Native Americans have been living on American soil for quite some time now. They were here before the European settlers. They have been here and continue to be here in the United States. However, the way the media portrays Native Americans does not allow the truth about Native Americans to be told. Only misinterpretations of Native Americans seem to thrive in the media. It seems that the caricature of Native Americans remains the same as when first seen by the eyes of the early settlers: wild-looking people. Their culture and identity have been marginalized by popular culture. This is most evident in the mainstream media. There is a lack of Native American presence in mainstream media. There is a lack of Native American characters in various media outlets. When they are represented, they are misrepresented. They are easily one of the most underrepresented cultures and people in American media. Native Americans should not be confined to a stereotype, should have a greater presence in the media, and should not be misrepresented when presented. The stereotype of Native Americans has been invented for a long time. Like any stereotype built on physical appearance, early European settlers were no different and used this method. Strangers to the New World, they realized that the land was not uninhabited. Native Americans were a strange people who didn't dress like them, didn't talk like them, and didn't believe like them. Then they wrote down what they observed. They observed a primitive people with an unorthodox religion and lifestyle. These observations made transatlantic waves. Without knowing it, the early settlers had broadcast the first instances of stereotypical Native Americans to the masses. This perpetuated t... middle of paper... means that the media would stop missing the presence of Native Americans in their productions. The limited presence of Native Americans translates into the limited ability of Native Americans to express their perspectives. To get a fuller picture of Native Americans, the media must avoid misrepresenting the race when they are featured. Presenting Native Americans as a race of savages only causes more people to believe this misinterpretation. The media must become more knowledgeable about Native American culture, feature more Native Americans in their productions, and portray a clearer picture of a people who have suffered from being portrayed as primitive. The media should never be responsible for interpreting the image of a particular race; it should serve to inform people more accurately. More informed people create a better society.