Smoke Signal Movie

There are naby stereotypes about contemporary Native Americans expressed in the film "smoke signals." First, the way they talk and the accents given could be portrayed as a stereotype. The characters in the movie all have long hair and the same physical appearance. Thomas even had his hair braided and Victor says a "man aint nothing without his hair." The movie showed a Native American radio progranm with its lack of a real traffic report and none of the modern technology.

Another stereotype in the movie was all the chanting and singing that occured. It also expressed the Native Americans connection with nature such as wind and birds. The movie displayed the stereotype of Native American gender roles with the woman cooking and taking care of the house. This displayed male dominance and power.

Throughout the movie they made references to signing papers, hinting at Native American treaty agreements, Indian trading, bardering, and oral traditions, or passing down of stories. At one point in the movie the boys were on the bus and white cowboys wouldn't move. This made a reference to territorial disputes and whites versus Native American conflicts. In the movie it leaned towards all Native Americans living on reservations and not using much transportation but walking everywhere.

Lastly, the movie portrays a lot of drinking, names associated with war, and the stereotypical way that a Native American is suppose to act or behave.