In the fall one of my relatives informed me that she had written a letter to Maplelea Girls doll company, because she found that as a Canadian, her daughter was not being represented in their dolls as a Black Canadian. Maplelea Dolls pride themselves on giving Canadian girls from different backgrounds dolls that look like them and who would have the same cultural traditions and activities that they do.
I was intrigued and decided to contact the makers of Maplelea Girls myself. I gave them some resources for Black history in Canada and mentioned that their are many Black Canadians who take pride in their culture and who appreciate seeing a Black Canadian doll that truly represented them.
Within 24 hours I heard from the President of Maplelea Girls, Kathryn Morton. I really appreciated her prompt response and she told me that Maplelea Girls has plans to bring a Black-Canadian doll to the market in 2012. Needless to say I was super excited. The idea of having a doll on the market in Canada for little black girls, that looked like them and did the things they did was fabulous.
Now here is the best part she would like feedback from the readers of Canadian Curlies and find out what naturals want in a Black Canadian doll. So I’ve created a survey link (see below) and I urge you to make your voice be heard. Be sure to think about what you would like this doll to look like and what persona you would like to have. Let’s give the little ones something we didn’t have a doll like us and share the link with others.
PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO FILL OUT THIS SURVEY – Black Canadian Doll survey.
Blessings and Curls,
Canadian Curlie
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5 Comments
This is a great move! I remember wanting black barbies so much as a child….and they were rare in Canada….if you got one-it was probably the last….and they seemed cheaper than the caucasian barbies. I would love to have this available for my daughter!
Thanks Mey… I really hope this is a move that will help little girls in the future. It’s a small step, but we have to start somewhere right.
Hi there,
I am volunteering in an extremely inclusive and ethnically diverse grade 5 classroom in Toronto, and students have been invited to deconstruct the MapleLea Dolls, and consider how their representation of “real” Canadian girls is limiting. We have taken action by creating our own dolls that are a more accurate representation of the “real” canadian students in the classroom community. We want to write to MapleLea as well, and I am wondering if you could provide us with a sample of the letter that your friend submitted, so that I can use it to model an authentic persuasive writing action. This would help students write their own individual responses. We would really appreciate your help! You can reach me at cookmaranda@gmail.com or just post it on our facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/groups/328514387180776/
Thank you!
My class and I are also writing about this issue. We have done a study about that website for a month, interpreting different perspectives, the need for a diverse focus group and representation of true Canadian children from “coast to coast!” If you look on Facebook for our work (Grade 5) to create dolls that are not only ethnically diverse to be representative of different Canadian children, but representative of both genders also: Canadian CulturALL Dolls. Students conducted research about the demand for different skin tone and gendered dolls. They also commented on realistic facial features and body types and hair types. They also commented on the price point being exclusive too. Their focus for the project was Canadian identity, inclusion and student voice. Quite fascinating and powerful as students have a voice, are taking action and are partaking in critical thinking. I look fwd to hearing from you on our Facebook page. Cheers.
Sheri, Toronto, ON
sorry, Canadian CulturALL Dolls