CAN CONTACT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?: EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF CONTACT ON NON-ABORIGINAL PEOPLE’S ATTITUDES TOWARD ABORIGINAL PEOPLE

Abstract

Utilizing survey data collected through the City Planning and Indigeneity on the Prairies (CPIP) Project in the summer of 2014 this thesis examines what, if any, affect contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people has on non-Aboriginal people’s racial attitudes. Two hypotheses are tested: contact with Aboriginal people reduces new and old-fashioned racism attitudes amongst non-Aboriginal people; and contact has greater effect on the racial attitudes of those with lower education levels than those with higher education levels. Key findings indicate that both hypotheses are in fact correct but each with its own caveats.