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Western Films andNative American
Males
Sarah Staples/ Katie HoulihanOctober 24, 2006
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Native American Roles
Noble Brave Helper Bloodthirsty
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Noble “Savage”
Portrayed as an excellent storyteller
Takes in Jack (Dustin Hoffman) after his family is murdered by the “bloodthirsty” Paw nee
General: Preserves the traditions of the
tribe gives advice spiritual/medicine man Chief Dan George
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The Brave
Warrior Hunter Defender of the tribe
Kevin Costner becomes a brave in Dances with Wolvesbut this appropriation of Native Identity is notnecessarily an accurate depiction of native people.By the end of the film he has assumed a “complete” Native American identity.
This character defends the tribe, goes on the Buffalo Hunt which saves the tribe. He is also the “best” warrior in the tribe.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-387792068807922095&q=buffalo+hunt
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Helper Vs. BloodthirstyThe Last of the Mohicans
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Helper Vs Bloodthirsty The helper aids the white
western heroes in battle Depicted as a“loner” not
belonging fully to either group
This character is found in many older westerns
The “bloodthirsty” Native American role kills white families on the frontier
Kidnaps white women Rapes women No morals, ethics and
is“ruthless”
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Settings for Native Americans
Far out and desolate areas of the frontier
Reservations
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Themes
Native Americans kill, scalp and destroy white people on the frontier
Kidnap white women Uncivilized and stuck in the “primitive”
way of life Vanishing population
– “last” of the mohicans”
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Value Assumptions
Value “mother” earth Don’t believe in
Christian Gods Not educated: often
depicted with broken English a lot of “ums”
Do not value “modern” expansion of the west
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Familiar Resolutions
The “West” expands Native Americans vanish White people live on despite the rough
frontier