smoke signals essay

             Today many cultures and races are still greatly affected by something that has happened to their people in the past. Native American people especially are greatly affected by their past. One great film that really exemplifies this is Smoke Signals. In The film Smoke Signals there are many images and ideas shown throughout the film that really capture the ideas behind Native American culture. Two big themes throughout the film are Native American history and Native American stereotypes. There are many times during the film where the characters in the film struggle with the stereotypes of their culture. As well as finding power and meaning behind the history and traditions of the Native American culture.

               In the movie Smoke signals the characters in struggle with circumstances and ideas having to do specifically with Native American history and Native American stereotypes in a few ways. One way that Thomas and victor struggle with this is when they are on the bus and the white men steal their seats and then just laugh at them when they try and get them back. They are treated like this because through history the whites have always kinda ruled the Indians so these men felt like they did not need to respect Thomas and Victor.

              There are times during the movie where Thomas and Victor find power and meaning in their Native American culture. One way they find meaning in their culture is by telling stories. This takes place throughout the whole movie not just one part. They use their culture of story telling throughout the whole movie when Thomas is always telling Victor stories about his dad. Their culture came in handy when they were trying to get to Arizona because they needed a ride and traded a story for a ride with two girls in their Reservation. They use their Native American History in another positive way but it's not really powerful it is just  to keep their spirits up. They always make jokes about their Indian history, one specific time they show this is when Thomas is trying to sign something and Victor says "no Thomas don't you know Indians hate signing papers." These are some of the specific ways the characters showed power and meaning in their Native American culture. 

 The characters in the film struggle with the stereotypes of their culture. As well as finding power and meaning behind the history and traditions of the Native American culture. Throughout the film there are many images and ideas that help to further show how greatly affected Native Americans are by their past. Native Americans were greatly mistreated in their past and it is very evident that it is still affecting the way many Indians Live their lives today.