our analysis concentrated on the themes identified by Fraser-Celin and Rock (2022). In addition, we performed a thematic content analysis using inductive coding of the media reports, allowing us to identify several additional themes and sub-themes (referred to as topics). The findings suggest that media coverage remains problematic, as it fails to provide fair and representative reporting, focusing disproportionately on dog removal rather than addressing underlying socio-economic and health disparities in these communities. These reports often advocate for non-Indigenous-based solutions, like rehoming dogs, without considering alternative approaches or the broader consequences. They frequently overlook local solutions and reinforce a negative narrative toward Indigenous peoples and their dogs. While some interventions are necessary, it is crucial to recognize their overlooked impacts.