Western Films andNative American

Males

Sarah Staples/ Katie HoulihanOctober 24, 2006

Native American Roles

Noble Brave Helper Bloodthirsty

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

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

Helper Vs. BloodthirstyThe Last of the Mohicans

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”

Settings for Native Americans

Far out and desolate areas of the frontier

Reservations

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”

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

Familiar Resolutions

The “West” expands Native Americans vanish White people live on despite the rough

frontier