Smoke Signals

The portrayal of Natives in media and literature has evolved from the Westerns with John Wayne, to modern movies like Dances With Wolves, Reel Injun, The Fast Runner, and Smoke Signals. The media has played a large role in creating the Native identity including the stereotypes surrounding Natives. Smoke Signals did a good job in recognizing those false stereotypes and then breaking them down through humor and drama. The first stereotype that we see is the idea of a "drunk indian" and escapism. When Victor says that he has not had a drop of alcohol in his life and the sheriff responds "Then what kind of Indian are you?" (Eyre).  Natives also have a stereotype of being a warrior, this was created by media and has since shaped native culture. The Cour d'Alene, the tribe that Victor and Thomas are a part of are peaceful yet Victor says "Quit grinning like an idiot. Indians aint supposed to smile like that! Get stoic, like this. You gotta look mean or people won't respect you"(Eyre).

Throughout Smoke Signals the relationship and history between Native nations and the United States is seen through a Native perspective. At the beginning of the movie an American flag is displayed upside down representing conflict. However, towards the end of the movie the American flag is not shown representing that things have gotten better. The movie also uses red, white and blue as symbols in what characters are wearing or what they are around. Also when Arlene is splitting fry bread and there is an American flag behind her it shows that America could have been. The Fourth of July in Smoke Signals is also portrayed as a day when bad things happen. It is ironic that they even celebrate it in the first place. Smoke Signals made an accurate statement on the previous and current treatment ofNatives in the United States.