1. Western Films and Native American Males Sarah Staples/ Katie Houlihan October 24, 2006

2. Native American Roles w Noble w Brave w Helper w Bloodthirsty

3. Noble “Savage” w Portrayed as an excellent storyteller w Takes in Jack (Dustin Hoffman) after his family is murdered by the “bloodthirsty” Paw nee w General: w Preserves the traditions of the tribe w gives advice w spiritual/medicine man Chief Dan George

4. The Brave w Warrior w Hunter w Defender of the tribe Kevin Costner becomes a brave in Dances with Wolves but this appropriation of Native Identity is not necessarily 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

5. Helper Vs. Bloodthirsty The Last of the Mohicans

6. Helper Vs Bloodthirsty w The helper aids the white western heroes in battle w Depicted as a“loner” not belonging fully to either group w This character is found in many older westerns w The “bloodthirsty” Native American role kills white families on the frontier w Kidnaps white women w Rapes women w No morals, ethics and is“ruthless”

7. Settings for Native Americans w Far out and desolate areas of the frontier w Reservations

8. Themes w Native Americans kill, scalp and destroy white people on the frontier w Kidnap white women w Uncivilized and stuck in the “primitive” way of life w Vanishing population –“last” of the mohicans”

9. Value Assumptions w Value “mother” earth w Don’t believe in Christian Gods w Not educated: often depicted with broken English a lot of “ums” w Do not value “modern” expansion of the west

10. Familiar Resolutions w The “West” expands w Native Americans vanish w White people live on despite the rough frontier